Tigers continue to breaks records as Indoor track and field opens 2026 season at KMS Invitational

SEWANEE, Tenn. – Sewanee's indoor track and field teams opened the 2026 season Sunday with a strong showing at the KMS Invitational in Birmingham, Ala., highlighted by multiple school records, personal bests, and all-time program marks.

On the men's side, Elliott Allen claimed first place in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.80 meters, while Jacob Heilpern added a third-place finish at 2.90 meters. Sam Leonard also took home first in the high jump, clearing 1.90 meters.

In the throws, Gavin Potter recorded a fourth-place finish in the weight throw while setting a school record with a mark of 13.08 meters. Lukus White finished 12th (10.85 meters), and Aryan Patel posted a throw of 8.85 meters. In the shot put, White placed ninth with a throw of 11.73 meters, while Potter came in 13th (11.12 meters).

In the sprint events, Ethan Kline continued to climb Sewanee's all-time lists. He placed sixth in the 400 meters with a time of 51.17, which ranks second all-time in program history. Kline followed that performance by setting a school record in the 200 meters, finishing sixth in 22.28. Lane Gambel finished 16th in the 400 (53.33), while Maxwell Finn placed 23rd (54.68) and Jimmy Holmes 29th (56.68). Heilpern ran 23.97 in the 200, followed by Finn at 24.41.

In the distance events, Parker Tallman turned in a runner-up performance in the mile, crossing the line in 4:26.38. The time marked a personal record for Tallman and still ranks second all-time at Sewanee. Jonah Norris added a 15th-place finish (4:53.94).

The Tigers placed five runners in the 800 meters, led by Tallman in ninth (2:02.81), followed by Brandon Christ (23rd), Noah Smith (24th), Henry Zanone (36th), and Gordon Love (38th).

In the men's 3000 meters, Sewanee had three athletes move into the program's all-time rankings. Christian Myers finished fifth with a time of 8:58.43, ranking third all-time at Sewanee. Declan Oberlies placed seventh (9:06.98), which sits sixth all-time, while Austin Colvin rounded out the group in 10th (9:25.33).

On the women's side, Elizabeth Cook earned a third-place finish in the mile with a time of 5:53.91. Sam Ude followed in fifth (6:01.18), and Allison Haworth placed eighth (6:16.35).

Ude also recorded a seventh-place finish in the 800 meters (2:39.30), while Ruby Hoerter finished 12th (3:00.20) and Mary Helen Munger placed 13th (3:08.55).

Gracie Schmidt posted a sixth-place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 1:05.26, which ranks ninth all-time at Sewanee. Schmidt also placed 20th in the 200 meters (29.16). Arianna Shirak earned a 10th-place finish in the 200 meters with a time of 27.26, setting the school record. Shirak also ran a 8.23 60 meters, ranking sixth all-time in Sewanee's records.

In the 3000 meters, Eleanor Graham ran a time of 10:56.12 to finish third, placing her fourth all-time in Sewanee history.

Sewanee returns to action on Feb. 1, traveling to Tryon, N.C., for the Tryon Small College Invitational.

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Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Cook: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Eleanor Graham: Junior

Arianna Shirak: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Ruby Hoerter: Freshman

Allison Haworth: Senior

Mary Helen Munger: Freshman

Gracie Schmidt: Freshman

Elliott Allen: PV; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Brandon Christ: 5' 10"; Senior

Jacob Heilpern: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Cook
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Eleanor Graham
: Junior

Arianna Shirak
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Ruby Hoerter
: Freshman

Allison Haworth
: Senior

Mary Helen Munger
: Freshman

Gracie Schmidt
: Freshman

Elliott Allen
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: PV

Brandon Christ
: 5' 10"; Senior

Jacob Heilpern
: 5' 7"; Sophomore