Samuel Reed Kirk, a high school teacher for 30 years who set two world records in the pole vault while he was a University of Redlands student, died on Feb. 3, 2021. He was 79.
In 1961, he earned the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic League record at 13 feet, 5 inches. In 1963, he was the University of Redlands school record holder at 15 feet, 1 1/4 inches. In 1964, at the Fresno Relays, Sam took first place in the College Division pole-vaulting at 16 feet, 3 inches, the best in the world at that time. He tried out for the 1966 Olympics pole vaulting team at 17 feet, 1 inch, a world record.
