Pole Vault Podium Sweep Headlines Friday At Orange & Purple Invite

Friday, January 23

Clemson, S.C.

University of Tennessee

Orange & Purple Invite

Men's Pole Vault - Orange & Purple 1/23/26

Pole Vault Podium Sweep Headlines Friday At Orange & Purple Invite

January 23, 2026 | Track & Field

Results

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Tennessee men's pole vault crew secured first, second, third and fourth place on Friday at the Orange & Purple Invitational, highlighting Friday's action at Clemson University. Overall, the Vols and Lady Vols totaled seven top-five finishes from its pole vault and high jump representatives competing on Friday at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex.

Vol sophomore Clarke Byram took the win in the men's vault with a mark of 5.55m (18-2.5), notching the second-best performance of his career after clearing a PR of 5.61m (18-4.75) this past December. Seniors Blake Sifferlin and Evan Puckett placed second and third, respectively, with both veterans towering over a season-best 5.40m (17-8.5) on Friday. Cade Gray was fourth at the meet, posting a mark of 5.25m (17-2.75) for the Big Orange.

With their season-best showings at Clemson, Sifferlin and Puckett now rank tied for No. 18 in the NCAA during the 2025-26 indoor campaign.

In the women's pole vault, Lady Vol sophomore Mya Strahm cleared 4.19m (13-9) to take second at the meet. Her performance ranks No. 24 on the NCAA Division I list this season. Additionally, Kendall Ford placed fourth with a leap of 3.94m (12-11).

Junior jumper Grant Campbell notched a third-place finish in the men's high jump, leaping over the bar at 2.07m (6-9.5).

UP NEXT: Tennessee has two meets on the docket next week, sending a majority of the roster back to Clemson for the Bob Pollock Invitational while a squad of distance runners head to Boston for the John Thomas Terrier Classic. Both competitions will run Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30-31.