Bryce Barkdull Vaults His Way Gatorade POY

Andover Central's senior-to-be Bryce Barkdull has won the school's first Gatorade POY award. Bryce is the fourth field event athlete in a row to win the award.


HIGHLIGHTED STATS

1ST - 17FT, 1IN
CLASS 5A MEET - POLE VAULT

1ST - 17-6.25
SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH RELAYS - POLE VAULT

1ST - 16-11.5
NIKE OUTDOOR NATIONALS - POLE VAULT



ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

The 6-foot, 165-pound junior won the Class 5A individual title in the pole vault this past season, clearing 17 feet, one inch to set a new meet record. At the mid-season Shawnee Mission North Relays, Barkdull cleared a career-best 17-6.25 to win the event and set a new state record. That mark ranked No. 2 nationally among prep boys in 2023. He set the state meet record by successfully negotiating over 17-1. He also won gold at Nike Outdoor Nationals this spring with a clearance of 16-11.5.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Barkdull has maintained a weighted 4.11 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

EXEMPLARY CHARACTER

Barkdull has donated his time locally by serving on the Andover Central Athletics Advisory Leadership Committee.



"Bryce Barkdull elevated himself into the national elite for pole vaulters this spring. Bryce broke the meet record in winning the Kansas state title, then grabbed the gold medal at the Nike Outdoor Nationals meet. A remarkable campaign for a guy who still has another scholastic season to go."
 - Rich Gonzalez
     editor of PrepCalTrack.com