Former Olympic pole vaulter, world champ Shawn Barber dies at 29

The University of Akron Department of Athletics announced Thursday the death of former Zips standout Shawn Barber.

Barber, a world champion pole vaulter, Olympian and three-time NCAA champ during his time at Akron, died at his home Wednesday in Kingwood, Texas, from medical complications. Barber was 29.

UA said Barber had fallen ill and had been experiencing poor health for some time.

“More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself,” his agent, Paul Doyle, told the Associated Press on Thursday. “It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.”

Dennis Mitchell, the former Akron men's and women's track and field and cross country coach, described Barber to the Akron Beacon Journal on Thursday as "extremely smart" and "the nicest guy ever."

Barber, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, competed for Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, finishing 10th. He won three NCAA Division I pole vault championships as a member of the Akron track and field program from 2013-2015.

Barber became the first male individual national champion in Zips history, capturing the 2014 NCAA Division I indoor championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Barber then won both the NCAA Division I indoor and outdoor titles in 2015, clearing 19-4¾ in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and 18-4½ in Eugene, Oregon, respectively, en route to becoming a finalist for both the Bowerman and Sullivan awards. 

His winning clearance on his final attempt at the 2015 NCAA indoor championships broke not only his own collegiate record, but also set a then-NCAA championship meet standard that bested Jacob Davis' record of 19-2¼ set in 1999.

Barber won the 2015 IAAF World Championship in Beijing, China, with a clearance of 19-4¼, topping defending world champion Raphael Holzdeppe of Germany, France Olympic champion and world record holder Renaud Lavillenie and Poland stars Piotr Lisek and Pawel Wojciechowsk. He earned the gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada with a winning jump of 19-¼.

Barber's best vault was 19-8¼ on Jan. 15, 2016, in Reno, Nevada. The mark remains the Canadian record.

Barber is survived by his mother, Ann; father, George; and brother, David.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.