Sarah Lindenthal: A Comprehensive Biography of Cal Poly Pomona’s Multi-Event Standout
Early Life and High School Career
Sarah Lindenthal, born and raised in Mission Viejo, California, discovered her passion for track and field at Mission Viejo High School. Excelling in multi-events, she showcased early versatility across sprints, jumps, and throws. Her standout performances in the high jump (5’3”) and hurdles laid the foundation for her collegiate career, earning recognition in Southern California’s competitive track scene.
Collegiate Career at Cal Poly Pomona
Lindenthal joined Cal Poly Pomona in 2021, quickly establishing herself as a cornerstone of the Broncos’ track and field program. Specializing in the heptathlon, she became renowned for her technical prowess and consistency across seven disciplines.
Key Achievements
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2024 CCAA Championships: Set a program record in the high jump (1.69m/5’6.5”), ranking 10th in school history and securing an NCAA provisional qualifying mark.
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2025 CCAA Championships: Earned third place in the heptathlon with 4,430 points, contributing to Cal Poly Pomona’s team victory.
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Personal Bests:
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High Jump: 1.69m (5’6.5”) – ranks 8th in the NCAA West Region (2024).
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Long Jump: 5.49m (18’0.25”) – wind-legal.
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Shot Put: 9.75m (32’0”).
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Heptathlon: 4,430 points (2025).
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100m Hurdles: 14.88s (+2.5 m/s).
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Notable Performances
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2025 Pomona-Pitzer Invitational: Won the high jump (1.60m) and placed 5th in the long jump (5.43m).
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2025 Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational: Cleared 1.61m in the high jump and ran a 27.43s 200m.
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2024 Beach Opener: Clocked a 200m PB of 27.31s and jumped 1.56m in the high jump.
Technical Profile and Training
Lindenthal’s success stems from her balanced skill set:
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High Jump: Employs a Fosbury Flop technique refined through rigorous technical drills.
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Long Jump: Utilizes a 12–14 stride approach, optimizing speed-to-lift conversion.
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Endurance: Trains for the heptathlon’s grueling 800m, with a personal best of 2:36.78.
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Recovery: Integrates cryotherapy and physiotherapy to manage the physical demands of multi-events.
Academic Pursuits and Personal Life
Lindenthal balances athletics with academic excellence:
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Education: Pursuing a B.S. in Pre-Veterinary Studies and an M.S. in Animal Science at Cal Poly Pomona, aiming to merge her passion for athletics with animal welfare.
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Advocacy: Active on Instagram (@sarah.lindenthal), sharing insights into heptathlon training and recovery while promoting academic-athletic balance.
Challenges and Resilience
Lindenthal’s career has been marked by perseverance:
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Injury Management: Overcame setbacks through adaptive training and mental resilience, notably during the 2024 season.
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Academic-Athletic Balance: Juggled rigorous STEM coursework with elite competition, earning recognition as a CCAA All-Academic honoree.
Legacy and Future Trajectory
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Program Impact: Helped Cal Poly Pomona secure back-to-back CCAA team titles (2024–2025) and mentored younger athletes in multi-events.
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Olympic Aspirations: Targets qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, focusing on surpassing the 4,500-point barrier in the heptathlon.
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Post-College Goals: Aims to combine her veterinary expertise with sports science, advocating for athlete and animal well-being.
Conclusion
Sarah Lindenthal embodies the scholar-athlete ideal-a tenacious heptathlete, academic achiever, and role model. From Mission Viejo’s tracks to CCAA podiums, her journey underscores the synergy of discipline and versatility. As she eyes Olympic dreams, Lindenthal’s legacy at Cal Poly Pomona resonates as a testament to resilience, proving that multi-event athletes can excel both on the track and in the classroom.
Go Sarah!
