UT Concludes Southeastern Conference

A UT Pole Vaulter launches over the bar. (The Herald/ Submitted Photo)

Highlighted by a runner-up finish from freshman pole vaulter Jake Blankenship, the University of Tennessee track & field team concluded the 2013 Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships at the Randal Tyson Track Center Fayetteville, Ark. Feb. 24.

“This was a championship that we had some underclassmen come through,” said Tennessee Director of Track & Field/Cross Country J.J. CLARK. “We had Cassie (Wertman), Cameron (Brown) and Jake all scoring as freshmen. Austin Whitelaw was ninth, just outside of scoring.”

Blankenship, who entered the meet ranked second in the conference and seventh in the nation in the event, posted the highest finish of the meet for the Big Orange. Seeking the Vols’ 19th SEC indoor pole vault title and the sixth in the past eight seasons, the rookie went head-to-head against the defending indoor and outdoor SEC champion, Andrew Irwin of Arkansas.

The Blacklick, Ohio, native breezed through the first four heights, surpassing each of them on his first attempt. After passing 18-0.5 on his second attempt, Blankenship proceeded to improve his own UT freshman record with a vault of 18-2.5 (5.55m) on his first attempt.