Ricardo Montes de Oca sets new national pole vault record in the United States
Internet
Published at: 07/04/2026 02:41 PM
Venezuelan Ricardo Montes de Oca set a new absolute national record for outdoor pole vaulting during a university circuit competition in the United States, where he reached a mark of 5.68 meters.
The 19-year-old athlete surpassed his previous record of 5.45 meters achieved at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción 2025. The progression was consolidated after validating 5.28, 5.43 and 5.58 meters in its first attempt, after omitting the initial heights of 4.98 and 5.13.
The 5.68 meter jump won him the silver medal in the event, placing behind Matthew Gray, representative of Appalachian State, who finished with 5.73 meters.
With this result, Montes de Oca rises to the top of the Division I ranking of the National University Athletics Association (NCAA).
Mazo News Team