The athletes look to be the next generation of Florida’s dynasty under Head Coach Mike Holloway.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The fifteen-time NCAA Champion Florida Track & Field program announced the addition of a star-studded recruiting class, compiled over the course of the most recent recruiting season.
This year’s crop of new Gators features a highly experienced core, including an elite cohort of transfers spanning all disciplines, as well as many newcomers with resumes featuring high-level international competition.
“I am very excited about this year’s recruiting class,” Head Coach Mike Holloway said. “Our staff did a wonderful job during this process and their efforts have produced a well-balanced and very talented group of athletes. We look forward to working with this group and watching them grow in to champions.”
The men of the 2024 recruiting class join a program fresh off its third-straight NCAA Outdoor Championship, just the seventh program in history to accomplish such a feat. On the women’s side, the incoming class adds to a program that finished runner-up at both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor National Championship meets in 2024.
Below is a summary of each incoming athlete’s achievements prior to their arrival in Gainesville
The 2024-2025 Class:
Men:
Aidan Broussard (Fr.): Niceville, Fla. (Niceville HS) | Throws – Javelin
* 2-time FHSAA Class 4A Track and Field State Javelin Throw Champion (62.37m)
* Finished 2nd at the 2024 Pepsi Florida Relays High School Competition
* Led Niceville to back-to-back FHSAA Class 4A state championships in 2023 and 2024, winning the varsity Javelin Throw at both meets.
* Javelin PR: 62.37m (204’7″)
*Leikel Cabrera Gay (Soph.): Havana, Cuba (Manuel Piti Fajardo school) | Throws – Javelin
Previous College: Umpqua Community College (Ore.)
* 2024 NWAC Javelin champion (70.44m, 231’1″)
* 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games Javelin Champion
* Javelin PR: 73.58m (241’5″)
Ayden Campbell (Fr.): Niceville, Fla. (Niceville HS) | Throws – Javelin
* Took 9th at 2024 FHSAA State Track and Field Championships (49.97m)
* Finished 3rd at 2024 Pepsi Florida Relays, setting a PR
* Javelin PR: 58.13m (190’8″)
Nicolas Crosswhite (Fr.): Douglasville, Ga. (New Manchester HS) | Jumps
* 2024 GHSA 6A State champion in the triple jump
* 2024 GHSA 6 A State Bronze Medalist in the high jump
* High Jump PR: 7’0″
* Long Jump PR: 25’2″
* Triple Jump PR: 49’10”
Evan Fleming (Fr.): Gainesville, Fla. (Buchholz HS) | Distance
* 2x FHSAA 4A 2024 State Champion (800m, 1600m)
* Member of Buchholz’s 2024 Nike Indoor Nationals Championship 4xMile relay team (17:25.44)
* 800m PR: 1:51.70
* 1600m PR: 4:07.21
Garrett Fox (Jr.): Clovis, Calif. (Buchanan HS) | Sprints
Previous College: Fresno Pacific University
* 100m PR: 10.54
* 200m PR: 21.07
Trent Howard (Fr.): Frisco Texas (Frisco Lone Star HS) | Sprints
* 100m PR: 10.50
* 200m PR: 21.33
*Markevus Jackson (Sr.): Kissimmee, Fla. (Kissimmee-Osceola HS) | Sprints
Previous College: Kentucky, North Carolina A&T
* 400m PR: 46.58
Jonah Kirspel (Fr.): Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. (South Walton HS) | Mid-distance
* Back-to-back FHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Champion in 2022 and 2023 in the 800m.
* 800m PR: 1:49.76
*Jacob Lemmon (Sr.): Sanibel, Fla. (Fort Myers HS) | Throws
Previous College: Virginia
* Three-time NCAA Outdoor All American in Discus
* Discus PR: 60.50m (198’6″)
* Hammer Throw PR: (66.15m (217’0″)
* Weight Throw PR: 22.18m (72’9.25″)
Jonathan Leon (Fr.): Oviedo, Fla. (Hagerty HS) | Distance
* 3x FHSAA 4A Silver Medalist (3200m ’24, XC ’23, 3200m ’23)
* 17th Place at Footlocker South XC Championship 2023
* 1600m PR: 4:11.92
* 3200m PR: 8:47.86
Jaden Lippett (Fr.): Winter Haven, Fla. (Winter Haven HS) | Jumps
* 2024 Pepsi Florida Relays Triple Jump Champion
* 2x FHSAA State Champion in the Triple Jump (2022, 2023)
* Triple Jump PR: 15.70m (51’6.25″)
* Long Jump PR: 7.15m (23’5.5″)
*Toby Makoyawo (Sr.): South Ruislip, England (St. Joan of Arc HS)| Sprints
Previous College: Boston University
* 60m PR: 6.64
* 100m PR: 10.12
* 200m PR: 20.73
Graham Myers (Fr.): Fleming Island, Fla. (Fleming Island HS) | Distance
* 12th Place at Footlocker South XC Championship 2023
* 5x FHSAA Top-3 Finisher
* Member of Fleming Island’s FHSAA 2024 3A State Championship 4x800m relay team (7:43.03)
* 1600 PR: 4:09.29
* 3200 PR: 8:57.91
Vance Nilsson (Fr.): Gilbert, Az. (Gilbert HS) | 400mH
* World U20 Champion in the 400m Hurdles (Lima, Peru, 2024)
* Advanced to semifinal at 2024 US Olympic Trials in 400H
* 2024 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year for Track and Field
* Holds high school national record in the 300 hurdles, running 34.83
* 400mH PR: 49.26 (U20 2024 Season Lead)
* 110H PR (39″): 13.39
Joshua Ruiz (Fr.): Miami, Fla. (Belen Jesuit) | Distance
* 32nd at NXN National Championship 2023 to lead Belen Jesuit to a 4th Place Team Finish
* 1st Place Southern Showcase XC 2023
* 4x FHSAA Top-3 Finisher
* 1600m PR: 4:16.43
* 3200m PR: 8:59.99
Riley Smith (Fr.): Gainesville, Fla. (Buchholz HS) | Distance
* 2024 Millrose Mile Champion
* FHSAA 4A XC Champion 2023
* 3rd Place FHSAA 4A 1600m 2023
* Member of Buchholz’s 2024 Nike Indoor Nationals Championship 4xMile relay team (17:25.44)
* 800m PR: 1:50.96
* Mile PR: 4:04.65
* 3200m PR: 8:39.71
Nicholas Spikes (Fr.): Burtonsville, Md. (Paint Branch HS) | Sprints
* 100m PR: 10.48
* 200m PR: 20.74
* 300m PR: 33.22
* 400m PR: 46.05
*Demaris Waters (Jr.): Harisburg, Penn. (Harrisburg HS) | Sprints/Hurdles
Previous College: San Jose State
* 60mH PR: 7.71
* 110mH PR: 13.44
Jaden Wiley (Fr.): Duluth, Ga. (Duluth HS) | Sprints
* 2024 U.S. U20 Champion in 100m and 200m
* 100m PR: 10.21
* 200m PR: 20.67
*Johnathan Witte (Jr.): Gainesville, Fla. (IMG Academy) | Throws
Previous College: LSU
* 2024 USTFCCCA Indoor All-American (Weight Throw)
* Weight Throw PR: 22.30m
* Hammer Throw PR: 61.23 Meters
Women
Alyssa Banales (Fr.): McKinney, Texas (McKinney North) | Jumps
* Made Team USA U20 roster in the Long Jump for the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia
* Triple Jump PR: 11.94m (39’2″)
* Long Jump PR: 6.35m (20’10”)
Christiana Coleman (Fr.): Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS) | Distance
* 2023 FHSAA 3A State XC Champion
* 2x 2024 FHSAA 3A State Champion (1600m, 3200m)
* 800m PR: 2:12.45
* 1600m PR: 4:53.58
* 3200m PR: 10:50.88
Abigail Elmore (Fr.): Gunter, Texas (Gunter HS) | Heptathlon
* Finished 13th in the Heptathlon at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships
* Took 2nd in the 2024 U.S. U20 Championships
* 100mH PR: 14.03
* High Jump PR: 1.78m (6’0″)
* Long Jump PR: 5.57m (19’0″)
* 200m PR: 26.04
* 800m PR: 2:23.45
* Shot Put PR: 12.69m (42’4″)
* Javelin PR: 35.85m (124’1″)
* Heptathlon 5376
Ashley Fitzgerald (Fr.): Plantation, Fla. (American Heritage) | Distance
* 3x FHSAA 3A State Cross Country Silver Medalist (2021, 2022, 2023)
* 2x FHSAA 3A State Track & Field Bronze Medalist (1600m 2021, 3200m 2022)
* 1500m PR: 4:37.26
* 3000m PR: 9:52.32
Avery Fronrath (Fr.): West Palm Beach, Fla. (King’s Academy) | Distance
* 1600m PR: 5:07.05
* 3200m PR: 10:58.19
Reagan Gilmore (Fr.): Louisville, Ky. (Assumption HS) | Distance
* Broke a Kentucky state High School record in the 4x800m relay with Assumption that had stood for twelve years
* 30th NXN National Cross Country Championships 2023
* 3rd NXR South Regional Cross Country Championships 2023
* 2024 KHSAA 3A State Champion (3200m)
* 2x 3rd Place Finisher at KHSAA 3A State Championships (XC, 3200m)
* 800m PR: 2:12.46
* Mile PR: 4:45.29
* 3200 PR: 10:05.69
Habiba Harris (Fr.): Santa Cruz, Jamaica | Sprints/Hurdles *enrolling January 2025*
* 2024 Jamaican U20 Champion (100mH)
* 100mH PR: 12.95
* 100m PR: 11.71
Lindsey Kiehl (Fr.): Vail, Colo. (Summit HS) | Distance
* 800m PR: 2:13.47
* Mile PR: 4:58.19
Skyye Lee (Fr.): St. Louis, Mo. (Parkway Central HS) | Sprints/Hurdles
* Dominated High School competition in Missouri, Taking the 2024 MSHSAA Class 4 State Championship in both the 200m, 100mH and finishing second in the 100m.
* 200m PR: 23.93
* 100mH PR: 13.34
*Gabrielle Matthews (Jr.): Portmore, Jamaica (The Queens School) | Sprints/Hurdles
Previous College: Ole Miss
* Ran the third leg of Ole Miss’s 2024 NCAA Outdoor Champion 4x100m Relay team
* Placed 7th in the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championship 400mH (55.33)
* 2024 SEC Outdoor 400mH Champion
* 400mH PR: 55.12
* 200m PR: 22.98
Bethan Morley (Jr.): West Yorkshire, England | Distance
Previous College: Loughborough University
* BUCS Indoor Track & Field Champion 2023 (1500m)
* BUCS Outdoor Track & Field Runner-Up (1500m, 800m)
* 1st Place 2023 BUCS XC Championships Short Course 6km
* 5th Place 2024 BUCS XC Championships Long Course 8km
* Anchored Great Britain & NI to 2024 World Cross Country Bronze in the Mixed Relay
* Bronze Medalist 2024 FISU World University XC 3km
* 800m PR: 2:02.76
* 1500m PR: 4:11.84
* 3000m PR: 9:13.99
Hilda Olemomoi (Jr.): Trans-Mara, Kenya | Distance
Previous College: Alabama
* 4x Top-3 Finisher at NCAA Track & Field Championships
* 9x NCAA 1st Team All-American
* 2x Top-10 NCAA XC Finisher (6th 2022, 4th 2023)
* 2x SEC Champion (10,000m, DMR)
* 3,000m PR: 8:45.50
* 5,000m PR: 15:06.42
* 10,000m PR: 31:51.89
Quincy Penn (So.): Abaco, Bahamas | Sprints
Previous College: Alabama State University
* 2024 SWAC Outdoor Champions in 200m and 400m
* 100m PR: 11.51
* 200m PR: 23.08
* 400m PR: 51.91
Elaina Perkins (Fr.): Niceville, FL (Niceville High School) | Throws
* 2024 FHSAA 4A State Champion (Javelin)
* Javelin Throw PR: 44.57m.
Asia Phillips (Fr.): Ontario, Canada | Jumps
* Placed fourth in the triple jump (13.31m) at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championship.
* Canadian U20 Champion in the triple jump
* Long Jump PR: 5.94m
* Triple Jump PR: 13.55m U20 and U18 Canadian Record Holder
* NACAC U18 Champion
* Pan Am U20 Champion
Gabrielle Schmidt (Fr.): Brisbane, Australia (St. Peters Lutheran College) | Distance
* Finished seventh in the Women’s 5000m at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championship in 16:10.87
* 21st at 2024 World XC Championships U20 6km
* 1500m PR: 4:22.46
* 3000m PR: 9:23.94
* 5000m PR: 16:10.87
Shakynah Tresvant (Fr.): Miami, FL (Miami Northwestern Senior High School) | Hurdles
* 2023 FHSAA 3A State Champion (400H)
* 100H PR: 14.33
* 400H PR: 58.71
Evelyn Vanzwieten (Fr.): Merritt Island, FL (Merritt Island Christian High School) | Throws
* 2024 FHSAA 1A State Championships Silver Medalist (Javelin)
* Was 1st in the javelin throw at 2024 FHSAA 1A Region 2.
* Javelin Throw PR: 43.23m
Thalia Waters (Fr.): Delray Beach, FL (Atlantic High School) | Hurdles
* 2024 FHSAA 3A State Champion (100H)
* Also competes in the Long Jump, boasting a 6.16m (20’2″) PR
* 100m PR: 11.79
* 100mH PR: 13.10
Caroline Wells (Jr.): Winter Springs, FL | Distance
Previous College: Stanford University
* 2x FHSAA State Record Holder (3200m, State XC)
* 6x FHSAA 4A State Champion
* Mile PR: 4:42.40
* 3000m PR: 9:27.01c
* 5000m PR: 16:16.02
Tia Wilson (Jr.): Bedford, England | Distance
Previous College: Loughborough University
* 9th Place 2024 BUCS XC Championships Long Course 8km
* 6th Place 2024 FISU World University XC 3km
* 2024 BUCS Outdoor Track & Field Runner-Up (5,000m)
* 1500m PR: 4:13.66
* 3000m PR: 8:57.14
* 5000m PR: 15:39.49
Ava Wyant (Fr.): Oviedo, FL (The Master’s Academy) | Distance
* 5x Top-3 Finisher at FHSAA 1A State Track & Field Championships
* 2023 FHSAA 1A State Track & Field Champion
* 800m PR: 2:13.72
* 1600m PR: 4:53.39
