Pat Manson (born November 29, 1967) is an American retired pole vaulter, best known for winning three gold medals at the Pan American Games in 1991, 1995 and 1999. He also finished sixth at the 1997 World Championships in Athletics in Athens. His personal best was 5.85 meters (19 ft 2 in), achieved in September 1994 in Tokyo.

Manson grew up in Aurora, Colorado where he attended Aurora Central High School. He was an All-American vaulter for the Kansas Jayhawks track and field team, placing runner-up in the pole vault at the 1989 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships, 1989 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, 1989 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and 1990 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships.

He finished third behind Simon Arkell and Tim Bright at the British 1993 AAA Championships.

In 2017, his son and daughter both surpassed his freshman best mark vaulting for Monarch High School.

Achievements

YearCompetitionVenuePositionNotes
Representing the United States
1986Pan American Junior ChampionshipsWinter Park, United States2nd4.80 meters (15 ft 9 in)
World Junior ChampionshipsAthens, Greece1st (h)5.00 meters (16 ft 5 in)
1991Pan American GamesHavana, Cuba1st5.50 meters (18 ft 1 in)
1995Pan American GamesMar del Plata, Argentina1st5.75 meters (18 ft 10 in)
1997World ChampionshipsAthens, Greece6th5.70 meters (18 ft 8 in)
1998Goodwill GamesUniondale, United States3rd5.70 meters (18 ft 8 in)
1999Pan American GamesWinnipeg, Canada1st5.60 meters (18 ft 4 in)
World ChampionshipsSeville, Spain14th (q)5.55 meters (18 ft 3 in)

External links