By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN pole vault national record holder Brenden Vanderpool continues to carve out his own path in the pole vault event at Samford University.

He had a standout performance in the men’s pole vault event at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Vulcan Invite in Birmingham, Alabama, over the weekend to be named the Southern Conference (SoCon) Men’s Field Athlete of the Week. 

Vanderpool, who currently owns both the indoor and outdoor pole vault national records, cleared 5.53m (18’-01.75) for a first-place finish in the event. 

His showing was not only a  personal best performance but also the 10th best mark in the nation this season and just the second best distance for indoors in the programme’s history.

Additionally, the 19-year-old eclipsed his previous pole vault (indoors) national record of 5.45m, achieved at the 2024 Samford Open at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama. 

The Samford Bulldogs rounded out the top three for the event. Samford junior Carter Ellis finished in second place at 5.15m (16’-10.75). His teammate Jed Sisco got the final podium spot at 5.00m (16’-04.75).

Samford also had a successful showing in the women’s pole vault event. Sophomore Antonina Tereshenko claimed second place at 3.76m (12-04.00). 

First place went to Memphis’ Joycelyn Crum at 3.86m (12-08.00). The final top spot went to Kayley Stanley, of Jacksonville State. She cleared 3.66m for third overall.

Prior to Vanderpool’s winning performance at the UAB Invite last Friday, he made his season debut at the University of South Alabama Jaguar Invitational on February 2. He placed fourth in the event with his attempt of 5.03m.

Vanderpool will be one to keep an eye on as the Samford Bulldogs return to competition at the 2025 Samford Bulldog Invite at the Birmingham CrossPlex on February 14-15.