University of Tennessee Athletics
Nuriddin Takes Down UT Freshman Record At Bob Pollock Invite
January 26, 2024 | Track & Field
CLEMSON, S.C. – Tennessee freshman sprinter Zyaire Nuriddin broke the program's all-time freshman record in the indoor 400-meter dash to highlight UT performances on Friday at the Bob Pollock Invitational. The rookie from Newark, Delaware, clocked in at 46.54 to place second at the meet, taking down VFL Shannon Wheatley's freshman standard mark of 47.05 from 2000 by more than half a second.
Nuriddin's time moved the freshman standout to No. 4 on Tennessee's all-time indoor performance list. His mark ranks atop the 2024 U20 World Athletics list, is the fastest by an NCAA Division I freshman this season and ranks No. 12 in the NCAA overall.
The Big Orange totaled eight top-eight finishes and 12 season-best marks during Friday's competition at Clemson. Graduate hurdler Kiara Smith shined in her second meet as a Lady Vol, running back-to-back season bests in the 60-meter hurdles that culminated in a fourth-place finish with her time of 8.32 in the final. That mark raised Smith to No. 9 on UT's all-time list in the event.
The Lady Vols secured a pair of top-10 finishes in the women's invitational pole vault to kick off the meet. Junior Sarah Schmitt tied for sixth after clearing 3.85 meters (12-7.5) on her first attempt, while redshirt junior Ellison Colarossi placed 10th with her clearance of 3.85 meters (12-7.5) on her second try.
On the long jump runway, Mikele Vickers had a consistent series with three jumps of 19-4 (5.89m) or better. The Nashville native took sixth in the competition with her fifth round mark of 5.96m (19-6.75).
Tennessee seniors Joella Lloyd and Javonte' Harding each picked up heat wins in the 60-meter prelims and came back to post season-best times in their respective finals. On the women's side, Lloyd finished sixth in her season debut with a time of 7.39, while Harding's 6.74 in the men's final was good for fifth place at the meet.
Freshman Kalib Branch continued his promising campaign with a PR-tying mark of 7.92 in the 60-meter hurdles prelims at Clemson. Competing alongside numerous post-collegiate athletes in the final, the rookie took seventh with a time of 7.98.
In addition to Nuriddin's impressive sprint in the 400-meter dash, three of his teammates tabbed indoor personal records on Friday at Clemson. Fifth-year senior Rasheeme Griffith tied his indoor best with a time of 47.22 for eighth place, while freshman Christian Parker turned in a time of 47.29 for 10th overall. Lady Vol redshirt freshman Kylah Buckle made her collegiate indoor debut and clocked in with an indoor PR of 55.95 seconds.
PR TRACKER: Tennessee athletes combined to break or tie five indoor personal records on Friday at the Bob Pollock Invitational.
Nuriddin's time moved the freshman standout to No. 4 on Tennessee's all-time indoor performance list. His mark ranks atop the 2024 U20 World Athletics list, is the fastest by an NCAA Division I freshman this season and ranks No. 12 in the NCAA overall.
The Big Orange totaled eight top-eight finishes and 12 season-best marks during Friday's competition at Clemson. Graduate hurdler Kiara Smith shined in her second meet as a Lady Vol, running back-to-back season bests in the 60-meter hurdles that culminated in a fourth-place finish with her time of 8.32 in the final. That mark raised Smith to No. 9 on UT's all-time list in the event.
The Lady Vols secured a pair of top-10 finishes in the women's invitational pole vault to kick off the meet. Junior Sarah Schmitt tied for sixth after clearing 3.85 meters (12-7.5) on her first attempt, while redshirt junior Ellison Colarossi placed 10th with her clearance of 3.85 meters (12-7.5) on her second try.
On the long jump runway, Mikele Vickers had a consistent series with three jumps of 19-4 (5.89m) or better. The Nashville native took sixth in the competition with her fifth round mark of 5.96m (19-6.75).
Tennessee seniors Joella Lloyd and Javonte' Harding each picked up heat wins in the 60-meter prelims and came back to post season-best times in their respective finals. On the women's side, Lloyd finished sixth in her season debut with a time of 7.39, while Harding's 6.74 in the men's final was good for fifth place at the meet.
Freshman Kalib Branch continued his promising campaign with a PR-tying mark of 7.92 in the 60-meter hurdles prelims at Clemson. Competing alongside numerous post-collegiate athletes in the final, the rookie took seventh with a time of 7.98.
In addition to Nuriddin's impressive sprint in the 400-meter dash, three of his teammates tabbed indoor personal records on Friday at Clemson. Fifth-year senior Rasheeme Griffith tied his indoor best with a time of 47.22 for eighth place, while freshman Christian Parker turned in a time of 47.29 for 10th overall. Lady Vol redshirt freshman Kylah Buckle made her collegiate indoor debut and clocked in with an indoor PR of 55.95 seconds.
PR TRACKER: Tennessee athletes combined to break or tie five indoor personal records on Friday at the Bob Pollock Invitational.
- Nakhi Benjamin - Men's 60m - 7.01
- Kalib Branch - Men's 60m Hurdles - 7.92 (ties PR)
- Rasheeme Griffith - Men's 400m - 47.22 (ties PR)
- Christian Parker - Men's 400m - 47.29
- Kylah Buckle - Women's 400m - 55.95
Players Mentioned
Sprints
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Hurdles
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Sprints
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Pole Vault
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Hurdles
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Sprints
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Sprints
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Sprints
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Sprints
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Pole Vault
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Hurdles
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Jumps/Sprints
/ Track & FieldEverything Orange S2 | Sarah Schmitt (Track & Field)
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