University of Minnesota Athletics
2020-21 Men's Track & Field Roster
Ekhardt Van der Watt
- Class:
- Junior
- Position:
- Pole Vault
- Hometown:
- Vredenburg, South Africa
- High School:
- Paarl Boys' HS
2021 Indoor Track & Field • Junior Season: Competed in pole vault at five meets • made B1G debut, placing fourth in pole vault with an indoor career-best mark of 5.15m (16-10.75) at the Big Ten Indoor Championships • won pole vault at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational • finished as pole vault runner-up at the Husker Triangular.
2021 Outdoor Track & Field • Junior Season: Competed in pole vault at five meets • cleared a career-best 5.25m (17-02.75) to tie for 28th at the NCAA West Prelim and move into a tie for seventh among all-time Gophers • placed sixth in pole vault (5.22m, 17-01.50) at the Big Ten Championships • won pole vault at the Wisconsin B1G Invitational • ended the season tied for seventh in pole vault (5.25m, 17-02.75) among all-time Gophers.
2020 Indoor Track & Field • Sophomore Season: Competed in the pole vault during the 2020 indoor season • recorded three top-10 finishes, including clearing a season-best mark of 4.86 meters (15-11.25 ft.) to finish 10th at the Iowa State Classic • came in fourth at the Jack Johnson Classic and fifth at the Minnesota Cold Classic • indoor season ended on March 12, 2020, when the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions and championships because of COVID-19 public health concerns.
2020 Outdoor Track & Field • Sophomore Season: The 2020 outdoor track & field season was canceled on March 12, 2020, when the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions and championships because of COVID-19 public health concerns.
2019 Track & Field • Freshman Season: Began college career at the University of Missouri-Kansas City • competed in pole vault at two meets during the indoor season • finished second for the Roos in pole vault at the 2019 WAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, clearing 4.94m (16-02.50) • won pole vault at the Northwest Open (Maryville, Mo.) • competed in pole vault at two meets during the outdoor season • finished as pole vault runner-up at the Wichita State Herm Wilson Invitational.
High School: A graduate of Paarl Boys' High School.
Personal: Native of Vredenburg, South Africa • son of Lukas and Medeleine • has two siblings, Lukas and Etisma • brother Lukas competes in track & field at Kent State after also beginning his college career at the University of Missouri-Kansas City • Agriculture and Food Business Management major.
| Van der Watt's Indoor Career Bests (2020-21 Final) | ||
| Event | Mark | Meet (Date) |
| Pole Vault | 5.15m, 6-10.75 | Big Ten Championships (2/27/21) |
| Van der Watt's Outdoor Career Bests (2020-21 Final) | ||
| Event | Mark (All-Time Rank) | Meet (Date) |
| Pole Vault | 5.25m, 17-02.75 (AT-T7th) | NCAA West Prelim (5/26/21) |
