Gray Vaults to Victory at Razorback Invitational, Sets New PR
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Tennessee kicked off the Razorback Invitational in impressive fashion, claiming the men’s pole vault title and setting several personal bests.
The meet, hosted at the University of Arkansas’ renowned Randal Tyson Track Center, saw the Volunteers achieve multiple top-10 program performances in indoor track and field.
Cade Gray made a remarkable impact, securing a first-place finish in the men’s pole vault while setting a personal record.
His victory headlined Tennessee’s strong start on Friday in Fayetteville. Several other athletes from the Volunteer squad also posted significant performances, which are highlighted below.
The meet continues Saturday, with Tennessee competing across 13 events throughout the day. The action begins at 11:20 a.m. ET with the men’s 60-meter qualifiers and wraps up around 5:15 p.m. with the women’s 4×400-meter relay.
Key Performances
Redshirt junior Cade Gray opened the competition with a standout performance in the men’s pole vault, reaching a height of 5.60m (18-4.5).
This mark earned him the victory at the meet and represented a personal best. His vault tied him with 2004 Olympic Champion Tim Mack for third on Tennessee’s all-time indoor list.
Currently, Gray ranks fourth nationally and second in the SEC for the season. His impressive result demonstrated not only his talent but his potential to make waves on the national stage.
Sophomore Grant Campbell impressed in the men’s high jump, clearing a personal best of 2.18m (7-1.75) to place third.
This achievement moved him into eighth place on the program’s all-time indoor list. Campbell’s performance also secured him the fourth spot in the SEC this season, showing his growing stature in the event.
In the men’s 200-meter dash, junior T’Mars McCallum posted a career-best time of 20.76 seconds, which was enough to place him ninth in Tennessee history for the indoor 200-meter.
McCallum’s mark ties him for the ninth spot on the NCAA rankings for this season, showcasing his elite speed.
On the women’s side, sophomore Ka’Myya Haywood had a solid start to her season in the 800-meter, clocking in at 2:07.41. This performance earned her second place in her heat and seventh overall in the field.
Graduate student Kaniya Johnson also shone in the women’s 200-meter dash, winning her heat with a season-best time of 23.76 seconds. Her performance placed her 11th in the overall field, further emphasizing her strong start to the year.
Freshman Aidan Ifkovits also made a mark in the men’s weight throw. He launched a new personal record of 20.06m (65-9.75) in his second throw, which earned him a 10th-place finish in the event.
Ifkovits’ impressive performance not only improved his standing as the ninth-best performer in UT history, but also made him the top-ranked NCAA Division I true freshman in the event this season.
Personal Record Tracker
Tennessee athletes recorded six personal bests on Day 1 of the Razorback Invitational, further underscoring the team’s success:
T’Mars McCallum – Men’s 200m: 20.76
Jarryn Lowe – Men’s 800m: 1:52.28
Grant Campbell – Men’s High Jump: 2.18m (7-1.75)
Cade Gray – Men’s Pole Vault: 5.60m (18-4.5)
Aidan Ifkovits – Men’s Weight Throw: 20.06m (65-9.75)
Kylie Feeney – Women’s 800m: 2:12.30
With these outstanding performances, Tennessee’s track and field program has demonstrated impressive depth and potential for the remainder of the season.
As the meet continues on Saturday, the Volunteers will look to build on their strong start and continue setting new personal records and team milestones.
