Orange and White 2009
The guys competed in a fun little intrasquad meet tonight to put the finishing touches on a nice fall of training. Freshman Chase Brannon won based on the point system, while clearing 14'9" in the "jump off" section. His lifetime best is 15'. Brad, Joe, and Robert all cleared 4.90 easily, had nice attempts at 5.05, but then went to take shots at 5.20. All were jumping from short run ups. A point system was used and each vaulter had a total of 6 attempts, starting at lower than usual heights. Also in attendance were jumps coach Jerome Romain, team sports psychologist Dr. Joe Whitney, legendary UT pole vault coach Jim Bemiller, and former vaulter and team captain Jeff Trembley.
Fall Training 2009
They guys have been focussed and diligent this season as the program has undergone a transition. We have kept our eye on the ball as each guy has worked to improve on his most pressing areas of need. We plan to finish our training this week with a meet simulation from short to medium runs. As things stand now, we are planning on attending the following meets for the indoor season.
Meet #1: Kentucky Invitational
Meet #2: Virginia Tech
Meet #3: Rod McCravy - Kentucky
Meet #4: New York - New Balance Collegiate
Off Week
Meet #5: Virginia Tech
Meet #6: SEC Championships - Arkansas (USA Indoor - Brad Holtz)
Meet #7: Last Chance - hopefully not needed
Meet #8: NCAA Championships
Meet #1: Kentucky Invitational
Meet #2: Virginia Tech
Meet #3: Rod McCravy - Kentucky
Meet #4: New York - New Balance Collegiate
Off Week
Meet #5: Virginia Tech
Meet #6: SEC Championships - Arkansas (USA Indoor - Brad Holtz)
Meet #7: Last Chance - hopefully not needed
Meet #8: NCAA Championships
Former Vol Tom Pappas wins Thorpe Cup
Five-time U.S. champion and 2003 world champion decathlete Tom Pappas, an Azalea native and Glendale High graduate, posted the second best score in the world this year in leading Team USA to victory over Germany at the 16th annual Thorpe Cup combined events challenge over the weekend.
Pappas, who was not at full strength earlier in the year and did not compete at the USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, posted his best score in five years with 8,569 points in leading the Team USA men's squad to victory.
Looking to The Future
With the retirement of head coach Bill Webb, the University has decided to unite the men's and women's team under a singular director, JJ Clark. The tradition of great pole vaulting will continue at UT, as JJ has promised his full support of our long tradition. The Vols will have its top 3 vaulters returning from last year including Joe Berry, Brad Holtz and Robert Rasnick. We will also be welcoming Freshman Chase Brannon from Brentwood Academy in Tennessee. I continue to have high hopes for this crew in the future, although two key components have chosen to abdicate their place in Tennessee pole vault history and move on to other schools. We are hoping to see at least one if not three vols eclipse the 18 foot mark next year and to see us continue to pursue conference and national championships.
SEC OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Gainesville, FL
1. Joe Berry - 17' 7.75"
4. Brad Holtz - 16' 10.5"
7. Michael Ayers - 16' 6.5"
11. Michael Seaman - 16'
Joe fought hard to bring home the Vols 8th consecutive SEC crown. It was his third SEC title. He cleared a season best 5.38m. He made his last 3 bars on the first attempt, keeping pressure on his competition. Brad Holtz tied his outdoor personal best, bringing home a strong 4th place finish. Michael Ayers scrapped for points, clearing 5.05m the day after finishing a hard fought decathlon in the heat. All four guys are qualified for the NCAA regionals.
1. Joe Berry - 17' 7.75"
4. Brad Holtz - 16' 10.5"
7. Michael Ayers - 16' 6.5"
11. Michael Seaman - 16'
Joe fought hard to bring home the Vols 8th consecutive SEC crown. It was his third SEC title. He cleared a season best 5.38m. He made his last 3 bars on the first attempt, keeping pressure on his competition. Brad Holtz tied his outdoor personal best, bringing home a strong 4th place finish. Michael Ayers scrapped for points, clearing 5.05m the day after finishing a hard fought decathlon in the heat. All four guys are qualified for the NCAA regionals.
HOLTZ NAMED TO SEC COMMUNITY SERVICE TEAM
Tennessee junior Brad Holtz was named to the 2009 SEC Community Service Team, the league office announced Tuesday. Holtz was selected as Tennessee's male representative for track and field because of his numerous contributions to the Knoxville community.
Holtz served as the track and field team chair for the "Teams for Toys" program during the holiday season, which made each UT team responsible for purchasing gifts for a group of underprivileged children in the Knoxville area, wrapping them and delivering them. He also helped the track and field team on a Habitat for Humanity project in downtown Knoxville during the fall of 2008. The Barrington, R.I. native joined other track athletes on their annual fall trip to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital to visit patients and families as well.
He assisted several UT athletes in opening up a campus dining hall for the homeless and underprivileged on Thanksgiving, and was one of several UT athletes to serve hot chocolate to UT students on the pedestrian walkway during the winter.
The SEC sponsors Community Service Teams for all 20 league sponsored sports. The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to his community in superior service efforts.
SMOKEY MOUNTAIN TWILIGHT
Knoxville, TN
1. Michael Seaman - 5.05m, 16' 6.5" Ties PR
2. Brad Holtz - 4.90m, 16'
3. Michael Ayers - 4.72, 15' 6"
5. Matthew Best - 10' 6"
The guys vaulted in a low key meet at home on Tuesday night. Conditions were pretty good, with lightly swirling winds. Mikey won his first college meet with first attempt clearances at 4.90 and 5.05. He continues his progression this outdoor season, jumping 5.05 in his last 2 meets. 5.15-5.25 should come soon if he can shore up his take-off a bit and finish his swing aggressively. Bradley Holtz and Ayers were a bit off there game tonight but will build off of fine practices to prepare for the SEC.
PENN RELAYS
Philadelphia, PA
1. Joe Berry - 17' 4.5"
8. Micheal Seaman - 16' 6.5" PR
10. Brad Holtz - 16' 0.5"
1. Joe Berry - 17' 4.5"
8. Micheal Seaman - 16' 6.5" PR
10. Brad Holtz - 16' 0.5"
Joe Berry captured the Penn Relays Championship title by clearing 5.30m and having less misses at earlier heights. He returned to his old stomping grounds where he broke the Penn Relays record his senior year of high school. Michael Seaman continued his progression by clearing a personal best of 5.05m and achieving his first career regional qualifier. Brad Holtz cleared 16', struggling a bit during the meet after very good warm-ups. Competitoin was strong in this meet as many of the top NCAA vaulters were in attendance. The temperature was very hot and the crowd was tremendous, similar to a college football game. The winds were swirling in all directions and required some toughness from the vaulters. The guys will now prepare for the Smokey Mountain Twilight meet as they continue to gear up for SEC's and beyond.
SEA RAY RELAYS
Open Section
1st: Robert Rasnick 17'1" Unattached Double PR
Michael Seaman - Tennessee: NH
Invite Section
Brad Holtz - Tenn: NH
Joe Berry - Tenn: NH
This years version of the annual Sea Ray meet was a bit marred by weather. It seemed to get the best of the field. It was a mix of good and bad for the squad. Joe, Brad, and Michael all suffered from lackluster warm-ups and failed to clear the opening height. Hopefully, this disappointment will lead to increased determination and committment to rebound for the next meet. Redshirt Robert Rasnick was the highlight of the day, battling through difficult warm-ups to clear two lifetime bests. He was able to negotiate 16'6 and then 17'1, while still vaulting from 7 lefts. He continues to show he has big time vault potential after setting a lifetime best last week at 16'3". Although the sections were separate, Robert had the highest vault of the day for either section and had a few nice jumps at 5.30m.
1st: Robert Rasnick 17'1" Unattached Double PR
Michael Seaman - Tennessee: NH
Invite Section
Brad Holtz - Tenn: NH
Joe Berry - Tenn: NH
This years version of the annual Sea Ray meet was a bit marred by weather. It seemed to get the best of the field. It was a mix of good and bad for the squad. Joe, Brad, and Michael all suffered from lackluster warm-ups and failed to clear the opening height. Hopefully, this disappointment will lead to increased determination and committment to rebound for the next meet. Redshirt Robert Rasnick was the highlight of the day, battling through difficult warm-ups to clear two lifetime bests. He was able to negotiate 16'6 and then 17'1, while still vaulting from 7 lefts. He continues to show he has big time vault potential after setting a lifetime best last week at 16'3". Although the sections were separate, Robert had the highest vault of the day for either section and had a few nice jumps at 5.30m.
2009 FLORIDA RELAYS
The University of Florida
2. Berry, Joseph Tennessee 5.35m 17-06.50 SB
3. Ayers, Michael Tennessee 5.15m 16-10.75 Outdoor PR
8. Robert Rasnick Unattached-Tenn 4.96 16-02.75 PR
8. Seaman, Michael Tennessee 4.95m 16-02.75 Outdoor PR
10. Holtz, Brad Tennessee 4.80m 15-09.00
The guys made their first full return to outdoor competition at the Florida Relays. The sun was out and the temperature was perfect for pole vaulting. The winds were switchy and the direction of the pit was an issue. Joe Berry fought through inconsistent winds to place 2nd with a seasonal best of 5.35m. Michael Ayers jumped an outdoor personal best of 16-10.5" to continue his recent string of vaulting. People watching were freaked out by his 14 to 15 foot take-offs. Both guys achieved regional qualifying marks. Redshirt Robert Rasnick, broke through today with some 7 lefts vaulting to clear 4.95. He blew through all his poles but was fortunate to borrow a few poles from fellow competitors. Michael Seaman continued his miraculous return to vaulting, having his first comp from full run. He cleared 4.95m to eclipse his outdoor PR from last year. Brad Holtz showed signs of returning to form as he progressed through to some bigger poles and had more consistency in his run. We will hope for good weather and nice winds at the Sea Ray Relays.
2. Berry, Joseph Tennessee 5.35m 17-06.50 SB
3. Ayers, Michael Tennessee 5.15m 16-10.75 Outdoor PR
8. Robert Rasnick Unattached-Tenn 4.96 16-02.75 PR
8. Seaman, Michael Tennessee 4.95m 16-02.75 Outdoor PR
10. Holtz, Brad Tennessee 4.80m 15-09.00
The guys made their first full return to outdoor competition at the Florida Relays. The sun was out and the temperature was perfect for pole vaulting. The winds were switchy and the direction of the pit was an issue. Joe Berry fought through inconsistent winds to place 2nd with a seasonal best of 5.35m. Michael Ayers jumped an outdoor personal best of 16-10.5" to continue his recent string of vaulting. People watching were freaked out by his 14 to 15 foot take-offs. Both guys achieved regional qualifying marks. Redshirt Robert Rasnick, broke through today with some 7 lefts vaulting to clear 4.95. He blew through all his poles but was fortunate to borrow a few poles from fellow competitors. Michael Seaman continued his miraculous return to vaulting, having his first comp from full run. He cleared 4.95m to eclipse his outdoor PR from last year. Brad Holtz showed signs of returning to form as he progressed through to some bigger poles and had more consistency in his run. We will hope for good weather and nice winds at the Sea Ray Relays.
2009 SEC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
1. Joe Berry: 17' 3" 5.26m Tennessee
2. Brad Holtz: 17' 3" 5.26m Tennessee
4. Michael Ayers: 17'00" 5.18m Tennessee PR
The boys vaulted with confidence and toughness this weekend at the SEC Championships in Lexington, KY bringing home 23 points for the Vols with only three athletes. Joe Berry battled through difficult warm-ups to vault without a miss through the winning height and achieve a season best and indoor PR. In his 3 SEC championship meets, Joe has not had a miss until his final height. Brad Holtz validated his recent improvments by vaulting very cleanly througout the meet, achieving his highest SEC finish ever. Michael Ayers came back from winning the hepthathlon on Saturday night (and vaulting a PR of 5.15m) to place fourth in the open vault. He cleared 17 feet for the first time ever and remains at 7 lefts. The guys continued Tennessee's streak of SEC Championships to 7. We hope to attend a last chance meet this weekend to get NCAA qualifying marks in the vault.
2. Brad Holtz: 17' 3" 5.26m Tennessee
4. Michael Ayers: 17'00" 5.18m Tennessee PR
The boys vaulted with confidence and toughness this weekend at the SEC Championships in Lexington, KY bringing home 23 points for the Vols with only three athletes. Joe Berry battled through difficult warm-ups to vault without a miss through the winning height and achieve a season best and indoor PR. In his 3 SEC championship meets, Joe has not had a miss until his final height. Brad Holtz validated his recent improvments by vaulting very cleanly througout the meet, achieving his highest SEC finish ever. Michael Ayers came back from winning the hepthathlon on Saturday night (and vaulting a PR of 5.15m) to place fourth in the open vault. He cleared 17 feet for the first time ever and remains at 7 lefts. The guys continued Tennessee's streak of SEC Championships to 7. We hope to attend a last chance meet this weekend to get NCAA qualifying marks in the vault.
Virginia Tech Challenge
7th: Joe Berry 5.12m 16' 9.5"
7th: Michael Ayers 5.12m 16' 9.5" PR
9th: Brad Holtz 4.92m 16' 2"
Robert Rasnick: NH
Michael Ayers bounced back from New York with a new personal best as he prepares for the SEC Heptathlon and pole vault. Brad and Joe continue to prepare for the SEC and look to improve their marks on the NCAA list in the coming weeks.
7th: Michael Ayers 5.12m 16' 9.5" PR
9th: Brad Holtz 4.92m 16' 2"
Robert Rasnick: NH
Michael Ayers bounced back from New York with a new personal best as he prepares for the SEC Heptathlon and pole vault. Brad and Joe continue to prepare for the SEC and look to improve their marks on the NCAA list in the coming weeks.
NEW BALANCE COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL
RESULTS:
2. Holtz, Brad Tennessee 5.30m 17-04.50 PR X 2
7. Berry, Joseph Tennessee 5.20m 17-00.75 Indoor PR
Michael Ayers: NH
Brad and Joe had very nice meets, both achieving new PR's. Brad finally broke through the 17 foot barrier on his third attempt, only to go ahead and clear 17'4.5" on his first attempt. Congrats to Brad on his a big double PR DAY. Joe set a new indoor PR and looks to be progressing nicely back to his championship form from a year ago. Michael Ayers stuggled with pole selection, blowing through all his poles at early heights.
2. Holtz, Brad Tennessee 5.30m 17-04.50 PR X 2
7. Berry, Joseph Tennessee 5.20m 17-00.75 Indoor PR
Michael Ayers: NH
Brad and Joe had very nice meets, both achieving new PR's. Brad finally broke through the 17 foot barrier on his third attempt, only to go ahead and clear 17'4.5" on his first attempt. Congrats to Brad on his a big double PR DAY. Joe set a new indoor PR and looks to be progressing nicely back to his championship form from a year ago. Michael Ayers stuggled with pole selection, blowing through all his poles at early heights.
Clemson JRF Multi-Event Challenge
Michael Ayers - 5.10m 16' 8.75" PR
Matthew Best - 3.30m 10' 9.75"
Tennessee sophomore Michael Ayers won the JRF Multi-Event Challenge on Saturday with a career-best and NCAA provisional -qualifying total of 5,590 points. He posted career-bests in two individual events and also moved into fifth place on Tennessee's all-time top-10 list with his score.
Matthew Best - 3.30m 10' 9.75"
Tennessee sophomore Michael Ayers won the JRF Multi-Event Challenge on Saturday with a career-best and NCAA provisional -qualifying total of 5,590 points. He posted career-bests in two individual events and also moved into fifth place on Tennessee's all-time top-10 list with his score.
NAVAL ACADEMY
Results:
1. Joe Berry: 4.80m - 15'9"
NH Brad Holtz
Our poles never arrived thanks to horrendous logistics of Delta Cargo (whom we will never use again). We managed to borrow poles from Navy and tried to make do. We will regroup and train in preparation for the New Balance Invitational. Joe Berry is showing signs of coming back from his groin injury in December.
1. Joe Berry: 4.80m - 15'9"
NH Brad Holtz
Our poles never arrived thanks to horrendous logistics of Delta Cargo (whom we will never use again). We managed to borrow poles from Navy and tried to make do. We will regroup and train in preparation for the New Balance Invitational. Joe Berry is showing signs of coming back from his groin injury in December.
Kentucky Invitational
Results:
4. Holtz, Brad Tennessee 4.90m 16-00.75
6. Ayers, Michael Tennessee 4.90m 16-00.75
7. Seaman, Michael Tennessee 4.75m 15-07.00
10. Berry, Joe Tennessee 4.75m 15-07.00
14. Robert Rasnick Unattached 4.60m 15-1
Michael Seaman had a scary crash into the box and was taken to UK hospital via ambulance. He sustained a significant vertebral injury and ankle injury. Thankfully his prognosis is good to vault again in the future. He was in great condition coming into this meet and was fresh off of a recent personal best.
4. Holtz, Brad Tennessee 4.90m 16-00.75
6. Ayers, Michael Tennessee 4.90m 16-00.75
7. Seaman, Michael Tennessee 4.75m 15-07.00
10. Berry, Joe Tennessee 4.75m 15-07.00
14. Robert Rasnick Unattached 4.60m 15-1
Michael Seaman had a scary crash into the box and was taken to UK hospital via ambulance. He sustained a significant vertebral injury and ankle injury. Thankfully his prognosis is good to vault again in the future. He was in great condition coming into this meet and was fresh off of a recent personal best.
Virginia Tech Invitational - Season Opener
Pit 1:
4th : Michael Seaman, 5.01m PR
7th : Bradley Holtz, 5.01m
Pit 2:
5th: Robert Rasnick: 4.50m
The guys traveled to Virginia Tech for the season opener. Michael Seaman confirmed his recent improvements in practice by making a first attempt clearance @ 5.01m, a new PR. Brad cleared on his 2nd attempt. Both Brad and Michael had attempts @ a new PR of 5.16m. Robert Rasnick competed as an unattached athlete today as he made his opening height on the first attempt. He should see significant improvements as he gets back into the groove of vaulting again. The guys travel to Kentucky next week and expect for Joe Berry and Michael Ayers to be added to the competition.
4th : Michael Seaman, 5.01m PR
7th : Bradley Holtz, 5.01m
Pit 2:
5th: Robert Rasnick: 4.50m
The guys traveled to Virginia Tech for the season opener. Michael Seaman confirmed his recent improvements in practice by making a first attempt clearance @ 5.01m, a new PR. Brad cleared on his 2nd attempt. Both Brad and Michael had attempts @ a new PR of 5.16m. Robert Rasnick competed as an unattached athlete today as he made his opening height on the first attempt. He should see significant improvements as he gets back into the groove of vaulting again. The guys travel to Kentucky next week and expect for Joe Berry and Michael Ayers to be added to the competition.
Tennessee Welcomes New Vaulter
The UT pole vault corps welcomes mid-year transfer Robert Rasnick. Robert has transferred to Big Orange country from Cedarville College in Ohio. He holds a personal best of 4.88m. He was an NAIA All-American last year at Cedarville. He vaulted 15-8 in high school and also was a Level 10 high school gymnast.
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