University of Toronto Athletics

Third-year pole vaulter Townsend Benard cleared a personal best and CIS-leading 4.86 metres to claim gold at the 2012 Fred Field Classic on Saturday afternoon at the University of Toronto.

Benard, who met the CIS standard with his vault, entered the competition at a height of 4.36 metres and nailed it on his first attempt. 

The St. Catharines, Ont., native went onto clear heights of 4.51, 4.61, 4.71 and 4.76 metres before vaulting his personal best 4.86 metres on the first attempt.

Benard’s 4.86-metre clearance currently leads a field of 36 CIS pole vaulters, with the next best performance coming in at 4.61 metres. Watch it live here!