UF opens up at SECs with one gold medal and two runner-up finishes
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Florida track and field got off to a strong start Thursday as senior thrower Thomas Mardal collected gold in the weight throw, junior Sterling Lester earned silver in the Pentathlon and the Gators women’s DMR team finished second at this year’s SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships inside the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Mardal, who entered the competition with an NCAA-leading mark of 23.14 meters (75 feet, 11 inches), appeared to have secured the SEC title after a comfortable 24.04 meters (79 feet, 3.25 inches) throw in his first attempt. The Gloppen, Norway native topped the school record by 0.69 meters with that first throw, but that would not be his best performance of the day.
Florida’s new record holder went on to the throw for 23.89 meters, 24.15 meters and finished the day with a best mark of 24.16 meters (79 feet, 3.25 feet), breaking UF’s record three times and the SEC championships meet 10-year-old record. His new personal record ranks sixth on collegiate All-Time Top 10 list.
On the women’s side, Lester set a new personal record and the secured the No. 3 spot on UF’s Indoor All-Time Top 10 list after collecting 4,095 points in the pentathlon. The Marietta, Georgia native set new season bests in each of the multis events and a new personal record in the in high jump (1.68 meters – 5 feet, 6 inches). Her new personal record 4,095 points ranks fifth on this year’s NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list.
The women’s DMR squad, headlined by Gabrielle Wilkinson, Lauryn Ghee, Abbie Harrelson and Imogen Barrett, finished with a time of 11:00.31 which ranks on UF’s Indoor All-Time Top 10 list. A full list of results for Thursday’s events is below.
The Gators closed the first day of competition with a leading 16-point score on the women’s side, while the men rank third with 10 team points. The action will continue on Friday.
Sophomore Grace Stark, who earned silver in 2020 and owns the world under-20 record, will look to secure her first conference crown. Meanwhile sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh, who ranks second in the nation and in the world will headline the 200 meters for the Gators. Fahnbulleh posted a time 20.42 seconds two weeks ago at this year’s Tyson Invitational.
In the 60 meters, 2020 SEC Champion Raymond Ekevwo will look to earn his second gold medal as he enters the SEC tournament tied for second in the nation. Meanwhile sophomore Semira Killebrew, who won silver last year, will look to clinch the title on the women’s side.
Newcomer Talitha Diggs will represent the Gators in the 400 meters. Diggs, who earned consecutive SEC Women’s Freshman of the Week honors this season after positing the sixth-and-fifth-fastest times in the 400 and 200 meters, will be joined by senior Taylor Manson.
On the distance front, Wilkinson, who ranks eighth in the nation will compete in the 800 meters, while Barrett will run the mile.
Freshman Malcolm Clemons and junior PJ Austin will compete in the long jump. Clemons and Austin rank sixth and 13th in the NCAA, respectively. Meanwhile looking ahead to Saturday, jumpers Kala Penn and Natricia Hooper, who rank ninth and 10th respectively on this year’s NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list, will represent the Gators in the triple jump.
A complete list of Gators participating on Friday and Saturday, along with the full schedule of events and entries, is below.
Coverage of the 2021 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships will continue on SEC Network+ starting at 12:55 p.m. and 6:25 p.m. on Friday, and 1:55 p.m. and 6:25 p.m. on Saturday. See below for compete details.
2021 SEC INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP MEET INFORMATION (all times Eastern)
* Live Results / Start Lists<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.flashresults.com_2021-5FMeets_Indoor_02-2D25-5FSEC_&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YY3iuz7hk8SiXStE-ANBiAPmV_DEjf_gdyKX561yMNY&s=4mdbjmrNtuxPLA5eCyG19kQByh7feTLQZ6AYHU5jP6Y&e= > (Flash Results)
* Venue: Randal Tyson Track Center
* Coverage: This week’s championship meet will be streamed on SECN+. Additionally, fans can stay up to date by following the Gators’ social media platforms.
* Friday Broadcasts
* Men: 12:55 p.m. – Stream Live on SECN+<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3Db2927816-2D02bd-2D46fd-2Dadf1-2D580866569eb8&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YY3iuz7hk8SiXStE-ANBiAPmV_DEjf_gdyKX561yMNY&s=OtqOCGLDV3cMVeuPfdZ0yA9U0k7jYSk_tD-AX_cK33k&e= >
* Women: 6:25 p.m. – Stream Live on SECN+<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3D88c3cbf1-2D5411-2D447b-2D904d-2D3b2dce7d1c08&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YY3iuz7hk8SiXStE-ANBiAPmV_DEjf_gdyKX561yMNY&s=f0GiZajm8Qw9doPF6Bo90PQgpzmih7abyyxe16SCn98&e= >
* Saturday Broadcasts
* Men: 1:25 p.m. Stream Live on SECN+<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3Db378e53e-2Db5bc-2D40f6-2D855e-2D2833fe5c186d&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YY3iuz7hk8SiXStE-ANBiAPmV_DEjf_gdyKX561yMNY&s=4y1N0Vr_6dCJ0jGPYQZZBDEpKWnicIgh01IStEUGD4g&e= >
* Women: 6:25 p.m. Stream Live on SECN+<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3Db378e53e-2Db5bc-2D40f6-2D855e-2D2833fe5c186d&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YY3iuz7hk8SiXStE-ANBiAPmV_DEjf_gdyKX561yMNY&s=4y1N0Vr_6dCJ0jGPYQZZBDEpKWnicIgh01IStEUGD4g&e= >
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* COVID-19 Protocol: Due to safety concerns, the 2021 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships will be limited to athletes, coaches, staff and officials only. Additionally, athletes, coaches, staff and officials will adhere to social distancing and masking measures. More information regarding SEC protocol for winter sports can be found here<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__a.espncdn.com_sec_media_2021_SEC-2520Task-2520Force-2520Recommendations-2520Winter.pdf&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YY3iuz7hk8SiXStE-ANBiAPmV_DEjf_gdyKX561yMNY&s=s70FQM6QZqHiZ-ItP4limgRAsy9k7L6GTHiHmthb4ME&e= >.
Thursday, February 25 (All events are finals)
Event
Place, Gators – Time/Mark | Notes
DMR (W)
2. Gabrielle Wilkinson; Lauryn Ghee; Abbie Harrelson; Imogen Barrett – 11:00.31 | SEC runner-up, eight team points, sixth-best time in the NCAA, No.3-ranked time on UF’s Indoor All-time Top 10 list
DMR (M)
10. Marshall Dillon, Denzel Villaman, Deshay Fernandes, Cade Monk – 9:46.42
WT (M)
1. Thomas Mardal – 24.16 meters (79 feet, 3.75 inches) | SEC Champion, SEC Championship record, UF record, sixth-best mark in collegiate history, personal record, NCAA leader, 10 team points
Pent (W)
2. Sterling Lester – 4,095 points | Silver medalist, eight team points, personal record, third most points in UF history, fifth-most points in the NCAA
Pentathlon Event-by-Event Scores
60mH
6. Sterling Lester – 8.57 [1,002 points] | Season best
HJ
8. Sterling Lester – 1.68 meters (5 feet, 6 inches) [830 points] | New personal best
SP
5. Sterling Lester – 11.17 meters (36 feet, 7.72 inches) [606 points] | Season best
LJ
6. Sterling Lester – 5.80 meters (19 feet, 0.50 inches) [789 points] | Season best
800m
2. Sterling Lester – 2:16.73 [868 points] | Season best
Friday, February 26 (unless denoted otherwise, events are finals)
Time
Gators – Event
2:45 p.m.
Malcolm Clemons; PJ Austin – Men’s Long Jump
3 p.m.
Marshall Dillon – Men’s Mile (semifinals)
3:15 p.m.
Joey Stravato – Men’s 60-meter Hurdles (semifinals)
3:25 p.m.
Ian Davis; Denzel Villaman; Ryan Willie – Men’s 400 meters (semifinals)
3:50 p.m.
Tyler Davis; Raymond Ekevwo; Joseph Fahnbulleh; Dedrick Vanover – Men’s 60 meters (semifinals)
4:05 p.m.
Deshay Fernandes; Jacob Miley – Men’s 800 meters (semifinals)
4:15 p.m.
Trevor Foley – Men’s 5,000 meters
4:35 p.m.
Tyler Davis; Joseph Fahnbulleh; Cameron Mahorn; Dedrick Vanover; Ryan Willie – Men’s 200 meters (semifinals)
7:30 p.m.
Alexis Brown; Claire Bryant – Women’s Long Jump
8 p.m.
Imogen Barrett – Women’s Mile (semifinal)
8:15 p.m.
Grace Stark – Women’s 60-meter hurdles (semifinal)
8:25 p.m.
Talitha Diggs; Taylor Manson – Women’s 400 meters (semifinal)
8:50 p.m.
Semira Killebrew – Women’s 60 meters (semifinal)
9:05 p.m.
Gabrielle Wilkinson; Abbie Harrelson – Women’s 800 meters (semifinal)
9:35 p.m.
Semira Killebrew – Women’s 200 meters (semifinal)
Saturday, February 27 (unless denoted otherwise, events are finals)
Time
Gators – Event
1:30 p.m.
Connor Bandel – Men’s Shot Put
2:30 p.m.
Jonathan Miller; Malcolm Clemons – Men’s Triple Jump
3 p.m.
Marshall Dillon – Men’s Mile
3:10 p.m.
Tyler Davis; Raymond Ekevwo; Joseph Fahnbulleh; Dedrick Vanover – Men’s 60 meters
3:20 p.m.
Ian Davis; Denzel Villaman; Ryan Willie – Men’s 400 meters
3:30 p.m.
Joey Stravato – Men’s 60-meter Hurdles
3:40 p.m.
Deshay Fernandes; Jacob Miley – Men’s 800 meters
3:50 p.m.
Tyler Davis; Joseph Fahnbulleh; Cameron Mahorn; Dedrick Vanover; Ryan Willie – Men’s 200 meters
4:20 p.m.
Florida ‘A’ – Men’s 4×400 Relay
5:30 p.m.
Thea Jensen – Women’s Shot Put
6:30 p.m.
Natricia Hooper; Kala Penn – Women’s Triple Jump
7 p.m.
Imogen Barrett – Women’s Mile
7:10 p.m.
Semira Killebrew – Women’s 60 meters
7:20 p.m.
Talitha Diggs; Taylor Manson – Women’s 400 meters
7:30 p.m.
Grace Stark – Women’s 60-meter hurdles
7:40 p.m.
Gabrielle Wilkinson; Abbie Harrelson – Women’s 800 meters
7:50 p.m.
Semira Killebrew – Women’s 200 meters
8:20 p.m.
Florida ‘A’ – Women’s 4×400 Relay
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