University of Tennessee Athletics
Igor Olaru Earns Hammer Bronze At SEC Championships
May 14, 2026 | Track & Field
AUBURN, Ala. – Tennessee sophomore Igor Olaru made the podium in his SEC Outdoor Championships debut on Thursday, placing third in the men's hammer throw to highlight UT's opening-day performances at the 2026 conference meet. The Chisinau, Moldova, native launched a mark of 71.51 meters (234-7) to earn bronze at Auburn University's Hutsell-Rosen Track facility.
Olaru is Tennessee's first SEC medalist in the men's hammer throw since 2022, when Georgios Korakidis also claimed bronze. Thursday's performance marked the second conference medal of Olaru's career, as he won silver last season at the Big 12 Championships while competing for Baylor University.
Lady Vol freshman Brett Jones also had a standout showing for the Tennessee throws squad, breaking the school record in the javelin with a toss of 54.29 meters (178-1). Her mark placed sixth at the meet and ranks No. 18 in the NCAA this season.
In Thursday's track preliminary rounds, Traunard Folson and Marc Anthony Ibrahim each advanced in the men's 200-meter dash and 400-meter hurdles, respectively. Folson's 20.52 won his heat and was the second-fastest mark in prelims, while Ibrahim's time of 49.47 set a new season best and placed seventh in the field.
Lady Vol senior Andie-Marie Jones capped Thursday's action in the women's 10,000-meter run, securing a new personal best with her time of 34:17.30. The performance placed 11th at the meet and ranks ninth in school history.
Full results from the SEC Outdoor Championships can be viewed online via Xpress Timing.
UP NEXT: The SEC Outdoor Championships continue Friday, with Tennessee set to compete in 11 events. Action begins at 5 p.m. ET with Endia Smith in the women's long jump and concludes at 9 p.m. with Amelia Wills and Tula Fawbush competing in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Olaru is Tennessee's first SEC medalist in the men's hammer throw since 2022, when Georgios Korakidis also claimed bronze. Thursday's performance marked the second conference medal of Olaru's career, as he won silver last season at the Big 12 Championships while competing for Baylor University.
Lady Vol freshman Brett Jones also had a standout showing for the Tennessee throws squad, breaking the school record in the javelin with a toss of 54.29 meters (178-1). Her mark placed sixth at the meet and ranks No. 18 in the NCAA this season.
In Thursday's track preliminary rounds, Traunard Folson and Marc Anthony Ibrahim each advanced in the men's 200-meter dash and 400-meter hurdles, respectively. Folson's 20.52 won his heat and was the second-fastest mark in prelims, while Ibrahim's time of 49.47 set a new season best and placed seventh in the field.
Lady Vol senior Andie-Marie Jones capped Thursday's action in the women's 10,000-meter run, securing a new personal best with her time of 34:17.30. The performance placed 11th at the meet and ranks ninth in school history.
Full results from the SEC Outdoor Championships can be viewed online via Xpress Timing.
UP NEXT: The SEC Outdoor Championships continue Friday, with Tennessee set to compete in 11 events. Action begins at 5 p.m. ET with Endia Smith in the women's long jump and concludes at 9 p.m. with Amelia Wills and Tula Fawbush competing in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Distance
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