University of Toronto Athletics

Third-year pole vaulter Townsend Benard cleared a personal best and CIS-leading 5.02 metres to claim the silver medal at the 2012 York Open on Saturday afternoon.

This is Benard second consecutive personal-best performance after clearing 4.86m at Toronto’s Fred Food Classic two weeks ago.

The St. Catharines, Ont., native cleared a personal best 4.92m on his third attempt and went onto do the same thing at the 5.02 mark.

Benard’s 5.02-metre clearance currently leads all CIS pole vaulters, with the next best performance coming in at 4.75 metres.

MBNA believes that with personal drive and the right kind of support, someone who thrives on the playground can one day ascend the podium. MBNA is a long standing affinity partner of the University of Toronto, providing the U of T MasterCard® to over 50,000 students and alumni. Congratulations to the MBNA Athletes of the Week.