NCAA Record-Breaker Decides Leaving Now Affords Best Chance Of Making Olympic Team

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Baylor pole vaulter KC Lightfoot announced his intention Monday to leave the college system, turn pro, and begin training for a chance to make the U.S. Olympic team. 

Lightfoot, 21, competed twice outdoors this spring after winning the NCAA Division 1 Indoor championship title March 13 in Fayetteville, Ark. 

Lightfoot scaled an NCAA indoor record Feb. 13 with a 6-meter clearance (19-8.25) at the Texas Tech Shootout. Armand "Mondo" Duplantis cleared the same height outdoors in 2019 for LSU before turning pro.

Lightfoot has won 14 consecutive pole vault competitions in the past 15 months, after tying for 15th place at the 2019 World Outdoor Championships with an 18-4.50 (5.60m) clearance in Doha, Qatar.