University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Break Two School Records on Opening Day of Tennessee Invite
April 10, 2026 | Track & Field
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee track & field produced a pair of school records Friday at the 2026 Tennessee Invite—one that had stood for 49 years and another that lasted just one week.
Junior Cedricka Williams broke the program record in the women's discus with a throw of 60.57 meters (198-8) in the second round, surpassing the previous mark by one centimeter. The record had been held by Jane Haist since 1977. Williams' mark also ranks second on the 2026 NCAA outdoor list.
In the women's pole vault, freshman Hannah Grace reset her own school record just one week after first establishing it at the Florida Relays. The Wilmington, North Carolina, native cleared 4.52 meters (14-10) to improve her personal best, take over the SEC lead and move to No. 3 nationally this season.
The record-setting performances highlighted six event victories for Tennessee's attached athletes on their home track. Freshman Endia Smith opened the meet with a win in the women's triple jump, posting a mark of 12.57 meters (41-3).
On the men's side, Aron Alvarez Aranda claimed the discus title with a season-best throw of 60.51 meters (198-6), ranking seventh in the NCAA this season.
Cade Gray led a strong showing in the men's pole vault, clearing an outdoor personal-best 5.66 meters (18-6.75) to secure the win. His mark ranks third nationally, while teammates Clarke Byram, Blake Sifferlin and Ismaila Sawaneh each cleared 5.51 meters (18-1), tying for 12th on the NCAA outdoor list.
Grace was joined by Skye Tolbert and Kendall Ford in the women's invitational pole vault, as Tolbert recorded an outdoor personal-best 4.42 meters (14-6) to rank third in program history and seventh nationally. Ford tabbed an outdoor PR as well with her leap of 4.12 meters (13-6.25).
In the women's javelin, Brett Jones set the program's freshman record with a winning throw of 50.75 meters, matching her personal best and moving to No. 3 all-time at Tennessee.
UP NEXT: The Tennessee Invite concludes Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. with the men's hammer throw and ending at approximately 4:45 p.m. with the men's 4x400-meter relay. UT will also honor 19 seniors in a ceremony at 1 p.m.
Junior Cedricka Williams broke the program record in the women's discus with a throw of 60.57 meters (198-8) in the second round, surpassing the previous mark by one centimeter. The record had been held by Jane Haist since 1977. Williams' mark also ranks second on the 2026 NCAA outdoor list.
In the women's pole vault, freshman Hannah Grace reset her own school record just one week after first establishing it at the Florida Relays. The Wilmington, North Carolina, native cleared 4.52 meters (14-10) to improve her personal best, take over the SEC lead and move to No. 3 nationally this season.
The record-setting performances highlighted six event victories for Tennessee's attached athletes on their home track. Freshman Endia Smith opened the meet with a win in the women's triple jump, posting a mark of 12.57 meters (41-3).
On the men's side, Aron Alvarez Aranda claimed the discus title with a season-best throw of 60.51 meters (198-6), ranking seventh in the NCAA this season.
Cade Gray led a strong showing in the men's pole vault, clearing an outdoor personal-best 5.66 meters (18-6.75) to secure the win. His mark ranks third nationally, while teammates Clarke Byram, Blake Sifferlin and Ismaila Sawaneh each cleared 5.51 meters (18-1), tying for 12th on the NCAA outdoor list.
Grace was joined by Skye Tolbert and Kendall Ford in the women's invitational pole vault, as Tolbert recorded an outdoor personal-best 4.42 meters (14-6) to rank third in program history and seventh nationally. Ford tabbed an outdoor PR as well with her leap of 4.12 meters (13-6.25).
In the women's javelin, Brett Jones set the program's freshman record with a winning throw of 50.75 meters, matching her personal best and moving to No. 3 all-time at Tennessee.
UP NEXT: The Tennessee Invite concludes Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. with the men's hammer throw and ending at approximately 4:45 p.m. with the men's 4x400-meter relay. UT will also honor 19 seniors in a ceremony at 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault/Jumps
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Throws
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