Sullivan Tabs No. 2 Indoor High Jump in UT History at Hokie Invite

KNOXVILLE, TN - 2019.01.02 - Track and Field Studio Shoot

Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Sullivan Tabs No. 2 Indoor High Jump in UT History at Hokie Invite

January 19, 2019 | Track & Field

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Tennessee junior Darryl Sullivan cleared a lifetime-best 2.26m (7-5) in the men's high jump to highlight UT's performances Saturday at the Hokie Invitational, hosted by Virginia Tech inside the Rector Field House. The Vols totaled seven podium finishes and 12 personal records on the afternoon.

Sullivan's mark was nationally prominent, currently ranking as the No. 3 indoor high jump across NCAA Division I during the 2018-19 season and just one centimeter shy of the top mark in the country. His 7-5 clearance ranks No. 2 in Tennessee history indoors, only trailing VFL Randy Jenkins' mark of 7-7 (2.31m) that was recorded in 1994.

ALL HE DOES IS WIN: Entering this season without a win in his collegiate career, junior thrower Joseph Maxwell earned his third-straight individual victory in the men's shot put. His lifetime-best hurl of 18.88m (61-11.5) beat the next-best competition by nearly two feet, and currently sits 12^th on the 2019 NCAA Indoor Qualifying List.

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: All three of Tennessee's men's pole vaulters posted personal records Saturday afternoon at Virginia Tech, highlighted by Tristan Slater's 5.25m (17-2.75) clearance on his third attempt - which currently ranks second in the SEC. Senior Nate Harper (5.00m / 16-4.75) and true freshman Andrew Ference (5.15m / 16-10.75) also achieved new PRs in the seeded event.

On the women's side, Hannah Jefcoat competed in the seeded pole vault, taking third place overall with a 4.04m (13-3) showing. The mark was just half an inch off her personal-best that was set last week at the UAB Blazer Invite.

FRESHMAN LONG JUMPERS SHINE: UT rookies Alonie Sutton and Cameron Murray each posted season-best marks for the Vols in the women's and men's long jump, respectively.

Sutton leaped 6.13m (20-1.5) on her final attempt of the day, vaulting herself to No. 8 on Tennessee's all-time top 10 list indoors. She is one of five Lady Vols in the history of the program to crack UT's top 10 in both the triple and long jump.

Murray tacked on a career-best 7.30m (23-11.5) on the men's side, placing fourth overall in the event. Mustaqeem Williams also broke seven meters in his long jump season debut - 7.19m / 23-7.25.

SPRINTS FIND FOUR PODIUMS: Tennessee's sprint squad put up four top-3 finishes Saturday to bring their total to nine for the Hokie Invitational.

Senior captain Lenysse Dyer earned her first win of 2019 in the 400m dash, throwing down a season-best 54.83 that ranks 22^nd in the NCAA this season. On the men's side, Nickson Pierre earned bronze with a PR of 48.32 in the 400m.

Maia McCoy tallied her second runner-up finish of the meet in the 200m, clocking a 24.11 for the fastest mark by a Lady Vol this season. Dyer, McCoy, Brooklynn Broadwater and Kiara Rhodes rounded out the day with a third-place outing in the 4x400m relay at 3:46.29.

#PRTracker: Tennessee athletes combined for 12 NCAA Indoor personal records on the second day of the Hokie Invitational.

Domonique Turner - Women's 200m - 25.27
Akira Rhodes - Women's 200m - 26.12
Nickson Pierre - Men's 400m - 48.32
Joe Hoots - Men's 800m - 1:55.05
Darryl Sullivan - Men's High Jump - 2.26m / 7-5
Tristan Slater - Men's Pole Vault - 5.25m / 17-2.75
Andrew Ference - Men's Pole Vault - 5.15m / 16-10.75
Nate Harper - Men's Pole Vault - 5.00m / 16-4.75
Alonie Sutton - Women's Long Jump - 6.13m / 20-1.5
Cameron Murray - Men's Long Jump - 7.30m (23-11.5)
Kiara Rhodes - Women's Shot Put - 9.93m / 32-7
Joseph Maxwell - Men's Shot Put - 18.88m / 61-11.5

QUOTES
Director of Track & Field Beth Alford-Sullivan

"The Vols had a tremendous weekend of two-day competition, breaking into what the championship portion of the season is like - two days, back-to-back. We had an outstanding weekend, somewhere in the vicinity of over 20 personal-bests.

"From start to finish, very proud of our team - very proud of our program. We have lots of things to get better at. We've got a weekend off, and we're going to go to work in training and rehab. We're going to be ready for the month of February when championship time starts.

"Give a lot of credit to our coaches. Tremendous coaching efforts across the board. They did a tremendous job keeping our kids on task and focused, so very pleased with all that's going on there."

"I also want to give a great shoutout to Virginia Tech. Dave Cianelli has run a great program here. They have a beautiful new facility, and you're going to continue seeing outstanding times over the years from the improvements they've made here. Their throws facility is just the best in the country. I want to thank them for hosting this meet."

UP NEXT: Following a two-week break from competition, Tennessee will return to action Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1-2 as South Carolina hosts the Carolina Challenge.

Full results from the Hokie Invitational can be found at this link. For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee track & field, follow @Vol_Track on Twitter.