University of Tennessee Athletics
Igor Olaru Shatters Tennessee Hammer Throw School Record
May 01, 2026 | Track & Field
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee sophomore Igor Olaru shattered UT's all-time record in the men's hammer throw, highlighting Friday's performances as the Vols and Lady Vols competed at the Jim Green Invitational (Lexington, Ky.), East Coast Relays (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Music City Challenge (Nashville).
Competing in the men's hammer invitational at Kentucky, Olaru was dominant throughout his series, recording six throws beyond the previous school mark. He ultimately posted a toss of 73.05 meters (239-8) on his fifth attempt, finishing as the top collegian at the meet and second overall. The mark eclipsed Georgios Korakidis' former program record of 70.51 meters (231-4) by more than eight feet, and Olaru now ranks seventh in the NCAA during the 2026 outdoor season.
At the East Coast Relays, the Vols secured a 1-2 finish in the men's 400-meter hurdles behind Marc Anthony Ibrahim and Calvin Wetzel. Ibrahim clocked 49.85 to take the win in Jacksonville, while Wetzel finished second in 50.27 – good for a season-best and No. 19 ranking nationally this season.
Additionally, a pair of Vols broke 21 seconds in the 200-meter dash with outdoor personal bests on Friday. Davonte Howell ran 20.70 to win his heat and place eighth overall at North Florida, while John Robinson IV posted a 20.95 to finish sixth at Kentucky.
A handful of Tennessee distance runners closed out Friday's action at the Music City Challenge, beginning with the men's 1,500-meter at approximately 9:30 p.m. True freshman Oliver MacDonald competed unattached and took second overall with a time of 3:41.66, while sophomore Gavin Genisio finished 19th in 3:49.44. If he had competed attached, MacDonald's mark would have set a new UT freshman record, ranked third in school history and finished 0.42 seconds shy of Tim Pitcher's school record set in 1993.
Three Lady Vols toed the line for the women's 5,000-meter in Nashville, led by unattached freshman Faith Chepchumba who took the win with a time of 16:03.73. Tennessee junior Jaci Sievers finished seventh overall with a personal-best of 16:23.24, and Kaitlyn Vanderkolk turned in a time of 16:53.27 to finish 12th while competing unattached.
UP NEXT: Tennessee's busy weekend continues Saturday with Vols and Lady Vols competing from 10:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET at the Jim Green Invitational (Lexington, Ky.) and East Coast Relays (Jacksonville, Fla.).
Competing in the men's hammer invitational at Kentucky, Olaru was dominant throughout his series, recording six throws beyond the previous school mark. He ultimately posted a toss of 73.05 meters (239-8) on his fifth attempt, finishing as the top collegian at the meet and second overall. The mark eclipsed Georgios Korakidis' former program record of 70.51 meters (231-4) by more than eight feet, and Olaru now ranks seventh in the NCAA during the 2026 outdoor season.
At the East Coast Relays, the Vols secured a 1-2 finish in the men's 400-meter hurdles behind Marc Anthony Ibrahim and Calvin Wetzel. Ibrahim clocked 49.85 to take the win in Jacksonville, while Wetzel finished second in 50.27 – good for a season-best and No. 19 ranking nationally this season.
Additionally, a pair of Vols broke 21 seconds in the 200-meter dash with outdoor personal bests on Friday. Davonte Howell ran 20.70 to win his heat and place eighth overall at North Florida, while John Robinson IV posted a 20.95 to finish sixth at Kentucky.
A handful of Tennessee distance runners closed out Friday's action at the Music City Challenge, beginning with the men's 1,500-meter at approximately 9:30 p.m. True freshman Oliver MacDonald competed unattached and took second overall with a time of 3:41.66, while sophomore Gavin Genisio finished 19th in 3:49.44. If he had competed attached, MacDonald's mark would have set a new UT freshman record, ranked third in school history and finished 0.42 seconds shy of Tim Pitcher's school record set in 1993.
Three Lady Vols toed the line for the women's 5,000-meter in Nashville, led by unattached freshman Faith Chepchumba who took the win with a time of 16:03.73. Tennessee junior Jaci Sievers finished seventh overall with a personal-best of 16:23.24, and Kaitlyn Vanderkolk turned in a time of 16:53.27 to finish 12th while competing unattached.
UP NEXT: Tennessee's busy weekend continues Saturday with Vols and Lady Vols competing from 10:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET at the Jim Green Invitational (Lexington, Ky.) and East Coast Relays (Jacksonville, Fla.).
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
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