Rio Olympics 2016: Sam Kendricks' earns first U.S. pole vault medal since 2004

Sam Kendricks (Getty Images) Sam Kendricks couldn't out-jump the best pole vaulter in the world, but he will bring home a medal from his first Olympics.

The U.S. Army Reserve second lieutenant from Mississippi took bronze Monday night at a height of 5.85 meters (19 feet, 2 1/4 inches) for the first U.S. medal in the event since 2004.

Home favorite Thiago Braz da Silva of Brazil took gold in his first Games, stunning world-record holder and defending Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie with an Olympic-record height of 6.03 meters (19 feet, 9 1/2 inches). He is the first Brazilian ever to win a pole vault medal.

The U.S. dominated the pole vault for decades, winning gold in every Olympics from…