Vols Sweep Top Three Spots in Pole Vault at Virginia Tech

Tennessee track and field athletes record personal bests in pole vault competition.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Tennessee men's track and field team had a strong showing at the Virginia Tech Challenge and USC Invitational meets over the weekend. The Vols swept the top three spots in the pole vault event at Virginia Tech, with Cade Gray, Ismaila Sawaneh, and Blake Sifferlin all recording career-best efforts. Tennessee also had impressive performances in other events, including a win by sprinter Traunard Folson in the 200-meter dash at South Carolina and a victory by the distance medley relay team.

Why it matters

Tennessee's track and field program continues to demonstrate its depth and talent, with multiple athletes achieving personal bests and setting themselves up for potential postseason success. The Vols' dominance in the pole vault event is particularly noteworthy, as they solidify their status as one of the top teams in the country in that discipline.

The details

At the Virginia Tech Challenge, Cade Gray and Ismaila Sawaneh both cleared 5.69 meters (18-8) to finish first and second, respectively, in the pole vault. Blake Sifferlin placed third with a mark of 5.64 meters (18-6). Gray and Sawaneh are now tied for the third-best pole vault performance in Tennessee history, while Sifferlin holds the fifth spot on the Vols' all-time list. Traunard Folson won the 200-meter dash at South Carolina with a time of 20.55 seconds, which is the sixth-fastest in program history and the seventh-fastest in the nation this season. The Vols' distance medley relay team of Gavin Genisio, Harry Barton, Carter Knox, and Nelson Mapi Setek won their event at South Carolina with a time of 9:30.66, breaking the meet record and ranking 18th in the NCAA this year.

  • The Tennessee men's track and field team competed at the Virginia Tech Challenge in Blacksburg, Virginia and the USC Invitational in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Cade Gray

A Tennessee track and field athlete who finished first in the pole vault event at the Virginia Tech Challenge, clearing 5.69 meters (18-8) to tie for the third-best mark in program history.

Ismaila Sawaneh

A Tennessee track and field athlete who finished second in the pole vault event at the Virginia Tech Challenge, clearing 5.69 meters (18-8) to tie for the third-best mark in program history.

Blake Sifferlin

A Tennessee track and field athlete who finished third in the pole vault event at the Virginia Tech Challenge, recording a mark of 5.64 meters (18-6) to hold the fifth spot on the Vols' all-time list.

Traunard Folson

A Tennessee sprinter who won the 200-meter dash at the USC Invitational with a time of 20.55 seconds, which is the sixth-fastest in program history and the seventh-fastest in the nation this season.

Gavin Genisio, Harry Barton, Carter Knox, and Nelson Mapi Setek

The Tennessee distance medley relay team that won their event at the USC Invitational with a time of 9:30.66, breaking the meet record and ranking 18th in the NCAA this year.

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The takeaway

Tennessee's track and field program continues to demonstrate its strength and depth, with multiple athletes achieving personal bests and setting themselves up for potential postseason success. The Vols' dominance in the pole vault event and other strong performances across various disciplines highlight the team's well-rounded talent and its status as one of the top programs in the country.