Robertson Is The World Leader In The High Jump This Year
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After achieving the world’s best high jump this year at the Florida Relays, Ole Miss junior Ricky Robertson was named the Southeastern Conference Men’s Field Athlete of the Week, while Sam Kendricks was tabbed the SEC Men’s Freshman of the Week for his pole vault victory in Gainesville.
Robertson jumped a school-record 7-7.25 on his first and only attempt at the height, edging France’s Mickael Hanany (7-7) for the best jump in the world this year and dramatically improving the position he already held as the NCAA high jump leader. His winning leap also set the Florida Relays and Percy Beard Track records that had stood since 1993. In addition to his high jump exploits, the Hernando, Miss., native also ranks fifth in the NCAA in the triple jump this season.
This is Robertson’s second athlete of the week honor from the league office this outdoor season, and he received the honor once during the indoor season. The five-time All-American and five-time SEC champion has collected six weekly accolades in his career.
Kendricks captured his first collegiate pole vault title with a personal-best 17-8.5 in Gainesville. The Oxford, Miss., native now ranks second in school history in the pole vault with the best mark ever by a freshman at Ole Miss. His mark of 17-8.5 ranks him eighth nationally and third among all freshmen in the NCAA this year.
This is the first SEC weekly honor for Kendricks in his brief college career.