Kynard Jr., Kendricks continue to reach new heights

Olympic medalists add to legacies in high jump, pole vault by defending crowns in Albuquerque, increasing national championship streaks to nine and six, respectively

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Erik Kynard Jr. established a high jump standard Saturday never seen before at the USATF Indoor Championships.

Sam Kendricks added to a pole vault legacy shared with only one other American male athlete at Albuquerque Convention Center.

Both Olympians extended their streaks of national indoor titles in New Mexico, again positioning themselves for similar success in June at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento.

Kynard became the first athlete to win five consecutive indoor high jump titles with a clearance of 7-6.50 (2.30m), just off his season best Feb. 18 of 7-7 (2.31m) at the Muller Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham, England, which ranks No. 5 in the world this year.

He has captured the past nine national high jump championships, including four outdoor crowns, dating to 2013.

Kendricks, competing in his only indoor meet of the season, won his third consecutive title by clearing 19-2.25 (5.85m), equal to the No. 3 mark in the world this year. The Olympic bronze medalist became the first U.S. male athlete since Don Bragg (1958-61) to win at least three straight indoor championships.

Kendricks also joined 1950s star Bob Richards as the only American male pole vaulters to win at least three consecutive titles indoors and outdoors.