Anderson, Korakidis Topple Records at Crimson Tide Invite

Anderson, Korakidis Topple Records at Crimson Tide Invite

April 22, 2022 | Track & Field

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Tennessee track & field had an electric start to the Crimson Tide Invite Friday night as senior Georgios Korakidis and freshman Canaan Anderson toppled a school record and a freshman record at Alabama's Sam Bailey Track & Field Stadium.

Korakidis surpassed his own school record in the men's hammer throw Friday, heaving 70.51m (231-4). His previous school-record throw measured 69.45m (227-10), which he set last season at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor National Championships.

The Kilkis, Greece, native placed fifth overall in the event and was the second-place collegiate finisher.

Building off an excellent 1,500-meter run last weekend at the War Eagle Invitational, Anderson took down the Tennessee Freshman Record in the event at the Crimson Tide Invite. The rookie runner crossed the line in 3:42.46, toppling the old freshman record of 3:44.59 set by Sam James in1977.

Anderson's time also makes him the fourth-fastest performer in the 1,500m in program history.

HAYDEN BRINGS THE HAMMER

Chandler Hayden brought her hammer to work in Tuscaloosa as she moved up the Lady Vols' top-10 list in the hammer throw and cracked 60-meters for the first time.

The sophomore eclipsed 60-meters on her second throw, hurling a personal-best 62.41m (204-9). Hayden's mark moves her from fifth to third all-time in Lady Vol history and sealed her first-career victory in the event.

POPPIN' OFF IN THE 1,500

Tennessee's 1,500m magic wasn't limited to Anderson as seven other members of the squad set personal-best or season-best times.

For the women, Olivia Janke and Jette Davidson ran personal-best times of 4:21.33 and 4:49.47, respectively. Jasmine Fehr (4:32.46), Erin Spreen (4:45.35) and Ainsley Cooper (4:46.30) all crossed the line with season-best runs.

On the men's side, Tim Thacker and Thomas Gardiner brought the fun home in the 1,500m as they each finished with lifetime bests. Thacker raced across the line in 3:43.79, while Gardiner followed in 3:50.76.

STEEPLE FUN

Eli Nahom and Matthew McMillan posted career-best performances in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase Saturday night. Nahom placed second in the event at 9:01.36, with McMillan finishing fifth in 9:11.52.

PR TRACKER

Georgios Korakidis – Men's Hammer – 70.51m (231-4) – School Record

Chandler Hayden – Women's Hammer – 62.41m (204-9) – 3rd in Tennessee History

Olivia Janke – Women's 1,500m – 4:21.33

Jette Davidson – Women's 1,500m – 4:49.47

Canaan Anderson – Men's 1,500m – 3:42.46 – Freshman Record – 4th in Tennessee History

Tim Thacker – Men's 1,500m – 3:43.79

Thomas Gardiner – Men's 1,500m – 3:50.76

Eli Nahom – Men's 3,000m Steeplechase – 9:01.36

Matthew McMillan – Men's 3,000m Steeplechase – 9:11.52

UP NEXT

The Vols and Lady Vols conclude the Crimson Tide Invite with a full day of competition Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. ET with the men's discus throw.