Notre Dame's Cole Bruenderman signs with Lindenwood

Notre Dame senior Cole Bruenderman, younger brother of St. Louis sophomore Evan Bruenderman, signed his national letter of intent to join the Lindenwood University track and field team on Wednesday at Notre Dame High School.

With pen to paper, there are now two Bruenderman brothers jumping for Division I track and field teams in the St. Louis metro area.

"It was a big goal of mine to compete at this high level of athletics," Bruenderman said. "So it's a very huge success, so I'm very happy that I achieved it."

Bruenderman said competing close to home and close to his brother was the main motivation behind signing with Lindenwood over Evansville. Lindenwood just became a Division I program this year, meaning the Lions and Bilikins are now competing in the same meets.

Cole and Evan Bruenderman share a retired school record in the 4x100 meter relay, along with Tommy Taylor and Hayden Jansen, with a time of 43.82 in 2021. Cole then broke that record the next year by 14 seconds with Greg Dennis, Davis Dow, and Jacob Brown.

Cole also broke his brother's school long jump record (22'0.25") last year. Evan still holds the triple jump record (45’9.5”), set in 2019.

The brothers also share the school record in the distance medley (10:50.90 in 2020), and the 4x200 meter relay (1:30.60 in 2021).

"He left for college when I was a sophomore," Bruenderman said, "so finally getting to compete against him again, it'll be very fun."

Bruenderman went all out during his last-ever home meet. He took first place in both the long jump (21'08.75) and triple jump (45'01.75) and placed sixth in the 100m dash (11.70) in the Frozen Invite that lived up to the name.

"Cole has been one of the most enjoyable kids I’ve ever had the privilege to coach," Notre Dame track head coach Ryan Long said. "I think he’s doing a great job stepping into his leadership role as a senior this year."

His triple jump was the only performance in the meet to meet the MileSplit U.S. Second Team standard. His long jump mark of 6.62m also set a new meet record.

"I wasn't expecting to get the record," Bruenderman said. "I didn't really know what it was but just performing that well that day just made me very happy."

Bruenderman said his goal this season is to win the state championship in the long and triple jump and for the team to win the state title as well.