UF TF: Three More Gators Secure their Spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships

Alida van Daalen, Claire Bryant, and Jasmine Moore punch their tickets to Austin while nine female Gators advance to the final round of qualifying

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Day two of the NCAA East Prelims featured the women competing for the first time at the NCAA East Preliminaries and three Gators punched their ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Alida van Daalen was the first of the day to secure her spot in Austin, finishing third overall in the competition (17.54m/57’6.5″). The freshman has qualified for both NCAA Championships she has been eligible for as a Gator. The long jump pairing of Claire Bryant and Jasmine Moore once again heads to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Moore and Bryant have qualified for every NCAA Championship in 2022 and 2023 in the long jump. Bryant earned first in the competition with a mark of 6.58m/21’7.25″ and Moore secured second (6.43m/21’1.25″).

The first running event of the day was the women’s 100m hurdles and three Gators advanced to the next round of competition. Grace Stark (12.86) and Jayla Hollis (13.15) both automatically advanced after finishing in the top-3 of their heats. Sterling Lester also qualified after finishing twenty-fourth in the first round with a time of 13.31.

In the next event, Gabrielle Wilkinson won her 1500m heat (4:20.76) and automatically advanced to the next round of the 1500m competition. Shortly after, Kynnedy Flannel ran a new 100m personal best (11.15) and automatically qualified for the next round of the 100m event.

Talitha Diggs (51.78) and Laila Owens (53.43) both advanced to the next round in the 400m. Diggs finished first overall in the first round of 400m qualifying . Following the 400m, Imogen Barrett won her 800m heat (2:06.52) and advanced to the final round of the 800m prelims.

The seventh runner of the day to advance through the first round of prelims was Vanessa Watson. Watson won her heat and placed fourth overall in the 400m hurdles.

In the final event of the day, both Talitha Diggs (22.43) and Kynnedy Flannel (22.50) ran season bests and finished second and third respectively in the first round of the 200m competition. Both automatically advanced to the next round.

In total, the Gators advanced nine female runners through the first round of the NCAA East Prelims.

Tomorrow the Gators men’s team returns to action for the final day of the men’s competition. Day three begins with the men’s 4×100 competition at 5 p.m. ET and ends with the 4×400 relay.

NCAA EAST PRELIMINARIES MEET

Thursday’s Finals Recap

Shot Put

Women- Alida van Daalen qualified for her first NCAA Outdoor Championships, finishing third overall in the NCAA East Prelims (17.54m/57’6.5″). Van Daalen has qualified for both NCAA Championships she has been eligible for as a Gator. Thea Jensen (14.77m/48’5.5″) finished thirty-ninth.

Long Jump

Women- The long jump duo of Claire Bryant and Jasmine Moore qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Bryant finished first at the NCAA East Prelims with a mark of 6.58m/21’7.25″ and Moore finished second (6.43m/21’1.25″).

Thursday’s Prelims Recap

100m

Women- Kynnedy Flannel finished seventh with a new personal best (11.15), automatically qualifying for the next round of the 100m competition.

100m Hurdles

Women- Both Grace Stark (12.86) and Jayla Hollis (13.15) automatically qualified for the next round after they each finished top-3 in their heats. Stark finished fifth overall and Hollis finished nineteenth overall in qualifying. Sterling Lester’s time of 13.31, placed her twenty-fourth and qualified her for the next round. Imani Carothers finished thirtieth (13.44).

200m

Women- The duo of Talitha Diggs and Kynnedy Flannel advanced to the next round in the 200m. Diggs finished second overall (22.43) and Flannel finished third overall (22.50) in the first round. Jayla Hollis (23.30) and Sterling Lester (23.85) finished twenty-eight and fourty-sixth respectively.

400m

Women- Talitha Diggs automatically qualified for the next round of the women’s 400m competition after earning first overall in the first round (51.78). Laila Owens also qualified for the next round with a time of 53.43. Ramiah Elliott finished thirty-first and Kayla Davis finished fortieth.

400m Hurdles

Women- Vanessa Watson continues her strong season in the 400m hurdles, winning her heat and placing fourth overall in the first round of the 400m hurdles (57.14). Watson automatically advances to the next round by winning her heat.

800m

Women- Imogen Barrett won her heat (2:06.52), automatically qualifying for the next round of the 800m competition. She placed nineteenth overall in the first round.

1500m

Women- Gabrielle Wilkinson won her 1500m heat (4:20.76), automatically advancing to the next round of the 1500m. Lucinda Rourke finished thirty-seventh (4:26.95).

HOLLOWAY’S WORDS

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

“It was a very productive day for the ladies. I am very excited for Kynnedy Flannel for her breakthrough in both of her races today. We positioned ourselves to have a great day on Saturday.”

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

Event

Place, Gators (Time/Distance), Notes

Shot Put (W)

3. Alida van Daalen (17.54m/57’6.5″) Qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships

39. Thea Jensen (14.77m/48’5.5″)

Long Jump (W)

1. Claire Bryant (6.58m/21’7.25″) Qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships

2. Jasmine Moore (6.43m/21’1.25″) Qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships

100m (W) Prelims

7. Kynnedy Flannel (11.15) Personal Best, Automatically Qualified for the Next Round

100m Hurdles (W) Prelims