Hamm Sets Record for Pole Vault

Scottsboro Pole Vaulter Maddox Hamm Clears 18 Feet

(Photo courtesy /milesplit / Mary Ann Magnant)

Marla Jones, Sports Editor

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia–Scottsboro junior Maddox Hamm, became the first Alabama high schooler to clear 18 feet with an 18-01 leap in the first outdoor meet of the season, and also cleared 18 feet again at the Adidas Track Nationals Indoor Championships last weekend at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

He won the event by clearing 18 feet, 0 ½ inches to become the first high schooler since 2018 to clear that height in the Nationals. He now stands tied for No. 2 in the U.S. all-time indoor competition alongside Zachary Bradford of Bloomington, Illinois, who cleared the same height at the 2018 New Balance Nationals.

Wildcats Coach Luke Robinson’s standout vaulter came into the competition at Virginia Beach at 16 feet, 11 ¾ inches, and cleared on his first try after all other participants had attempted out. He then cleared at 17-06 on his second attempt and then raised the bar to 18-0 ¾ inches and also tried three attempts at 18-4 ½, which would have been the World U18 record for the event.