Brenden Vanderpool Breaks Pole Vault Records at CARIFTA Games

renden Vanderpool made history at the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games, breaking a 36-year-old national record held by his father and also setting a new CARIFTA record in the pole vault event. He cleared an impressive 5.06m, nearly a meter higher than his previous year’s performance of 4.35m. Vanderpool’s coach and mentor is his father, who was proud to witness his son’s achievement. Tyler Cash, another Bahamian, won the bronze medal in the same event.

Despite the remarkable feat, many fans left the stadium after the under-20 boys 4×100 meters (m) final, missing out on the mixed 4x400m relay and the open boys pole vault final, where The Bahamas won both events. The 18-year-old Vanderpool still has a year of eligibility left at the CARIFTA Games, and is expected to go for a third straight CARIFTA title at the next games in St. George’s, Grenada.

Vanderpool was overjoyed with his performance and thanked his coach and parents for their support. He called it an honor to break his father’s national record, and hopes to inspire other young Bahamian athletes.