UF T&F: Sargent and Gross IV Capture Silver and Bronze on Day One of SEC Outdoor Championships; Four Gators Advance to Finals

Gators conclude the first of three days at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Day one of the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships was headlined by throws athletes Abraham Sargent and Will Gross IV, who both finished on the podium in their respective events. Sargent earned a silver medal in the Men’s Javelin Throw while Gross IV captured bronze in the Men’s Hammer Throw.

Imani Washington and Allison Wilson were the two Gators to score on the women’s side. Washington placed eighth in the Women’s Hammer Throw and Wilson crossed the finish line in sixth in the 10,000m.

Robert Gregoy, Wanya McCoy, Sam Austin and Parvej Khan all advanced to the finals in their respective events during Thursday’s action.

The results and details from all final and preliminary events are outlined below.

FINALS RESULTS

Men’s Hammer Throw

Will Gross IV netted a bronze medal finish in the Men’s Hammer Throw and secured the first points of the day for the Gators. His mark of 65.07m/213’6”, on his fourth throw, earned the team six points and is the fourth time that he has exceeded the 65m threshold in the 2024 season.

Women’s Hammer Throw

Imani Washington placed eighth in the Women’s Hammer Throw with a best throw of 57.42m/188’4”. Her mark was just 0.01m short of the sophomore’s personal best which she set at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational this year. Washington’s placement earned the first point for the Gators Women’s team.

Men’s Javelin Throw

Abraham Sargent recorded a new personal record in Men’s Javelin Throw, securing the silver medal and eight team points in the process. His mark of 75.12m/246’5” also marked a new 11th best performance in the NCAA in 2024. The senior’s sixth and final throw set his new top mark, and catapulted him from seventh to second-place in the event standings.

Zach Godbold tallied a throw of 63.88m/209’7” in the event leading to a 13th place finish.

Women’s 10,000m

Allison Wilson earned a sixth place finish in the Women’s 10000m tallying a time of 34:14.34 and notching three points towards the team total.

Caroline Bauer made her 10000m debut on Thursday night. The sophomore crossed the finish line in 36:19.00.

PRELIMS RESULTS

Men’s 800m

Sam Austin placed fourth in the Men’s 800m Prelims with a time of 1:47.77, advancing him to the finals on Saturday. Pravej Khan also added his name to the list of finalists, running a time of 1:48.23 and placing seventh in the event.

Another top ten finisher was Ryan Maseman as he placed tenth with a time of 1:48.64. Right behind Maseman was the freshman, Miguel Pantojas, crossing the finish line in 1:48.88.

Four other gators also competed in the Men’s 800m Prelims including Edward Kapran (1:51.48), Gavin Nelson (1:51.54), Michael Fiore (1:52.19), and Chase Ruskin (1:59.19).

Women’s 800m

Jessica Edwards finished thirteenth in the Women’s 800m Prelims recording a time of 2:07.85.

Men’s 200m

Florida saw two athletes claim their spots in Saturday’s 200m final, as Robert Gregory (second place, 20.29) and Wanya McCoy (fifth place, 20.45) won their respective heats and automatically qualified. Gregory’s pace was the best of his 2024 season, and a new sixth-best mark in the NCAA this season.

Malique Smith-Band secured his collegiate personal record in the 200m, tallying a time of 20.77 and earning a 15th place finish.

Women’s 200m

Two Gator sprinters, Kayla Davis and Jayla Hollis, took the track for the Women’s 200m Prelims. Hollis ran a time of 24.30, while Kayla Davis recorded her best time of the season with a pace of 23.57.

Women’s 400m H

Vanessa Watson competed in the Women’s 400m H Prelims, finishing with a time of 1:00.27.

SEC OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS MEET INFORMATION

Location / Venue

Gainesville, Florida / Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium

Meet Schedule

2024 SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships Schedule<https://floridagators.com/documents/2024/5/6/2024_SEC_Outdoor_Track___Field_Championships_Schedule.pdf>

Live Results

SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships Live Results<https://live.deltatiming.com/meets/37120>

Updates & Info

@GatorsTF on X<https://twitter.com/GatorsTF>

ATHLETE ENTRIES

Thursday, May 9 – Track

Events / Time

Place. Athlete – Time | Notes

800m PRELIM (M)

4. Sam Austin – 1:47.77 | Advanced to Finals

7. Parvej Khan – 1:48.23 | Advanced to Finals

10. Ryan Maseman – 1:48.64

11. Miguel Pantojas – 1:48.88

23. Edward Kepran – 1:51.48

24. Gavin Nelson – 1:51.54

27. Michael Fiore – 1:52.19

34. Chase Ruskin – 1:59.51

800m PRELIM (W)

13. Jess Edwards – 2:07.85

200m PRELIM (M)

3. Robert Gregory – 20.29 | Advanced to Finals, Season Best

5. Wanya McCoy – 20.45 | Advanced to Finals

15. Malique Smith-Band – 20.77

200m PRELIM (W)

20. Kayla Davis – 23.57 | Season Best

31. Jayla Hollis – 24.30

400m H PRELIM (W)

18. Vanessa Watson – 1:00.27

10,000m FINAL (W)

6. Allison Wilson – 34:14.34

19. Caroline Bauer – 36:19.00 | PR

Thursday, May 9 – Field

Events / Time

Place. Athlete – Mark | Notes

Hammer Throw FINAL (M)

3. Will Gross IV – 65.07m/213’6” | Bronze Medalist

  *   Six Team Points

Hammer Throw FINAL (W)

8. Imani Washington – 57.42m/188’04”

  *   One Team Point

Javelin Throw FINAL (M)

2. Abraham Sargent – 75.12m/246’5” | Silver Medalist, PR

  *   Eight Team Points

13. Zach Godbold – 63.88m/209’7”

Thursday, May 9 – Combined Events

Events / Time

Place. Athlete – Time/Mark | Notes

HEP 100m Hurdles

10. Melanie Welsing – 14.34 | 931 Points

HEP High Jump

10. Melanie Welsing – 1.54m/5’0.5” | 666 Points

HEP Shot Put

Melanie Welsing – DNS

HEP 200m

Melanie Welsing – DNS

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