Thomas Hinkes dies at 86; vault world champion jumped at ABQ

From left at 2011 worlds are Tom, wife Sandy, Jerry and Christel Donley and Manfred Konopka.

Thomas Hinkes, a longtime masters vaulter, died July 19 from complications of cancer, his friend and rival Jerry Donley reports and legacy.com confirms. “Shortly before his death, he was still vaulting with younger people while on vacation in Logan, Utah,” Jerry writes. “His most recent major competition was at the 2016 National Indoor Championship in Albuquerque, NM in the 85-89 age group (where he took silver). Tom had competed as a master for many years — since the late seventies. He won the World Championship in his age group at Sacramento” in 2011. “Tom was an outstanding competitor. He vaulted in high school in Milwaukee and in college for Notre Dame. He began his career as a master while living in Madison, WI, and continued after moving to Phoenix. The past few summers he vaulted with a group in Logan, Utah.”

Jerry continues:

He was great inspiration to many vaulters – high school, college, open and masters vaulters, not only because of his vaulting capabilities and knowledge, but because of his personality.

While he was a tough competitor, he was a gentle and loving person. His wife, Sandy, was his greatest fan and faithful companion on all their trips. We truly cherished our get-togethers after every competition and on trips. His friends from around the country … will sorely miss him.

Our sport has lost a person who was a great representative of masters track and field. Christel and I have lost a wonderful friend.”