Alford-Sullivan Announces 2020 Signing Class

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee director of track & field/cross country Beth Alford-Sullivan has announced the addition of 24 signees (11 men, 13 women) for the program's 2020 recruiting class. The group includes top talent across all disciplines of the sport — sprints, jumps, throws and distance.

"It has been another very successful year for recruiting for my program," Alford-Sullivan said. "My assistant coaches worked hard all year and continue to collectively build out two very well-balanced, talented teams for the Vols and Lady Vols.

"Our goals in recruiting are a combination of finding the most talented athletes that can have an immediate impact in the SEC and NCAA, as well as finding developmental athletes that round out all of the event areas — giving us the much-needed depth to compete at the highest of levels. Our incoming class is also very academically successful and we are continuing to keep a strong focus on the student portion of being a student-athlete."

The 2020 class showcases the Tennessee coaching staff's commitment to developing homegrown talent, as 10 signees call the Volunteer State home. Four of these in-state standouts recently topped the podium at the 2020 TSSAA indoor state meet, combining for six individual high school state championships.

"Our class has a great representation of Tennessee talent as we continue to secure the best in the state," Alford-Sullivan said. "We have 10 men and women joining us from Tennessee in all the event areas and we are thrilled with this instate representation."

The class also features a handful of transfer athletes, including mid-year enrollees Christopher Bailey and Olivia Janke who scored at the 2020 SEC Indoor Championships. Bailey made his Tennessee debut running the men's 4x400-meter relay, helping the Vols run a season-best 3:07.36 for sixth place at the conference meet. One of Tennessee's most consistent distance runners during the 2020 indoor season, Janke anchored the Lady Vols DMR to a bronze medal at the SEC meet with a 4:45.21 split over the 1600-meter leg.

Tennessee associate head coach Travis Geopfert helped the Vols sign one of the world's most elite prospects in Jamaican jumper/hurdler Wayne Pinnock. Pinnock is the U20 Jamaican National Record Holder in the long jump with a personal-best of 8.14 meters (26-8.5), and he also holds the world's fourth-fastest time ever recorded in the 110-meter hurdles by a U20 athlete at 13.06 seconds.

"Coach Travis has landed one of the best talents in the world with Wayne Pinnock from Kingston College in Jamaica," Alford-Sullivan said. "Wayne will have an immediate impact with the jumps squad, joining forces in the long jump with SEC Field Athlete of the Year Carey McLeod."

The Lady Vols also added a pair of Jamaican standouts in graduate transfers Ayesha Champagnie and Nayoka Clunis. The duo comes to Rocky Top from the University of Minnesota with each having one outdoor season of eligibility remaining.

"Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Vols and Lady Vols retained a great class of seniors this coming year for the outdoor season," Alford-Sullivan said. "Led by Darryl Sullivan — the world leader in the high jump — along with all of our other seniors, we also gained two super talented graduates from the University of Minnesota. Two-time NCAA All-American thrower Nayoka Clunis and 5,800-point heptathlete Ayesha Champagnie both will have outdoor eligibility and will be in graduate school here at UT."

The class additionally features a plethora of high school All-Americans, state champions and All-State performers from California, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas and Virginia. A full breakdown of UT's 24 signees can be viewed below.

"All in all this is a great class, one that compliments all portions of our goals of being great scholars, champions and leaders," Alford-Sullivan said. "It also helps propel us toward the top of the podiums. I am excited and can't wait to get the 2020-21 year started!"
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Track Signee - Fuji Anday

Fuji Anday
Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Central Magnet HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

1600m - 4:27.67
3200m - 9:14.90

Notables:

Two-time Regional XC Champion for Central Magnet HS in Murfreesboro
DNJ All-Area Runner of the Year
All-State performer in the indoor 3200m

Anday: "I chose Tennessee because of the intimacy that the team has with one another. Here, I knew I could excel athletically and academically and become a piece in a phenomenal cross country/track & field program."
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Track Signee - Canaan Anderson

Canaan Anderson
Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Siegel HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

Mile - 4:15.95
3200m - 9:17.75
5K (XC) - 15:05.4

Notables:

Six-time All-State performer for Siegel HS in Murfreesboro
2020 state champion in the mile (4:20.48)
2020 state runner-up in the indoor 3,200m (9:18.83)
2019 Foot Locker XC national championship qualifier

Anderson: "I enjoyed Tennessee's campus and how well-kept it was along with the facilities. I also loved the team dynamic and saw myself fitting in well at Tennessee."
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Track Signee - Christopher Bailey

Christopher Bailey
Atlanta, Ga. (Carver HS / Mississippi Valley St.)
Event: Sprints
PRs:

200m (indoor) - 22.17
200m (outdoor) - 21.58
400m (indoor) - 47.81
400m (outdoor) - 46.46

Notables:

Joined the Vols as a midyear enrollee in January 2020
Made his Tennessee debut at the SEC Indoor Championships, running 46.67 the opening leg of the 4x400-meter relay to help the Vols run a season-best 3:07.36
Competed as a freshman last season at Mississippi Valley State
2019 Indoor SWAC Champion (400m)
2019 Outdoor SWAC Runner-Up (400m)

Bailey: "I chose the University of Tennessee because of the new experience I was looking for, not only athletically but academically. I feel as though being here will provide me with what I require to better myself on and off the track."
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Track Signee - Elliot Barner

Elliot Barner
Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Central HS)
Event: Jumps
PRs:

Triple Jump - 47-10 (14.58m)
Long Jump - 21-9 (6.63m)

Notables:

2019 Tennessee triple jump state champion from Memphis Central HS

Barner: "The reason I chose Tennessee is because they focus on being a student-athlete, getting it done in the classroom as well as on the track."
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Track Signee - Garison Breeding

Garison Breeding
Midland, Texas (Midland Christian HS)
Event: Jumps
PRs:

Triple Jump - 49-11 (15.21m)
Long Jump - 22-3 (6.78m)

Notables:

Ranked as the No. 2 U.S. high school triple jumper in 2020
2019 TAPPS State Champion in the triple jump
All-state defensive back for the Midland Christian football team

Breeding: "I really loved the atmosphere at the University of Tennessee. The coaches and team were extremely inviting. It felt like home and where God was calling me to."
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Track Signee - Spencer Brown

Spencer Brown
New Milford, Conn. (Immaculate HS / Mount St. Mary's)
Event: Jumps/Hurdles
PRs:

Long Jump - 7.01m (23-0)
60m Hurdles - 8.36

Notables:

Freshman transfer - competed during the 2020 indoor season at Mount St. Mary's University
Two-time Northeast Conference All-Rookie team member
Won bronze at the 2020 NEC Indoor Championships in the long jump (6.97m / 22-10.5)
Ran the 60m hurdles for the first time this season, clocking his fastest time of 8.36 at the NEC Championships for the No. 6 mark in school history
7-time school record holder for Immaculate HS in Danbury, Connecticut
2018 New Balance Outdoor Nationals qualifier in the 1600m sprint medley relay

Brown: "I chose the University of Tennessee because it was the best school in order to develop me into the athlete, student and man I know I am capable of becoming."
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Track Signee - Skylar Coffey

Skylar Coffey
Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood HS)
Event: Throws
PRs:

Shot Put - 55-5.25 (16.90m)
Discus - 188-3 (57.38m)

Notables:

Two-time 2019 outdoor state champion for Brentwood HS (shot put/discus)
2019 New Balance Outdoor Nationals qualifier in the discus
High school wrestling All-American, two-time state champion

Thomas Gardiner
Warwick, N.Y. (Warwick Valley HS / Xavier)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

1500m - 3:51.74
Mile - 4:11.92
3000m - 8:31.25
8K (XC) - 24:48.3

Notables:

Sophomore transfer - ran two seasons of cross country and one season of track at Xavier University
Ran his 1500m PR at the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational, placing sixth in 3:51.74
Ended the indoor season with a PR in the mile (4:11.92) at the Big East Championships, placing ninth overall
Earned an eight-place finish in the 3000m at the Jim Green Invitational, running a time of 8:31.25

Gardiner: "I came from a high school where tradition is a major part of the team's focus. Being able to compete at a school with such deep roots in college track and field was always a dream. The team focus and commitment at Tennessee is phenomenal. There is a mindset of dedication to the sport from the top down."
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Track Signee - Mike Griffin

Mike Griffin
Wrentham, Mass. (King Philip Regional HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

Mile - 4:13.55
2000m Steeple - 5:57.19
3,000m - 8:49.50
5K (XC) - 15:32.9

Notables:

Ran a personal-best 4:13.55 in the mile to capture his second-straight state title in the event
2019 Foot Locker XC national championship qualifier
2019 New Balance Nationals Runner-Up - 2K Steeplechase
2019 Indoor State Champion - Mile

Griffin: "I chose the University of Tennessee because during my official visit, I felt right at home. I loved the team and felt as if I would fit right in. I absolutely loved the team facilities and everything that the school has to offer for student athletes."
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Track Signee - Wayne Pinnock

Wayne Pinnock
Kingston, Jamaica (Kingston College)
Event: Jumps/Hurdles
PRs:

Long Jump - 8.14m (26-8.5)
110m Hurdles - 13.06

Notables:

Jamaican U20 national record holder in the long jump
U20 World No. 4 all-time in the 110-meter hurdles
2018 U20 World Championships bronze medalist (long jump)
2019 Jamaican National High School Athlete of the Year
Two-time CARIFTA Games long jump champion
2019 U20 Pan Am Games long jump champion
Attended Kingston College, the same high school as Tennessee's SEC Field Athlete of the Year Carey McLeod and volunteer assistant coach Clive Pullen

Pinnock: "Tennessee has a good program in terms of jumps and hurdles and I believe I will strive there. I think it's the right place for me to become the next upcoming athlete in the world."
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Track Signee - Kenney Solomon

Kenney Solomon
Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Socastee HS)
Event: Sprints
PRs:

60m - 6.80
100m - 10.57
200m - 21.57
Long Jump - 22-4.5 (6.82m)

Notables:

Joined the Vols midway through the 2020 indoor season, continuing Tennessee's long-standing tradition of dual-sport athletes between the track and football programs
Ran a time of 6.80 at the SEC Indoor Championships, placing 13th overall
Reserve defensive back for the Tennessee Volunteers (former walk-on who was awarded a scholarship in November), appearing in 11 games during the 2019 season
Recorded an interception for UT in his college debut vs. Chattanooga
Finished runner-up at the South Carolina 5A track & field meet with personal-best times in the 100-meter dash (10.57) and 200-meter dash (21.57)

Msgana Araya
Brentwood, Tenn. (Ravenwood HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

Mile - 5:24.23
3200m - 11:11.30
5K (XC) - 18:51.18

Notables:

Placed 13th at the TSSAA state cross country meet in 2019
Member of the 2019 Tennessean All-Midstate girls cross country team

Araya: "I believe attending UT gives me the opportunity to successfully prepare for medical school while doing what I love and competing with one of the best teams in the South."
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Track Signee - Carolyn Barksdale

Carolyn Barksdale
Germantown, Tenn. (Saint Agnes Academy)
Event: Middle Distance
PRs:

400m - 57.80
800m - 2:18.30

Notables:

2019 TSSAA Division II-AA State Champion in the girls' 800m
Helped Saint Agnes Academy capture back-to-back state titles in the 4x800m relay
Four-sport athlete for the Tigers (track & field, soccer, basketball, swimming)

Barskdale: "I decided to choose the University of Tennessee because it feels like home. When I was offered a spot on the track team, I was beyond excited because I get to keep doing what I love in the place I love. I have been a Vol fan my entire life, and I am so excited that I am able to keep the family tradition going."
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Track Signee - Ayesha Champagnie

Ayesha Champagnie
Kingston, Jamaica (St. Andrew Technical HS / Barton County CC / Minnesota)
Event: Multis/Throws
PRs:

Pentathlon - 4,155 points
Heptathlon - 5,821 points
Long Jump - 6.56m (21-6.25)
Javelin - 49.55m (162-7)

Notables:

Graduate transfer - spent the past two seasons competing at the University of Minnesota
2020 NCAA Indoor National Championship qualifier in the women's pentathlon
2020 Big Ten indoor silver medalist (pentathlon - 4,155 points)
Won gold at the 2019 Jamaican Championships in the javelin (49.19m)
Placed 9th in the heptathlon at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships for second team All-America honors
2019 Big Ten outdoor bronze medalist (heptathlon - 5,821 points)
Her personal-best marks of 5,821 points in the heptathlon and 4,155 points in the pentathlon would rank first and second in UT history, respectively
Began her collegiate career at Barton County Community College (Kan.), winning six NJCAA individual national championships over the course of two seasons

Champagnie: "Tennessee has a great athletic and academic program that fits who I want to be in the future. With the great coaching staff here at Tennessee, I know on the track I will be successful."
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Track Signee - Nayoka Clunis

Nayoka Clunis
Kingston, Jamaica (Excelsior HS / Cloud County CC / Minnesota)
Event: Throws
PRs:

Shot put (indoor) - 17.05m (55-11.25)
Shot put (outdoor) - 17.18m (56-4.5)
Weight throw - 22.13m (72-7.25)
Discus - 52.67m (172-10)
Hammer - 64.26m (210-10)

Notables:

Graduate transfer - spent the past two seasons competing at the University of Minnesota
Double qualifier for the 2020 NCAA Indoor National Championships (shot put, weight throw)
2020 Big Ten indoor silver medalist (weight throw - 22.13m)
Won silver at the 2019 Jamaican Championships in the women's hammer throw (58.87m), bronze in the shot put (16.34m)
Earned two USTFCCCA Second Team All-America honors during the 2018 season in the weight throw and hammer throw
Began her collegiate career at Cloud County Community College (Kan.), earning 11 USTFCCCA junior college All-America honors and winning the discus national title in 2017

Clunis: "I love the family orientation that I have gotten throughout my recruitment period. I can see myself doing amazing things in the immediate future with the coaching staff at the University of Tennessee."
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Track Signee - Ellison Colarossi

Ellison Colarossi
Dove Canyon, Calif. (Tesoro HS)
Event: Pole Vault
PRs:

Pole vault - 12-3 (3.73m)

Notables:

Ranked as the No. 8 HS pole vaulter from the state of California for the 2020 season
Placed third at the 2020 California Winter State Championships with a clearance of 11-11 (3.63m)
Won back-to-back titles at the USATF Southern California Junior Olympic Championships in 2018 and 2019
Graduated from Tesoro HS in Orange County as valedictorian with a 4.2 GPA

Colarossi: "I have always been interested in the track program at Tennessee, but when I started looking into academics it became very clear that UT had what I wanted to pursue in life. I also wanted to try a new and exciting place for college."
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Track Signee - Jette Davidson

Jette Davidson
Lynchburg, Va. (E.C. Glass HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

1600m - 5:07.47
3200m - 11:04.07
5K (XC) - 18:06.5

Notables:

9x All-State distance runner for E.C. Glass HS in Lynchburg, Virginia
3x All-Area Cross Country Runner of the Year
2017 All-American in the 4x1600m relay, helping E.C. Glass place 5th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals

Davidson: "I chose the University of Tennessee because I love the location of the school, the girls on the team and all the coaches."
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Track Signee - Kayla Gholar

Kayla Gholar
Richmond Hill, Ga. (Richmond Hill HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

800m - 2:14.60
1600m - 5:06.45
5K (XC) - 18:12.53

Notables:

Named the Savannah Morning News 2019 Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year
2019 Georgia 6A XC Individual Champion
2019 Georgia 6A 1600m Champion
2019 Georgia 6A 800m Runner-Up

Gholar: "Out of all the places I've lived, I have always considered Tennessee to be my home. It felt good to be back home where I belong."
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Track Signee - Avery Jackson

Avery Jackson
Clarksburg, Md. (Clarksburg HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

800m - 2:28.38
1600m - 5:22.0
3200m - 11:36.25
5K (XC) - 19:11.0

Notables:

Two-time Maryland 4A All-State cross country performer in 2017 and 2019
Finished fourth at the 4A West regional XC meet in 2019

Jackson: "I felt so at home at the University of Tennessee and knew it was a big school with so many opportunities. I love the school spirit! They also had a great architecture program."
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Track Signee - Olivia Janke

Olivia Janke
Annapolis, Md. (Broadneck HS / Towson)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

1500m - 4:39.31
Mile - 4:52.30
3000m - 9:37.70
5000m - 17:11.04
6K (XC) - 20:41.5

Notables:

Sophomore transfer - joined the Lady Vols track program in January 2020
During her first indoor season at Tennessee, ran personal-best times in the mile and 3,000m
Anchored the Tennessee women's DMR to a bronze medal at the 2020 SEC Indoor Championships, running her 1,600m split in 4:45.21
Ran the fastest mile of her career at the Tiger Paw Invitational with a mark of 4:52.30
Won the women's 3,000m at the Tiger Paw Invite with a personal-best 9:37.70 — the fastest time by a Lady Vol since 2016
Ran two seasons of cross country and one season of track at Towson University
Earned All-Region cross country honors for Towson with a 20th-place finish at the 2019 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Championships

Janke: "I chose to attend the University of Tennessee because I loved the family atmosphere, the amazing facilities and the great coaching staff!"
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Track Signee - Eleanor Mancini

Eleanor Mancini
Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

800m - 2:15.61
1600m - 5:14.50
5K (XC) - 18:53.10

Notables:

Homegrown prospect from nearby Knoxville Catholic HS
2019 TSSAA runner-up in the girls' 800m run
Took second place in the 2K steeplechase (7:34.94) at the 2019 Vol Track Classic at UT's Tom Black Track

Mancini: "Although I'm from Knoxville, I wasn't raised by Vols. So, I was so excited by how much UT felt like home. I loved the team, the coaches and the school, and I knew it was where I was supposed to be. I am excited to finally convert my family into Vols-for-life!"
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Track Signee - Callie Tucker

Callie Tucker
Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)
Event: XC/Distance
PRs:

Mile - 4:57.81
3200m - 10:37.53
5000m - 18:24.64

Notables:

2020 Tennessee indoor state bronze medalist in the two-mile (10:56.58)
2019 Tennessee XC individual state champion

Tucker: "I chose Tennessee because of the drive behind their program, supportive coaching staff and incredible girls on the team. I believe that they will be accomplishing big goals in the coming years and wanted to be a part of the Vol family."
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Track Signee - Mikele Vickers

Mikele Vickers
Nashville, Tenn. (Lipscomb Academy)
Event: Sprints/Jumps
PRs:

60m - 7.73
100m - 11.95
Long Jump - 19-0.75 (5.81m)
Triple Jump - 39-6 (12.04m)

Notables:

Swept long jump and triple jump state titles at the 2020 TSSAA Indoor Championships
Two-time 2019 outdoor state champion in the 100m dash and long jump
Two-time 2019 indoor state champion in the 60m and triple jump

Vickers: "Initially, I wanted the opportunity to get out of the state for college. However, when I visited the University of Tennessee, I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere, the campus, and most importantly, the track team. There was an instant connection."
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Track Signee - Zoe Vlk

Zoe Vlk
Lebanon, Tenn. (Wilson Central HS)
Event: Throws
PRs:

Shot Put - 49-1.5 (14.97m)
Discus - 136-11 (41.73m)
Weight Throw - 55-6.5 (16.93m)

Notables:

Won the 2020 indoor shot put state title with a meet record throw of 13.28 meters (43-7)
Defended her Tennessee weight throw title in 2020 with a toss of 15.90 meters (52-2)
2019 New Balance Nationals Outdoor Champion - Shot Put
Three-time state champion in 2019 (shot put, discus, weight throw)

Vlk: "The University of Tennessee is fantastic, with a beautiful campus and excellent curriculum. The track and field team has an amazing coaching staff, top notch facilities and equipment, and a really great group of current athletes. Overall, it was the best choice for me and my family."

University of Tennessee Athletics

Players Mentioned

Christopher Bailey

Thomas Gardiner

Olivia Janke

Carey McLeod

Kenney Solomon

Darryl Sullivan

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