Brandon Richards- Pole Vault

The Coach

Texas Track & Field Coaches Association

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Brandon Richards, an American track and field athlete born on February 6, 1967, made his mark in pole vaulting, following in the footsteps of his father, Bob Richards, a double Olympic Gold Medalist in the same event. Brandon held the national high school pole vault record, a legacy shared with his brothers who also excelled in the sport.

Beginning his vaulting journey at just five years old, Brandon's talent blossomed, culminating in a remarkable high school career. At the age of 18, he soared to a height of 18 ft 2 in (5.54 m), a record-breaking achievement that stood for 14 years as the highest vault by a high schooler. His prowess extended indoors, where he set an Indoor pole vault record at 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m), second only to Pat Manson's subsequent mark.

Notably, Brandon's high school record-setting jump occurred at an All-comers track meet in Eugene, Oregon, rather than during official high school competition. Despite his incredible abilities, he opted not to compete for his San Marcos High School team during his senior year.

After high school, Brandon continued his pole-vaulting journey at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he ranked among the top vaulters in school history. His personal best of 18 ft 4.5 in (5.601 m) remains the Richards family record, although it didn't reach the heights of Olympic-level vaulters.

Brandon Richards' legacy in pole vaulting is a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication to the sport, solidifying his place in track and field history.