Parker Valby Breaks NCAA Record, Gators Collect Four Top Ten Marks in School History
Valby sets collegiate record in the 5000m and becomes the first woman to ever run sub-15 minutes in the event.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In just the first meet of the 2023-2024 indoor season, Parker Valby has set a new NCAA record. The junior, who was the NCAA Cross Country Individual Champion and Cross Country Athlete of the Year, now holds the indoor record in the Women’s 5000m with a groundbreaking time of 14:56.11 at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.
Valby’s mark was an outstanding 16 seconds faster than the previous indoor collegiate record of 15:12.22 which was set by Emily Sisson in 2015. It also undercuts the outdoor record (15:03.12) by seven seconds which was set by Katelyn Tuohy in 2023.
Valby becomes the first woman to ever run a sub 15-minute 5000m race during collegiate competition. This time also marks the first time a woman has ever broken 15 minutes in the 5000m during collegiate competition.
Earlier in the morning, Elise Thorner was the first Gator to hit the track in Boston. Participating in the women’s mile, Thorner ran a 4:37.59, good for the fifth best indoor mile in school history and a personal best.
Flomena Asekol followed up Thorner’s all-time performance with one of her own. After not running a 3000m race since 2020, her mark of 8:52.57 now stands second on Florida’s indoor all-time list and sets a PR of over a minute.
Allison Wilson joined her teammates as her performance in the 5000m also places her in the top ten all-time. Her finish of 15:58.14 now stands as the third best time recorded in an indoor 5000m race in school history and marked the fourth personal best run by a Gator on Saturday.
HEAR FROM ASSISTANT COACH WILL PALMER
“It was a phenomenal first meet for the Gators. The women showed up and raced hard across the board. I’m especially proud of Parker, she’s the first collegiate woman under 15 minutes. What a run. Her race was the cherry on top of a great day.”
Women’s event results can be found below.
Saturday, December 2 (Track):
Final – Women’s Mile
1. Elise Thorner – 4:37.59 | Personal Best
* 5th best all time in women’s indoor school history.
Final – Women’s 3000m
1. Flomena Asekol – 8:52.57 | Personal Best
* 2nd best all-time in women’s indoor school history.
Final – Women’s 5000m
1. Parker Valby – 14:56.11 | Collegiate Record
* Best all-time in women’s indoor school history.
* Personal Best
1. Allison Wilson – 15:58.14 | Personal Best
* 3rd best all-time in women’s indoor school history.
UPCOMING ACTION
The Gators’ Track & Field program will continue the indoor season more than a month from now as the team is set to travel to College Station, Texas for the McFerrin 12 Degree Invitational on January 12th and 13th.
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