Shawn Barber heads to the XXXI Summer Olympic Games in Rio after winning the men's pole vault at the Canadian Championships

2016 Jul 18

Former University of Akron All-American Shawn Barber of Kingwood, TX (77339), punched his ticket to the XXXI Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, winning the men's pole vault at the Canadian Championships and Rio Selection Trials.

Barber surpassed a Canadian Championships record with a height of 18-4.75 (5.61m) to easily win the competition.

"A little nerve-racking with weather system changes," Akron head track and field coach Dennis Mitchell commented. "Warm-ups started off with great conditions, but by the time it was his turn to come in the weather had deteriorated. This added to the drama. Like a professional, Shawn was able to make the adjustments necessary to win and break a meet record. Most important was that he put the final stamp on his going to Rio."

"I'm super excited to go to Rio and compete in the Olympics," said Barber. "Now everything we are focusing on from this point forward is doing our best at the Olympic Games."

Barber opened his competition eclipsing 17-0.75 (5.20m) on his initial jump of the afternoon.

Barber eclipsed 17-8.50 (5.40m) on his third and final attempt, before clearing his winning height, 18-4.75 (5.60m) on his first run at the height.

The qualifying rounds in the men's pole vault at the Olympics will take place on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 7:20 p.m. ET. The finals of the pole vault will be contested on Monday, Aug. 15, at 7:35 p.m. ET.