UF TF: Clemons Punches his Ticket to NCAA Championship on the First Day of the NCAA East Prelims

Malcolm Clemons earned a spot in the NCAA Championships and nine Gators advanced to the running finals on Friday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The first day of the NCAA East Preliminaries featured the Florida Gators men’s team beginning their quest for qualification to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin, Texas.

Malcolm Clemons became the first men’s athlete to secure a spot in Austin, placing first in the men’s long jump competition. Clemons’ first attempt of 7.90m/25’11” put him in first, where he remained for the entire competition, passing on his final two jumps. This will be his second trip to the NCAA Championships as a Gator, previously competiting in the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championships.

In the first round of running prelims, the Gators had three runners advance to the next round in both the men’s 100m and 400m events. Robert Gregory (10.12), Pjai Austin (10.14), and Jacory Patterson (10.18) finished top three in their heats in the 100m, automatically qualifying for the next round on Friday. In the next event, the 400m, Ryan Willie (45.84). Emmanuel Bamidele (46.02) and Jevaughn Powell (46.21) automatically advanced to the next round as well.

The next Gator to qualify for the quarterfinals on Friday was Collin Sieffert in the 400m hurdles.Sieffert ran a personal best (50.76), finishing ninth overall in the event.

In the final event of day, both Robert Gregory (20.09) and Jacory Patterson (20.12) ran personal best times in the 200m, advancing to the next round in the event. Gregory’s time was the fastest in the event and the sixth fastest in school history. Patterson finished third overall in the first round of the event. Gregory and Patterson advanced to the Friday finals in two events.

Tomorrow the Gators begin day two of the NCAA East Preliminaries at 6 p.m. ET, with the finals of the women’s shot put and long jump. All day two running events are women’s preliminaries for the events on Saturday.

NCAA EAST PRELIMINARIES MEET

Wednesday’s Finals Recap

Shot Put

Men- Logan Montgomery finished thirty-eighth (17.30m/56’9.25″) in the men’s shot put competition.

Long Jump

Men- Malcolm Clemons became the first Gator men’s athlete to qualify for the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Clemons jumped 7.90m/25’11”, earning first in the long jump. Jordan McCants in his first NCAA Outdoor competition as a Gator, finished thirty-fourth (7.22m/23’8.25).

Wednesday’s Prelims Recap

100m

Men- The trio of Robert Gregory, Pjai Austin, and Jacory Patterson all automatically advanced to the next round of qualifying by finishing top three in each of their respective heats. Gregory (10.12) finished eleventh overall, Austin finished fourteenth (10.14), and Patterson finished eighteenth (10.18) in this round of qualifying. Gregory and Patterson ran season best times. The Gators were one of two programs, along with LSU, to advance three runners in the men’s 100m.

200m

Men- Both Robert Gregory (20.09) and Jacory Patterson (20.12) ran new personal bests on the way to the next round of the men’s 200m competition. Gregory finished first overall in the first round running the sixth fastest time in school history and Patterson finished third overall.

400m

Men- As with in the 100m, three Gators automatically advanced to the next round of qualifying in the 400m by finishing top three in each of their heat. Ryan Willie placed second overall in this qualifying round with a time of 45.84. Emmanuel Bamidele (46.02) and Jevaughn Powell (46.21) placed ninth and eleventh respectively in the first round of qualifying.

400m Hurdles

Men- Collin Sieffert ran a personal best in the 400m hurdles (50.76), finishing ninth overall and first in his heat in the first round of qualifying. He automatically advanced to the finals of the event on Friday by winning his heat.

800m

Men- Sam Austin finished thirty-seventh in the first round of the 800m.

HOLLOWAY’S WORDS

On the team’s performance on the first day of the competition…

“I am very pleased with todays effort and execution. The key to this meet is to advance and we advanced well today. Now we have to reset and prepare for the next round on Friday.”

NCAA East Preliminaries Results (All events are finals unless otherwise noted)

Event

Place, Gators (Time/Distance), Notes

Shot Put (M)

38. Logan Montgomery (17.30m/56’9.25″)

Long Jump (M)

1. Malcolm Clemons (7.90m/25’11”) Qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships

34. Jordan McCants (7.22m/23’8.25)

100m (M) Prelims

11. Robert Gregory (10.12) Season Best, Automatically Qualified for the Next Round

14. Pjai Austin (10.14) Automatically Qualified for the Next Round

18. Jacory Patterson (10.18) Season Best, Automatically Qualified for the Next Round