University of Tennessee Athletics
Cade Gray Soars To SEC Pole Vault Lead At Doc Hale Invite
February 06, 2026 | Track & Field
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With Tennessee track & field in action Friday at the Doc Hale Invitational in Blacksburg, Virginia, and the Windy City Invitational in Chicago, redshirt senior Cade Gray delivered UT's most notable performance with a personal-best clearance of 5.68 meters (18-7.5) in the men's pole vault at Virginia Tech.
Gray's leap set the top mark in the Southeastern Conference this season and currently ranks sixth nationally in NCAA Division I for 2025-26. He also moved up to No. 3 on Tennessee's all-time indoor top 10 list, which features five current members of the Volunteer pole vault squad under the direction of assistant coach Kyle Ellis.
Tennessee claimed four victories in the short sprints and hurdles on Friday, beginning with Lady Vol junior Skye Tolbert capturing the 60-meter hurdles title at Virginia Tech in 8.24 seconds. On the men's side, recent signee Serges Taha made his collegiate debut in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking 7.73 to earn the win, followed closely by teammate Kalib Branch in second at 7.75. Both performances were personal bests, with Taha's time ranking 10th on UT's all-time list.
UT added two more wins in the 60-meter dash, as senior Lauren Jarrett (7.32) claimed the women's title at Virginia Tech, while true freshman Cole Cramer (6.65) won the men's final in Chicago in his collegiate debut.
Friday's action concluded with Vol sophomore Igor Olaru posting a lifetime-best performance in the weight throw, finishing third with a mark of 21.94 meters (71-11.75). His throw ranks fifth in program history and 11th nationally for the 2025-26 season.
PR TRACKER: Tennessee athletes combined to break or tie seven indoor personal records on Friday at the Doc Hale Invitational and Windy City Invitational.
Gray's leap set the top mark in the Southeastern Conference this season and currently ranks sixth nationally in NCAA Division I for 2025-26. He also moved up to No. 3 on Tennessee's all-time indoor top 10 list, which features five current members of the Volunteer pole vault squad under the direction of assistant coach Kyle Ellis.
Tennessee claimed four victories in the short sprints and hurdles on Friday, beginning with Lady Vol junior Skye Tolbert capturing the 60-meter hurdles title at Virginia Tech in 8.24 seconds. On the men's side, recent signee Serges Taha made his collegiate debut in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking 7.73 to earn the win, followed closely by teammate Kalib Branch in second at 7.75. Both performances were personal bests, with Taha's time ranking 10th on UT's all-time list.
UT added two more wins in the 60-meter dash, as senior Lauren Jarrett (7.32) claimed the women's title at Virginia Tech, while true freshman Cole Cramer (6.65) won the men's final in Chicago in his collegiate debut.
Friday's action concluded with Vol sophomore Igor Olaru posting a lifetime-best performance in the weight throw, finishing third with a mark of 21.94 meters (71-11.75). His throw ranks fifth in program history and 11th nationally for the 2025-26 season.
PR TRACKER: Tennessee athletes combined to break or tie seven indoor personal records on Friday at the Doc Hale Invitational and Windy City Invitational.
- Serges Taha – Men's 60m Hurdles – 7.73
- Kalib Branch – Men's 60m Hurdles – 7.75
- Cade Gray – Men's Pole Vault – 5.68m (18-7.5)
- Igor Olaru – Men's Weight Throw – 21.94m (71-11.75)
- Avia Jones – Women's 60m – 7.31
- Jouneé Armstrong – Women's 60m – 7.41
- Endia Smith – Women's 60m – 7.82
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault/Jumps
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & Field
Throws
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault/Hurdles
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