Tennessee Track and Field Celebrates Seniors While Emphasizing Health, Happiness and Momentum Heading Into the Championship Postseason Stretch

The Tennessee Volunteers track and field program took a moment to celebrate its seniors this past weekend, honoring the contributions, growth, and perseverance of a veteran core that has played a crucial role in shaping the team’s competitive identity. With the regular season wrapping up and the postseason on the horizon, the emphasis from the coaching staff was clear—stay happy, stay healthy, and trust the work already done.

As the team gathered at Tom Black Track for one final home meet before the SEC Championships, emotions ran high—not from pressure, but from pride. Senior Day is always a reminder of time’s swift march. For Tennessee, it was a chance to reflect on not just results and records, but the relationships built and battles fought side-by-side over years of training, travel, and trials. These seniors have withstood the demanding schedule of Division I athletics while upholding academic standards and leading the program through both successes and setbacks.

Director of Track and Field Duane Ross, in his second full season at the helm, spoke with emotion as he addressed the athletes and fans. “This group of seniors has helped lay the foundation for what we are building here,” he said. “They’ve bought into our vision, embraced the grind, and shown younger athletes how to do things the right way—on and off the track. I’m proud of them.”

Among the honorees were sprinters, distance runners, throwers, and jumpers—each with a unique story. Some arrived as highly ranked recruits and fulfilled that promise with record-breaking performances. Others came in under the radar, developing into key contributors through years of tireless work. What they shared was a commitment to Tennessee’s orange and white and a determination to leave the program better than they found it.

Take senior hurdler Alexis Woods, for example. After battling injuries early in her college career, she emerged in her final season as one of the team’s most consistent scorers in the 400-meter hurdles. “I wasn’t sure I’d make it here,” Woods admitted. “There were times I thought about walking away. But my coaches and teammates kept believing in me. This year, I finally got to show what I’m capable of, and to do that with my family watching on Senior Day was everything.”

On the men’s side, thrower Noah Jenkins was another emotional figure. Jenkins, a fifth-year senior and two-time SEC medalist, is widely known as a locker room leader. “It hits different when you realize it’s your last home meet,” he said. “I remember being a freshman and thinking I had all the time in the world. Now, it’s about making every rep count. I’ve got one more postseason, and I’m ready to leave it all out there.”

While the celebration of careers was central to the day, the meet also offered one last opportunity for sharpening performances and fine-tuning ahead of the postseason. For Tennessee, which enters championship season ranked in the top 15 nationally on both the men’s and women’s sides, there’s every reason to believe a deep run could be in store.

The team’s depth has been a hallmark all spring. From sprinters like freshman phenom Layla Wright to seasoned veterans like mid-distance runner William Harper, Tennessee has showcased balance across events. Several athletes have already posted marks that rank among the nation’s top 20, with relay teams in particular gaining momentum.

But Ross and his staff remain focused on more than just marks. The message in training sessions and team meetings has consistently revolved around three words: happy and healthy. The idea is simple—athletes perform their best when they’re not overwhelmed by stress or plagued by nagging injuries. Managing the grind of a long season while maintaining mental clarity and physical readiness has been a key point of emphasis.

“We’re entering the time of year where it’s not just about talent anymore,” Ross said. “Everyone at the top level is fast, strong, and trained. The difference becomes who can execute under pressure, who’s still got gas in the tank, and who can stay mentally locked in. Our job is to make sure they’re in the best possible space to compete—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.”

That holistic philosophy has resonated with the athletes. Senior pole vaulter Ava Williams credited the coaching staff with helping her rediscover the joy in competing. “This year has been one of the most fun seasons I’ve had,” she said. “Coach Ross emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process, not just obsessing over results. When you’re happy and healthy, you compete free—and that’s when the best stuff happens.”

The Vols will need that mindset as they head into a loaded SEC Championship field, where perennial powers like Arkansas, LSU, and Florida await. The conference is arguably the strongest in collegiate track and field, and medals are hard-earned. Tennessee’s strategy is not about chasing every event, but about maximizing strengths, qualifying as many athletes as possible for the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds, and riding the wave of momentum that has been building throughout the spring.

Key to that strategy will be breakout sophomore sprinter Chase Simmons, who has posted a top-10 national time in the 200 meters and anchors the men’s 4×100 relay. “Chase has another gear,” said assistant coach Adrian Mann. “He’s young, but he’s mature beyond his years. He approaches every race like a veteran and leads by example.”

For Simmons, the postseason offers a chance to validate the work put in during the off-season. “We’ve been building for this,” he said. “Now it’s about execution. If we stay focused, keep our bodies right, and trust the training, I think we can shock some people.”

Alongside Simmons, Tennessee’s women’s 4×400 relay team has emerged as a contender after shaving seconds off its time in back-to-back meets. Senior anchor Sydney Clark pointed to team chemistry as a reason for the group’s success. “We run for each other,” she said. “When you have that kind of trust, you fight harder. That’s what’s going to carry us through SECs and into nationals.”

That unity extends beyond relays and beyond event groups. Throughout the season, athletes from different disciplines have made a point to show up for each other, attending meets, cheering from the infield, and staying engaged with each other’s progress.

Ross believes that kind of culture is the foundation of sustainable success. “You win championships with culture first,” he said. “Talent gets you in the door, but culture keeps you in the fight. These seniors have helped us build that. Now, it’s time to go compete.”

As the postseason begins, there’s a quiet confidence in the air around the program. The pieces are in place. The preparation is done. The athletes are healthy, mentally dialed in, and emotionally grounded by a sense of purpose bigger than themselves.

Senior Day was a celebration, but not a farewell. There is still business to take care of, and this Tennessee team isn’t finished yet. Whether it’s in Baton Rouge at the SEC Championships or in Eugene for the NCAA finals, the Volunteers are aiming to make noise—and do so while staying true to the spirit that has carried them this far.

Happy. Healthy. Ready. That’s how Tennessee enters the most important stretch of its season—and if that mindset holds, this group of Volunteers could be remembered not just for their performances, but for the joy and unity with which they competed.