California track & field pole vaulter Kai Anderson has been named the ACC Men's Freshman of the Week for his performance in the Golden Bears' first meet of the outdoor season, as announced by the conference Tuesday.
 
After being named Second-Team All-ACC in the indoor season, Anderson posted an impressive outdoor debut at the Cal Invitational last Saturday with a second-place mark of 5.20m (17-0.75). He is currently ranked in a tie for No. 16 in the NCAA and No. 2 in the ACC, as well as the conference's top freshman and No. 2 rookie nationwide.
 
This marks the first time in history that three Cal pole vaulters have won a conference weekly award in the same season, with Anderson's classmate Sam Novak earning the Men's Freshman of the Week award twice and First-Team All-American Ali Sahaida receiving a Women's Field Athlete of the Week nod. A Bear pole vaulter has won four of the team's five ACC weekly awards this year, with the lone exception being thrower Pietro Camilli's Men's Freshman of the Week honor in January.
 
Anderson and the Bears will be back in action this week in Los Angeles, competing at the Bob Larsen Distance Carnival (Friday) and Jim Bush Legends Meet (Saturday).
 
ACC Track & Field Athletes of the Week – March 24, 2026
Men's Track – Jamir Brown, Syracuse
Men's Field – Matthew Prebola, Duke
Men's Freshman – Kai Anderson, California
Women's Track – Aniyah Kitt, Clemson
Women's Field – Kaia Tupu-South, Louisville/Adriana Kruzmane, Miami
Women's Freshman – Nancy Cherop, Clemson
 
2026 ACC Weekly Track & Field Awards – California Honorees
Sam Novak – Men's Freshman, Jan. 20
Pietro Camilli – Men's Freshman, Jan. 27
Ali Sahaida – Women's Field, Feb. 10
Sam Novak – Men's Freshman, Feb. 10
Kai Anderson – Men's Freshman, March 24
 
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