California track & field rookie pole vaulter Sam Novak has been named the ACC Men's Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. This is the first weekly award given to any Golden Bear track & field athlete this season, following a year in which Cal picked up four indoor and seven outdoor ACC honors.
 
Novak's collegiate debut at the Spokane Sports Showcase saw him win the pole vault competition in a battle that came down to him and fellow first-year teammate Kai Anderson, both surpassing the school freshman record of 5.07m (16-7.5) set by Ryan Shuler in 2007. With a top mark of 5.25m (17-2.75) to claim victory, Novak also rose into a tie for No. 6 in program history, as well as this season's No. 4 overall entry in the ACC and No. 3 by a freshman nationwide. He also made three attempts at 5.40m (17-8.5), which would have been a lifetime best by two inches.
 
"That was one of the best opening performances I have ever had from a freshman vaulter," said assistant coach Dan Lefever, who coaches the vertical jumps and multi-events groups. "Attempting a lifetime best in his first collegiate meet is a big indication of his future potential."
 
Novak is the first Cal athlete to earn an indoor freshman of the week award and the second to earn the honor indoors or outdoors, joining sophomore teammate Brandon Cheeks II (March 2025) in that category. He and the Bears will be back in action this Friday and Saturday at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
 
ACC Track & Field Athletes of the Week – Jan. 20, 2026
Men's Track – Jamir Brown, Syracuse
Men's Field – Jeremiah Nubbe, Virginia
Men's Freshman – Sam Novak, California
Women's Track – Shenese Walker, Florida State
Women's Field – Ashley Callahan, Louisville
Women's Freshman – Nafy Thiam, Florida State
 
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