Tennessee’s track and field begins the John Thomas Terrier Classic and Bob Pollock Invitational.
COLLEGE STATION, TX – January 20, 2024 – Kalib Branch from the Tennessee Volunteers participated in the Ted Nelson Invitational at the Faskin Indoor Track and Field Facility in College Station, TX. Photo Courtesy of Cayce Smith/Tennessee Athletics
The Tennessee track and field program for 2023-2024 kicked off its weekend competitions early Friday morning, splitting between the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University and the Bob Pollock Invitational at Clemson.
While the Vols and Lady Vols distance team competed in Boston from Jan. 26-27, Tennessee’s hurdlers, sprinters, jumpers, and pole vaulters took on the weekend at Clemson.
At the John Thomas Terrier Classic, Tennessee’s male distance runners displayed their prowess in the 800-meter run, mile, and 3000-meter run.
Sophomore Michael Rodriguez-King started strong for the Vols, finishing third in his heat and 20th overall in the men’s 800-meter with a time of 1:52.03.
Seniors Dalton Hengst and Jacob Lewis, along with junior Christopher Cherry, continued Tennessee’s momentum by clinching the top three spots in their heat during the men’s mile run.
In the men’s 3000-meter run, junior Gabriel Sanchez led the pack, while senior Brandon Olden secured a top-10 spot with a time of 7:56.89, both achieving personal bests.
The Lady Vols were scheduled to compete in their events on Saturday, Jan. 26.
Meanwhile, at the Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, Tennessee’s hurdlers and sprinters showcased their strength, adding to the competitive atmosphere leading into Saturday’s events.
Kiara Smith delivered a season-best performance, securing fourth place in the women’s 60-meter hurdles for the Vols.
Freshman Kalib Branch achieved a personal best and earned a top-10 spot in the 60-meter hurdles preliminaries, joined by senior Sam McLendon who placed ninth.
Tennessee’s freshman sprinter, Zyaire Nuriddin, set a new personal best and Tennessee record in the men’s 400-meter, finishing second overall with a time of 46.45.
In the men’s 60-meter final, senior Javonte Harding placed in the top five, clocking his season’s best time of 6.74.
After a day of intense competition, the Tennessee track and field team geared up for the final day of meets on Saturday, Jan. 27.
