Tennessee Tabs Three Podium Finishes, Three PRs at Virginia Tech Challenge
February 21, 2025 | Track & Field
BLACKSBURG, Va. – Competing in the seeded pole vault events at the Virginia Tech Challenge, the Tennessee track & field program earned a trio of top-three performances to go along with three indoor personal records on Friday evening inside the Rector Fieldhouse.
The action began with the women's seeded pole vault where school record holder Sarah Schmitt took second place after clearing 4.35m (14-3.25). Notably, junior vaulter Kendall Ford cleared a new personal-best height of 4.20m (13-9.25), rising two spots to No. 7 on the Lady Vol all-time indoor top 10 as well as ranking ninth on the 2025 SEC Indoor Performance List.
On the men's side, Tennessee earned a 2-3 finish with a pair of personal-best clearances by Blake Sifferlin and Evan Puckett. Both Vols reached new heights of 5.47m (17-11.25) – Sifferlin on his first attempt and Puckett on his second – to finish second and third at the meet, respectively. Their marks ranks seventh in program history indoors and are tied for fourth in the conference this season.
UT will round out the Virginia Tech Challenge on Saturday in the unseeded pole vault, with Ellison Colarossi and Caroline Weems set to represent the Lady Vols while Paul Migas competes for the men. Additionally, Tennessee will make its season debut in the distance medley relay at the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Indiana, with that event scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET inside Notre Dame's Meyo Fieldhouse.
The action began with the women's seeded pole vault where school record holder Sarah Schmitt took second place after clearing 4.35m (14-3.25). Notably, junior vaulter Kendall Ford cleared a new personal-best height of 4.20m (13-9.25), rising two spots to No. 7 on the Lady Vol all-time indoor top 10 as well as ranking ninth on the 2025 SEC Indoor Performance List.
On the men's side, Tennessee earned a 2-3 finish with a pair of personal-best clearances by Blake Sifferlin and Evan Puckett. Both Vols reached new heights of 5.47m (17-11.25) – Sifferlin on his first attempt and Puckett on his second – to finish second and third at the meet, respectively. Their marks ranks seventh in program history indoors and are tied for fourth in the conference this season.
UT will round out the Virginia Tech Challenge on Saturday in the unseeded pole vault, with Ellison Colarossi and Caroline Weems set to represent the Lady Vols while Paul Migas competes for the men. Additionally, Tennessee will make its season debut in the distance medley relay at the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Indiana, with that event scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET inside Notre Dame's Meyo Fieldhouse.
Players Mentioned
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & FieldEverything Orange S2 | Sarah Schmitt (Track & Field)
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