Schmitt, Strahm Share Pole Vault School Record As UT Wraps Up Virginia Meets
February 08, 2025 | Track & Field
BLACKSBURG, Va. – Tennessee senior Sarah Schmitt and freshman Mya Strahm each claimed a share of the Lady Vol all-time record in the pole vault on Saturday as the duo both cleared a program-best height of 4.42 meters (14-6) at the Doc Hale VT Elite Meet – rounding out a pair of meets for the Big Orange this weekend in the state of Virginia.
Schmitt's performance was a personal-best to improve her own previous school record mark of 4.36m (14-3.5) set in January, while Strahm also shattered UT's previous freshman record of 4.22m (13-10) that was held by Sara Borton (2022) and Kristen Denk (2013). The current Lady Vol duo ranks tied for 12th nationally and second in the SEC this season.
In Virginia Beach, the Vols secured two more victories with a pair of first-place finishes on the men's side at the East Coast Invitational. Kalib Branch won the men's 60-meter hurdles final in a personal-best 7.83 seconds, while the UT 4x400-meter relay quartet of Jevon Williams, Andrew Brown, Harry Barton and Christian Parker turned in a season-best of 3:07.53.
Tennessee's top performances and personal records are highlighted below. The Big Orange returns to action next weekend, wrapping up the regular indoor season at the Tiger Paw Invitational (Clemson, S.C.) and the David Hemery Valentine Invitational (Boston, Mass.).
Notables
Schmitt's performance was a personal-best to improve her own previous school record mark of 4.36m (14-3.5) set in January, while Strahm also shattered UT's previous freshman record of 4.22m (13-10) that was held by Sara Borton (2022) and Kristen Denk (2013). The current Lady Vol duo ranks tied for 12th nationally and second in the SEC this season.
In Virginia Beach, the Vols secured two more victories with a pair of first-place finishes on the men's side at the East Coast Invitational. Kalib Branch won the men's 60-meter hurdles final in a personal-best 7.83 seconds, while the UT 4x400-meter relay quartet of Jevon Williams, Andrew Brown, Harry Barton and Christian Parker turned in a season-best of 3:07.53.
Tennessee's top performances and personal records are highlighted below. The Big Orange returns to action next weekend, wrapping up the regular indoor season at the Tiger Paw Invitational (Clemson, S.C.) and the David Hemery Valentine Invitational (Boston, Mass.).
Notables
- Lady Vol standouts Sarah Schmitt and Mya Strahm etched their names into Tennessee history as both claimed the school record in the women's pole vault with identical clearances of 4.42m (14-6). The duo ranks tied for 12th in the nation and second in the SEC this season.
- Strahm's mark also shatters the previous UT freshman record in the event by 20 centimeters. The 17-year-old rookie joined the Lady Vols as an early enrollee in January and is ranked tied for second on the U20 world list.
- Vol sophomore Kalib Branch secured a victory in the men's 60-meter hurdles final, tying his PR with a mark of 7.83 which established an East Coast Invitational meet record.
- Tennessee wrapped up the weekend with a win in the men's 4x400-meter relay, clocking a season-best and meet record time of 3:07.53 that ranks 14th on the Division I list as of Saturday evening. Andrew Brown (46.31) and Harry Barton (46.73) each logged sub-47 second splits to help lead the Vols to victory.
- Additionally, former Lady Vol Jacious Sears made a splash at the Millrose Games in New York City – clocking a world-leading and lifetime-best of 7.02 seconds to win the women's 60-meter dash. The Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, native is trained by Duane Ross in Knoxville and is off to a phenomenal start to her professional career, now ranking as the eighth-fastest American of all-time in the 60-meter dash.
- Tennessee athletes combined to break or tie seven indoor personal records on Saturday at the 62nd East Coast Invitational.
- Medwin Odamtten – Men's 200m – 21.87
- Kalib Branch – Men's 60m Hurdles – 7.83
- John Bruder – Men's Shot Put – 18.60m / 61-0.25
- Victoria Aransiola – Women's 200m – 23.72
- Yahnari Lyons – Women's 200m – 24.44
- Sarah Schmitt – Women's Pole Vault – 4.42m (14-6)
- Mya Strahm – Women's Pole Vault – 4.42m (14-6)
Players Mentioned
Sprints
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Sprints/Hurdles
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Hurdles
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Sprints
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Throws
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Sprints/Hurdles
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Sprints
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Sprints
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & FieldEverything Orange S2 | Sarah Schmitt (Track & Field)
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