Schmitt, Douglas Post Record-Breaking Performances At Orange & Purple Invite Friday Results
CLEMSON, S.C. – Tennessee’s track & field team set two program records on Friday at the Orange & Purple Invite inside Clemson’s Indoor Track & Field Complex. Senior Sarah Schmitt broke the women’s pole vault record, while freshman Donna Douglas set a new Lady Vol freshman record in the women’s weight throw.
The team’s action at the meet continued Saturday, competing in 11 events starting at 10 a.m. with the women’s shot put and ending around 4:15 p.m. with the men’s 4×400-meter relay.
Individual Highlights
Sarah Schmitt delivered an outstanding performance, clearing five heights consecutively, ultimately reaching 4.36m (14-3.5) in the women’s pole vault. Her mark surpassed the previous school record of 4.34m (14-2.75) set by Hannah Jefcoat in 2021. Schmitt’s jump ranks second in the SEC and ninth in the NCAA this season.
Kendall Ford, a sophomore pole vaulter, also set a personal best, clearing 4.02m (13-2.25) to tie for third place at the meet, matching her No. 9 ranking in program history.
Donna Douglas made history in the women’s weight throw by launching a personal best of 19.82m (65-0.5), breaking the Lady Vol freshman record previously held by Chandler Hayden (19.61m/64-4) from 2020. Douglas now ranks sixth in the SEC this season and has the top mark in the country for a true freshman.
Tennessee’s sprinters performed strongly in the 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles semifinals. Javonte’ Harding ran a personal best of 6.64 seconds, while Davonte Howell posted a season-best time of 6.66. In the women’s 60-meter hurdles, Myreanna Bebe led with a time of 8.09, followed by Layla Anderson (8.15) and Kiara Smith (8.23), both achieving season-best times. Kalib Branch, a sophomore, ran a personal best of 7.83 in the men’s 60-meter hurdles, just missing a spot in the program’s top 10.
Former Lady Vol Jacious Sears debuted professionally in the 60-meter dash, winning the semifinal with a time of 7.15 seconds. This mark meets the World Indoor Championship standard for 2025 and currently ranks fourth on the 2024 world list.
PR Tracker
Tennessee athletes combined for 11 indoor personal records on Friday at the Orange & Purple Invitational:
Javonte’ Harding – Men’s 60m – 6.64
Luke Mussard – Men’s Mile – 4:09.73
Brody Chapman – Men’s Mile – 4:10.93
Thomas Rice – Men’s Mile – 4:11.25
Kalib Branch – Men’s 60m Hurdles – 7.83
Cydney Wright – Women’s 400m – 53.41
Jaylee Wingate – Women’s Mile – 4:56.41
Savannah Rivera – Women’s Mile – 4:59.74
Sarah Schmitt – Women’s Pole Vault – 4.36m (14-3.5)
Kendall Ford – Women’s Pole Vault – 4.02m (13-2.25)
Donna Douglas – Women’s Weight Throw – 19.82m (65-0.5)
