Three freshmen began their careers with NCAA top-5 performances and a spot on UF’s Top 10
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Gators kicked off the season Saturday by posting eight NCAA top-10 performances with the help of three freshmen who logged times and marks that rank among the best in school history.
Jumpers Malcolm Clemons and Claire Bryant kicked off their careers with top marks in the long jump. Meanwhile, sprinter Talitha Diggs impressed in the 200 meters before helping Florida’s 4×400 relay team to one the fastest times in the nation.
Diggs crossed in 23.14 seconds in the 200 meters, logging the fourth-fastest time in the nation. A new personal record for the freshman, her time ranks tied for third in school history.
Out on the field, Clemons landed on the No. 5 spot of this year’s NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list with a mark of 7.85 meters (25 feet, 9.25 inches). Clemons, who hails from Oakland, California, now holds the No. 10 spot on UF’s Indoor All-Time Top 10 list.
Meanwhile in her very first collegiate jump, Bryant entered UF’s Indoor All-Time Top 10 list with a mark of 6.28 meters (20 feet, 7.25 inches). Her new indoor personal best ranks ninth in school history and is tied at fifth on the NCAA qualifying list.
All three Gators lead the nation among freshmen in their respective individual events.
Although the freshmen had an impressive afternoon, they were not the only Gators with NCAA top-10 times.
Sophomore Semira Killebrew, who led the nation among freshmen 60-meters sprinters last year, made her way back into the top 10 of the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list with a time of 7.31 seconds. Her 60 meters time is tied for seventh nationally.
Meanwhile, mid-distance runner Gabrielle Wilkinson crossed in 2:07.59, securing the No. 6-ranked time on the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list.
On the men’s side, sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh logged an NCAA fifth-ranked time of 20.79 in the 200 meters for a new personal record, in addition to helping Florida’s 4×400 relay squad a top-10 performance.
The men’s 4×400 relay team, composed of Fahnbulleh, Denzel Villaman, Ian Davis and Jacob Miley, logged a time of 3:09.76. Meanwhile the women’s team, formed by Diggs, Taylor Manson, Sterling Lester and Lauryn Ghee, finished the afternoon for the Gators with a time of 3:36.70. Both times rank ninth nationally in their respective categories.
In addition to Fahnbulleh, Clemons and Diggs, Miley and fellow mid-distance runner Chase Ruskin also posted new personal records in the 800 meters. Miley, who anchored the 4×400 squad, crossed in 1:51.98, while Ruskin posted a time of 1:55.56.
The Gators are back in action Feb. 5 when they return to Columbia for this year’s South Carolina Invitational.
A complete list of results for the Gators is below.
CAROLINA CHALLENGE MEET INFORMATION (all times Eastern)
* Results<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__results.adkinstrak.com_meets_6842&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=AAge61dIAHudA6gUh99HxG_Gr0jcrSjRNRfb23bwFHg&s=ELV_qsBsnKH2k4PHHSwytJ3IyccrDXB8ye3wW6DQbNg&e= > (Adkins Results)
* Venue: Carolina Indoor Track and Field Complex
Saturday, January 23 (* denotes preliminary; all other events are finals)
Event
Place, Gators – Time / Mark | Notes
60m (W)
2. Semira Killebrew – 7.31 | Tied for 7th on the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list
60m (W)*
2. Semira Killebrew – 7.44 | Advanced to finals (Automatic)
60m (M)
2. Dedrick Vanover – 6.80
4. Tyler Davis – 6.84
60m (M)*
2. Tyler Davis – 6.79 | Advanced to finals (Automatic)
5. Dedrick Vanover – 6.80 | Debut as a Gator; advanced to finals (time)
PJ Austin – DNS
200m (W)
1. Talitha Diggs – 23.14 | No. 4-ranked time on the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list; tied for 3rd in school history; collegiate debut; new personal best
5. Taylor Manson – 23.80
20. Lauryn Ghee – 25.44
200m (M)
3. Joseph Fahnbulleh – 20.79 | No. 5-ranked time on the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list; new personal record
11. Cameron Mahorn – 21.81
800m (W)
1. Gabrielle Wilkinson – 2:07.59 | No. 6-ranked time on the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list
5. Abbie Harrelson – 2:11.31
800m (M)
1. Jacob Miley – 1:51.98 | New personal record
8. Deshay Fernandes – 1:55.18
11. Chase Ruskin – 1:55.56 | New personal record
15. Dalton Brown – 1:56.62 | Collegiate debut
Mile (W)
6. Jordan Shapiro – 5:08.28 | Collegiate track & field debut
Chloe Hyde – DNS
Mile (M)
14. Hugh Brittenham – 4:18.58
Marshall Dillon — DNF
60mH (W)
7. Sterling Lester – 8.72
60mH (W)*
7. Sterling Lester – 8.85 | Debut as a Gator; advanced to finals (time)
60mH (M)
7. Joey Stravato – 8.30
60mH (M)*
5. Joey Stravato – 8.25 | Collegiate debut; advanced to finals (time)
4×400 (M)
3. Denzel Villaman – Ian Davis – Joseph Fahnbulleh – Jacob Miley-3:09.76 | No. 9-ranked time on the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list
6. Dedrick Vanover – Tyler Davis – Cameron Mahorn – Deshay Fernandes-3:26.12
4×400 (W)
3. Taylor Manson – Talitha Diggs – Sterling Lester – Lauryn Ghee – 3:36.20 | No. 9-ranked time on the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list
HJ (W)
10. Sterling Lester – 1.61 meters (5 feet, 3.25 inches)
LJ (W)
1. Claire Bryant – 6.28 meters (20 feet, 7.25 inches) | Tied for 5th in the NCAA; No. 9-ranked mark in school history; new indoor personal best, collegiate debut
2. Kala Penn – 6.14 meters (20 feet, 1.75 inches)
3. Alexis Brown – 5.88 meters (19 feet, 3.50 inches) | Collegiate debut
LJ (M)
1. Malcolm Clemons – 7.85 meters (25 feet, 9.25 inches) | Ranks 5th in the NCAA; No. 10-ranked mark in school history; new personal best; collegiate debut
6. PJ Austin – 7.43 meters (24 feet, 4.50 inches) | Debut as a Gator
8. Michael Holloway II – 6.68 (21 feet, 11 inches)
TJ (W)
4. Alissa Braxton – 11.91 meters (39 feet, 1 inch) | Collegiate debut
TJ (M)
3. Jonathan Miller – 14.88 meters (48 feet, 10 inches)
