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RIO DE JANEIRO -- It was a special Monday night in Brazil for Ole Miss alum Sam Kendricks, who captured a bronze medal in the mens pole vault at the 2016 Olympic Games.In a dramatic competition that came down to three final vaulters, Kendricks rose to the occasion by clearing 5.85 meters (19-2.25) on his first try. He had three very close attempts at 5.93m/19-5.5, while Brazils Thiago Braz da Silva claimed gold with an Olympic record mark of 6.03m and defending champion Renaud Lavillenie of France won silver with a clearance at 5.98m.Kendricks is the first American man to win an Olympic medal in the pole vault since 2004, and hes the third Ole Miss track & field representative to medal at the Olympics. Brittney Reese, who will compete Tuesday, was the womens long jump gold medalist in 2012. Tony Dees was the silver medalist in the 110-meter hurdles in 1992.Before Mondays competition began, Kendricks dedicated his performance to the six Oxford citizens who died in a plane crash over the weekend, and the children and families they left behind. By many accounts, his performance in Rio was a healing balm the town of Oxford needed after such a tragic occurrence.The hundreds of fans that watched him from the Square in his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi, cheered him on with fervor as each bar was raised a bit higher. He is the first Olympian from the small town in which he grew up, graduated from both high school and college, and still lives and trains.Kendricks was lauded by NBC commentators and across the social media landscape for his great sportsmanship and class, as he was seen congratulating his opponents and cheering for each competitor throughout the night.I know that the Olympics is like a high tide, it raises all boats and it brings the best out of all of us, Kendricks said. I was so happy to watch my friend Thiago [Braz] set his personal best in his home country in front of his home crowd, and I think that I thrived off of that as well.I did not set a personal best but I attempted it. I missed it very close three times, so I cannot be ashamed of my effort. Im very proud of my bronze medal, what me and my coach (father and Ole Miss alum Scott Kendricks) and my family have achieved. This particular competition was a lot of fun for me - I knew all of the competitors by name, theyre all good friends of mine. Weve traveled together and have competed together many times. We even trade victories very often.Its been an impressive rise to international prominence for Kendricks, who was a two-time NCAA champion and two-time SEC champion in three seasons at Ole Miss. Since turning pro, he has won five U.S. pole vault titles, set a U.S. Olympic Trials record earlier this summer, was ninth at last years IAAF World Championships and runner-up at this years IAAF World Indoor Championships in March.Another former Rebel also competed and advanced on Monday. Nigerias Antwon Hicks ran a 13.70 in his heat of the 110-meter hurdles to move on to Tuesdays semifinals.Hicks and Reese will both compete Tuesday, as Reese will begin her gold medal defense with the womens long jump qualifying round.On Sunday night, one of Kendricks former Ole Miss teammates, Ricky Robertson, represented Team USA in the mens high jump qualifying and placed 17th with a clearance at 2.26m/7-5. The top 15 qualifiers advanced to the final.Peter Fairbanks Rays Jersey . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Oliver Drake Rays Jersey . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/716i-travis-darnaud-jersey-rays.html . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Tampa Bay Rays Pro Shop . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Kevin Kiermaier Jersey . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons.LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska receiver Jordan Westerkamp was hospitalized Saturday after suffering an injury in the third quarter of the 15th-ranked Cornhuskers 31-16 win over Illinois.He was later released and no additional information was available about his condition.Westerkamp appeared to absorb a hit to his lower back after catching a 6-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong Jr. on third-and-3 early in Nebraskas 75-yard touchdown drive that used more than 10 minutes of clock to put the Huskers ahead for good.Westerkamp was hospitalized to make sure they checked everything out, coach Mike Riley said after the game.After the reception, his fourth of the game, the senior clutched his back and immediaately waved for trainers.dddddddddddd Teammates gathered around him before he walked slowly off the field.Asked if he thought Westerkamp was OK, Riley said, I want to think that.I just say that because I really dont know any more, the coach said. I shouldnt say one more word than that.Westerkamp has made a reception in 31 straight games, one game shy of second place in school history. His 142 receptions rank fourth all time at Nebraska, one catch from equaling 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers. He also ranks fourth in career receiving yardage with 2,176. ' ' '