The University of Akron Athletics
Barber-Kendricks renew rivalry at Akron Pole Vault Convention
January 08 | Track & Field
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AKRON POLE VAULT CONVENTION COMPETITION SCHEDULE | WATCH LIVE (FRI) | WATCH LIVE (SAT)
AKRON, Ohio - A budding pole vault rivalry will be renewed on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the third-annual Akron Pole Vault Convention at the Stile Athletics Field House as the past three NCAA champions in Akron junior Shawn Barber (Kingwood, Texas) and Sam Kendricks, formerly of Ole Miss, stage what is expected to be another epic showdown during the elite pole vault competition that will take place starting at 7 p.m.
Coming off breaking the collegiate pole vault record last weekend with a jump of 19-3 (5.87m) to win the Texas Expo Vault competition in Belton, Texas, Barber will make his official 2015 Akron debut in the prestigious event against a talented field of 13 elite pole vaulters.
Barber and Kendricks have finished either first or second, respectively, at the past three NCAA Championships (2013 Outdoor, 2014 Indoor and 2014 Outdoor).
The two competitors first met at the 2013 NCAA Indoor Championship in Fayetteville, Ark., where Barber finished fifth as freshman en route to earning All-America honors with a clearance of 18-0.5 (5.50m). Kendricks, then a sophomore at Ole Miss, jumped 18-4.5 (5.60m) to place third.
At the Texas Relays that season it came down to Barber and Kendricks to decide the winner of the event. Both men cleared 18-8.75 (5.71m) with Barber needing three attempts and Kendricks two to do so. Barber failed to clear the next height, 19-0.75 (5.81m), while Kendricks did so on his first attempt to win the title.
The two met again at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., where they waged a battle along with Oral Roberts' Jack Whitt to determine the national title. Barber and Whitt each cleared 18-4.5 (5.60m) on their first attempts, while Kendricks needed two attempts to surpass the mark. At 18-6.5 (5.65m), Barber was unable to clear the bar in each of his three attempts, while Kendricks passed at the height. Kendricks then jumped 18-8.25 (5.70m) to win the national title. Barber earned All-America accolades for the second time with his third-place performance.
The bar figuratively and literally was raised last season as the duo took their rivalry to another level.
The duo met up at the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., with the competition again coming down to their efforts to determine the winner.
It appeared as if Kendricks had the upper hand in the competition clearing 18-8.25 (5.70m) on his first attempt. After failing to surpass the mark on his first attempt, Barber strategically passed on his final two attempts at the height. The gamble paid off for Barber, who jumped past 18-10.24 (5.70m) on his first try to win the national title after Kendricks was unable to clear the mark in each of his three opportunities. The career-best mark smashed his own Canadian National record and again claimed Barber All-America honors.
Their final battle as collegians came again at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
In a similar fashion to the NCAA Indoor Championships three months earlier, it appeared one competitor had earned the victory before his opponent snatched the triumph from defeat.
Barber looked destined to win the national title after clearing 18-6.5 (5.65m) and seeing Kendricks miss on his first attempt at the height. Kendricks took his own gamble in the competition passing on his final two attempts at the height. It paid off as he surpassed the bar at 18-8.25 (5.70m) to win his second-consecutive outdoor national title. Barber garnered All-America accolades for the fourth time for his efforts.
The two finished first and second, respectively, at the Texas Vault Expo last Saturday, Jan. 3, so the stage is set for another classic battle at the elite pole vault competition this Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Akron Pole Vault Competition. The runway will be cleared for takeoff beginning at 7 p.m. at the Stile Athletics Field House. Fans can purchase tickets at the door for $6.
With Barber holding dual United States and Canadian citizenship and Kendricks, an American, this sets up to be the continuation of a rivalry that may culminate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the finals of the 2016 Olympics.
Players Mentioned
