University of Tennessee Athletics
Men’s Pole Vault Squad Makes History At Bob Pollock Invitational
January 31, 2026 | Track & Field
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee men's pole vault squad reached a historic milestone Saturday at the Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina, as three Vols soared over 18 feet for the first time this season. Newcomer Ismaila Sawaneh earned the win with a leap of 5.66 meters (18-6.75), while Blake Sifferlin and Evan Puckett finished second and third, respectively, with marks of 5.56 meters (18-3).
Combined with Clarke Byram and Cade Gray's season-best performances of 5.61 meters (18-4.75) at the Winter Commodore Challenge in December, Tennessee became the first program in collegiate history to have five pole vaulters clear 18 feet in the same season.
Sawaneh's performance (5.66m / 18-6.75) ranked third in school history and seventh on the 2025–26 NCAA Division I list, while Sifferlin and Puckett's mark (5.56m / 18-3) tied for 10th nationally this season and seventh in Tennessee indoor history.
The Vols also recorded a historic performance in the men's mile at Boston University's John Thomas Terrier Classic. True freshman Nelson Mapi Setek broke the school record with a time of 3:58.37, becoming the third sub-four-minute Vol miler in program history and the first to achieve the feat on a regular 200-meter track.
Additionally, sophomore Gavin Genisio turned in a personal-best 4:00.82 in the mile, improving his standing to No. 6 in school history.
Tennessee wrapped up the BU Terrier Classic in the men's open 5,000-meter as two Vol sophomores recorded top-three marks in program history. Zouhair Redouane was the top collegiate finisher with a time of 13:34.75, ranking second on UT's all-time list, while Ethan Edgeworth finished as the third collegian and posted the No. 3 mark in school history at 13:36.14.
Saturday's action began with a victory in the women's pole vault at Clemson, as Lady Vol junior Skye Tolbert claimed first place with a mark of 4.12 meters (13-6.25).
PR TRACKER: Tennessee athletes combined to break six indoor personal records on Saturday at the Bob Pollock Invitational and John Thomas Terrier Classic.
Combined with Clarke Byram and Cade Gray's season-best performances of 5.61 meters (18-4.75) at the Winter Commodore Challenge in December, Tennessee became the first program in collegiate history to have five pole vaulters clear 18 feet in the same season.
Sawaneh's performance (5.66m / 18-6.75) ranked third in school history and seventh on the 2025–26 NCAA Division I list, while Sifferlin and Puckett's mark (5.56m / 18-3) tied for 10th nationally this season and seventh in Tennessee indoor history.
The Vols also recorded a historic performance in the men's mile at Boston University's John Thomas Terrier Classic. True freshman Nelson Mapi Setek broke the school record with a time of 3:58.37, becoming the third sub-four-minute Vol miler in program history and the first to achieve the feat on a regular 200-meter track.
Additionally, sophomore Gavin Genisio turned in a personal-best 4:00.82 in the mile, improving his standing to No. 6 in school history.
Tennessee wrapped up the BU Terrier Classic in the men's open 5,000-meter as two Vol sophomores recorded top-three marks in program history. Zouhair Redouane was the top collegiate finisher with a time of 13:34.75, ranking second on UT's all-time list, while Ethan Edgeworth finished as the third collegian and posted the No. 3 mark in school history at 13:36.14.
Saturday's action began with a victory in the women's pole vault at Clemson, as Lady Vol junior Skye Tolbert claimed first place with a mark of 4.12 meters (13-6.25).
PR TRACKER: Tennessee athletes combined to break six indoor personal records on Saturday at the Bob Pollock Invitational and John Thomas Terrier Classic.
- Carter Knox – Men's 800m – 1:49.70
- Nelson Mapi Setek – Men's Mile – 3:58.37
- Gavin Genisio – Men's Mile – 4:00.82
- Ismaila Sawaneh – Men's Pole Vault – 5.66m (18-6.75)
- Evan Puckett – Men's Pole Vault – 5.56m (18-3)
- Blake Sifferlin – Men's Pole Vault – 5.56m (18-3)
Players Mentioned
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault/Jumps
/ Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault/Hurdles
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