The Gators Track & Field program closed out its regular season with a strong showing at the LSU Invitational and East Coast Relays. In Baton Rouge, both the men’s and women’s teams delivered impressive performances, securing a total of seventeen top-five finishes, setting multiple personal records, and showcasing their potential for the upcoming postseason.
Here are the key highlights from the Gators’ regular season finale:
Top Performances:
- Jevaughn Powell, Wanya McCoy, Malique Smith-Band, and Robert Gregory achieved a notable feat in the 4x100m event, clocking a time of 38.71, which ranks as the third best time in the nation for 2024.
- Wanya McCoy made a strong 100m debut with a fifth-place finish and a time of 10.11 (+2.3m/s), just shy of the Florida All-Time Top 10 List.
- Powell continued his success in the 200m event, posting a time of 20.28 (+2.3m/s), which would have placed him among the top ten in program history if wind-legal.
- Reheem Hayles delivered a standout performance in the men’s 400m, clocking 45.31, marking both a season-best and the eighth-best time in the NCAA for 2024.
- Anthaya Charlton impressed in the long jump with a jump of 6.74m/22’1.5”, further solidifying her strong 2024 campaign.
Other Gators who secured top-five finishes include Miguel Pnatojas, Joe Wester, Imani Washington, Will Gross IV, Gracelyn Leiseth, Abraham Sargent, Claire Bryant, Malcolm Clemons, Sean Dixon-Bodie, and Alissa Braxton.
Read more: Quartermiler Rhasidat Adeleke stuns strong women’s 100m field at 2024 Texas Invitational
Breaking into the All-Time Top 10:
The women’s 4x100m team of Kayla Davis, Grace Stark, Jayla Hollis, and Anthaya Charlton set a season best with a time of 43.60, claiming the No. 10 spot on Florida’s All-Time Top 10 list in the event.
Let’s Get Personal:
- Ashton Schwartzman achieved a personal record in the men’s 400m, finishing in 45.90.
- Jayla Hollis set a new personal best of 12.97 in the 100m H, surpassing her previous record.
- Jess Edwards continued her impressive form by clocking 2:05.95 in the 800m event, improving upon her recent time of 2:05.99 from the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational.
The Florida Gators now turn their focus towards the postseason, carrying the momentum and confidence gained from a strong regular season.
