Texas Tech University Athletics
Thompson Receives Big 12 Weekly Award
February 24, 2016 | Track and Field
Kyle Thompson's 10th attempt on Friday put him at No. 10 in the NCAA and third in the Big 12 this season.
Feb. 24, 2016
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Senior Kyle Thompson has been named the Big 12 Men's Track & Field Athlete of the week after posting a career-best performance last Friday at the Arkansas Qualifier.
Thompson's path to a new PR & No. 10 rank in the NCAA:
5.12m/16-9.5 - ?
5.22m/17-1.5 - ???
5.32m/17-5.5 - ??? (PR)
5.42m/17-9.25 - ??? (PR)-- TTU Track & Field/XC (@TTU_TF_XC) February 20, 2016
Thompson put together the best outing of his career in the men's pole vault in Fayetteville on Friday, Feb. 19. After clearing his opening height of 5.12m/16-9.5 on his first attempt, his lucky number became three, successfully getting over the bar on his third attempt at each of the next three heights. Sailing over 5.32m/17-5.5 was an indoor-best, but his clearance of 5.42m/17-9.25 was an all-time PR among both indoor and outdoor competition.
"I am so proud of Kyle Thompson," Texas Tech head coach Wes Kittley said. "Our fifth-year senior is leading us in his last season of eligibility in indoors. He has gotten better and better and is one of the toughest vaulters that I've ever had.
"I wish for him to have a great next two meets to finish his career off as a Red Raider."
Thompson's 10th jump of the day on Friday put him at No. 10 in the NCAA this season, a great spot to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 11-12 in Birmingham, Alabama. His mark was also the fourth-best in school history and is half an inch from the conference-leading mark.
Thompson and the Red Raiders turn their focus to the Big 12 Indoor Championships on Feb. 26-27 in Ames, Iowa, looking to add more hardware to the Scarlet & Black trophy case.
Players Mentioned
