#2 Vols Total Four Wins, Five NCAA Top-15 Marks At USC Invite, Virginia Tech Challenge

Saturday, February 21

Blacksburg, Va.

University of Tennessee

Virginia Tech Challenge

#2 Vols Total Four Wins, Five NCAA Top-15 Marks At USC Invite, Virginia Tech Challenge

February 21, 2026 | Track & Field

USC - Results VT - Results

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The second-ranked Tennessee men's track & field team closed out the 2025-26 indoor regular season with an impressive Saturday showing across two meets, collecting four event victories and five NCAA top-15 performances at the USC Invite in Columbia, South Carolina, and the Virginia Tech Challenge in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Tennessee delivered a podium sweep in the men's pole vault at Virginia Tech, highlighted by personal-best clearances from Cade Gray, Ismaila Sawaneh, and Blake Sifferlin. Gray and Sawaneh each cleared 5.69 meters (18-8) to finish first and second, respectively, with marks that are tied for third in program history and rank eighth nationally this season. Sifferlin placed third with a personal-best 5.64 meters (18-6), moving into fifth on Tennessee's all-time list and 12th on the 2025-26 NCAA qualifying leaderboard.

Sprint standout Traunard Folson continued his strong indoor campaign by winning the men's 200-meter dash at South Carolina with a personal-best time of 20.55 seconds. The performance set a new facility record at the Sheila & Morris Cregger Indoor Track & Field Facility, tied for sixth-fastest in UT indoor history and currently ranks seventh nationally.

The Vols capped off competition in Columbia with a victory in the men's distance medley relay, as Gavin Genisio, Harry Barton, Carter Knox, and Nelson Mapi Setek combined for a time of 9:30.66. The effort shaved 21 seconds off Tennessee's previous season best, broke the South Carolina facility record, ranked third in program history and sits 18th nationally this season.

At Virginia Tech, junior Grant Campbell opened the day with a win in the men's high jump, clearing a personal-best 2.20 meters (7-2.5). The Maryville native now ranks sixth all-time at Tennessee and 13th on the NCAA indoor qualifying list.

On the women's side, freshman Endia Smith finished runner-up in the triple jump at South Carolina with a mark of 12.41 meters (40-8.75). At Virginia Tech, Skye Tolbert placed fourth in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.34 meters (14-2.75), while Kendall Ford followed in sixth at 4.09 meters (13-5).

PR TRACKER: Tennessee athletes combined to break six indoor personal records on Saturday at the USC Invite and Virginia Tech Challenge.

Traunard Folson – Men's 200m – 20.55
Calvin Wetzel – Men's 400m – 46.85
Grant Campbell – Men's High Jump – 2.20m (7-2.5)
Cade Gray – Men's Pole Vault – 5.69m (18-8)
Ismaila Sawaneh – Men's Pole Vault – 5.69m (18-8)
Blake Sifferlin – Men's Pole Vault – 5.64m (18-6)

UP NEXT: Indoor postseason kicks off with the 2026 SEC Indoor Championships, scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28, in College Station, Texas.