Knoxville New Sentinel Article

please see link below:
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/may/28/bar-set-berry-high/

Berry Named SEC Freshman of the Year

Joe Berry was recently named the most outstanding freshman field event athlete in the SEC for 2008. He followed his runner-up finish indoors with a personal best and 1st place finish outdoors. Freshman compatriot Michael Ayers was named to the Freshman All-SEC team as well after finishing 3rd in the decathlon and 5th in the pole vault outdoors.

Jangy Addy awarded SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year

Decathlete Jangy Addy was awarded the 2008 SEC Scholar Athlete of The Year award. Jangy holds a 3.56 GPA in Journalism and electronic media. He is a 4 time SEC champion and 3 time All-American. He has improved his pole vault PR by 12 inches this year and has vaulted over 14 feet in all of his multi-event competitions.

2008 SEC OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Auburn, Alabama

1st: Joseph Berry (Fr.) - Tennessee - 5.25 (17' 2.5") PR, FR

5th: Michael Ayers (Fr.) - Tennessee - 5.05m (16' 6.5")PR

8th: Bradley Holtz (So.)- Tennessee - 4.95m (16' 2.5")

Joe, Michael, and Brad competed well in Auburn and secured 15 points for the Vols team effort. Four time SEC Champion and Senior team captain Michael Hogue was unable to compete in his final SEC Championship due to injury. He has handled the situation with impressive maturity and leadership. Joe Berry picked up where Michael left off by winning his first SEC title. Joe vaulted smartly and confidently over a new facility record and personal best. He had no misses until 17' 6" and cleared each bar with plenty to spare. His win extends the Tennessee pole vault streak of consecutive SEC titles to six. Decathlete Michael Ayers set a new personal best clearing 16' 6.5" on his 3rd attempt. He had a very nice attempt at 16' 11". His vaulting improved greatly as the competition progressed even after competing in the decathlon and finishing in 3rd place. Bradley Holtz made strides today before bowing out at 16'6". He moved through his largest poles ever and had to try to transition to 16 foot poles during the meet. The Tennessee pole vault crew has 4 vaulters qualified for the NCAA regional meet and will prepare to travel to Arkansas.

Smokey Mountain Twilight Meet

Knoxville, TN - Tom Black Track


1 Joseph Berry 5.05m 16-06.75
2 Brad Holtz 4.90m 16-00.75
3 Michael Ayers 4.90m 16-00.75 (ties PR)
3 Michael Seaman 4.90m 16-00.75 (ties PR)

The traditional Smokey Mountain Twilight meet was a very low key event that allowed us to have a small competition prior to our upcoming SEC championships while sleeping in our own beds. Joe Berry won his fourth meet of his young career while clearing 5.05. He then passed to 5.22m. Just after jumping a long jump PR, decathlete Michael Ayers tied his outdoor PR with 4.90. Redshirt Michael Seaman tied his recent PR, also clearing 4.90m.