Record-Setting Speed Leads Vols at Clemson Invitational

Saturday, January 10

Clemson, S.C.

University of Tennessee

Clemson Invitational

Record-Setting Speed Leads Vols at Clemson Invitational

January 10, 2026 | Track & Field

Results

CLEMSON, S.C. – Tennessee speed was on full display Saturday at the Clemson Invitational, highlighted by a thrilling men's 60-meter final that saw Volunteer sprinters Davonte Howell and Traunard Folson cross the line simultaneously in 6.49 seconds. Both performances established new World and NCAA leads for the 2025-26 indoor campaign, while tying for third on UT's all-time list and ranking 12th in collegiate history.

Howell and Folson's marks headlined a strong day for the Big Orange, as Tennessee opened the calendar year with seven event titles and 14 marks ranking among the top 10 on the 2026 NCAA Division I indoor list.

In the men's 60-meter final, Howell was credited with the win after edging Folson by one thousandth of a second, 6.485 to 6.486. Howell's time also set a Cayman Islands national record. Vol senior T'Mars McCallum placed third after equaling his personal best with a mark of 6.59, which ranks seventh in program history and third nationally this season.

The Big Orange also posted a pair of school records in the men's and women's 300-meter dash. Vol redshirt freshman Saad Hinti cruised to a heat victory in 32.46 seconds, smashing the Moroccan national record and ranking 12th on the all-time collegiate list. On the women's side, senior Javonya Valcourt recorded a time of 36.53 to set the Lady Vol record and rank 13th in NCAA history.

Additionally, Andre Jackson II's 32.64 in the men's 300-meter and Cydney Wright's 36.96 in the women's 300-meter ranked second and third in school history, respectively.

Nigerian sophomore Esther Joseph added her name to the African all-time top 10 in the indoor 200-meter, earning a win for the Lady Vols with a time of 23.11. Her mark ranks first in the NCAA this season, 10th on Africa's all-time list and sixth in Lady Vol history.

UT rounded out the meet with a pair of strong showings from its A teams in the 4x400-meter relays. Valcourt, Joseph, Wright and Kaniya Johnson finished third with a time of 3:29.31 that ranks second in Lady Vol history, while Hinti, Jackson, Calvin Wetzel and Harry Barton earned the win on the men's side with a time of 3:05.13 that made them the sixth-fastest quartet to don Tennessee orange. Both performances rank top five in the NCAA this season.

In the field events, Tennessee showcased its depth in the weight throw with a 1-2 finish from Vol sophomores Aidan Ifkovits and Igor Olaru. Ifkovits claimed the title with a lifetime-best throw of 22.35 meters (73-4), ranking fourth in the NCAA this year and second in school history. Olaru was runner-up in his Tennessee debut, posting a personal-best mark of 21.18 meters (69-6) that ranks 10th nationally this season and seventh in program annals.

Lady Vol junior Cedricka Williams also recorded a personal best in the weight throw, launching a mark of 18.90 meters (62-0.25) to place ninth in school history.

Tennessee earned first-place finishes in both pole vault competitions, as redshirt senior Cade Gray won on the men's side with a clearance of 5.30 meters (17-4.5), while junior Skye Tolbert claimed the women's title at 4.04 meters (13-3).

UT senior John Bruder opened Saturday's action with a victory in the men's shot put, tossing the 16-pound implement 17.84 meters (58-6.5) to claim first place in his season opener.

PR TRACKER: Tennessee athletes combined to break or tie 17 indoor personal records on Saturday at the Clemson Invitational.