Jan. 15, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Following one of the world's top pole vault performances this season, Ole Miss sophomore Sam Kendricks was tabbed Southeastern Conference Co-Men's Field Athlete of the Week by the league office on Tuesday.

Kendricks, who hails from Oxford, Miss., shattered his own school record with a mark of 18-1.75 - his career best for indoors or outdoors - to overwhelm the competition at the UAB Blazer Invitational on Friday.

His vault is tied for the best by an American this indoor season and ranks among the top-10 in the world. He is tied for second among NCAA pole vaulters.

Without missing on any attempts, he established new meet and facility records at the Birmingham CrossPlex and broke his previous school indoor record (17-6.5) by more than half a foot. He is the only Ole Miss pole vaulter ever to clear 18 feet and has now done so both indoors and outdoors.

Kendricks, who shared this week's honor with Arkansas jumper Raymond Higgs, received an SEC weekly award for the third time in his career. He was a two-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree in 2012.