Warmerdam, Cornelius (1915-2001), an American athlete, became the first great pole vaulter in track and field history. He was the first man to pole vault 15 feet (4.57 meters). He made his first outstanding vault in 1940, when he reached 15 feet 1 1/8 inches (4.60 meters). In 1942, he soared 15 feet 7 3/4 inches (4.77 meters), a world record that lasted for 15 years. He held the United States indoor record pole vault of 15 feet 8 1/2 inches (4.79 meters), from 1943 to 1959. Because this was made indoors, it could not be counted a world record. Warmerdam retired from competition in 1946 after he had pole vaulted to 15 feet in 43 meets. He was born in Long Beach, California.
