EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Army reservist Sam Kendricks now gets to represent his country in a whole new way.
On the Fourth of July, the second lieutenant captured the pole vault crown with a U.S. Track and Field Trials record jump that earned him an Olympic spot for Rio. He proudly waved around his red, white and blue flag — with a little extra vigor, too.
"I love to have the colors (of the flag) in my hands," Kendricks said. "I'm lucky and I'm very thankful for the grace to befall on me that I get to do this and compete for my country.