Gators Make Push for Postseason Spots in Jacksonville, Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La. – Florida Gators Track and Field closed out the outdoor regular season on a high note, as multiple athletes improved on personal and season bests in their respective events. The Gators’ sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers competed in Baton Rouge at the LSU Invite, while the throwers and middle-distance groups wrapped their seasons in Jacksonville at the East Coast Relays.
Highlights
Sprints/Relays
Freshman Jaden Wiley put together an incredible day at LSU, starting with his impressive anchor leg in the 4x100m Relay. He, along with Justin Braun, Garrett Fox and Malique Smith-Band, authored a season-best 38.94-second lap, good for No. 10 in NCAA this season.
Wiley would then compete in both the 100m and 200m, recording personal bests in both. His 20.39-second 200m places him at the No. 19 spot in the NCAA this season.
Anthaya Charlton, who has twice been named SEC Field Athlete of the Week for her efforts in the Long Jump, once again performed well in the 100m. Her wind-legal 11.14 time ties her for the No. 3 spot in program history in the signature sprint event.
In the 400m, Justin Braun, Reheem Hayles, Jenoah McKiver and Nicholas Spikes recorded excellent times. McKiver, making his return to the open 400m for the first time since Indoor season, ran to a 45.97 pace, taking an eighth-place finish.
Vance Nilsson took the event win in his 400m Hurdles debut with a 51.38 time. The 2024 U20 400m Hurdles World Champion treated the crowd in Baton Rouge to the first of what may be many wins in a decorated collegiate career.
Throws
In Jacksonville, the women’s discus field saw three Gators compete. Akari Isaac took third with her 55.74m mark, a personal best by more than two meters and the No. 4 performance in program history. Alida van Daalen won the event with her exceptional 65.45m throw, which stands as the No. 3 mark in the NCAA.
With Isaac’s performance, the Gators’ current roster now carries the No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 performers in the Discus in program history.
Mid-distance
The Gators’ four entries in the 800m distance recorded three personal bests and one season best. On the women’s side, Jess Edwards (2:04.63) and Layla Haynes (2:04.75) each cruised to significant personal bests. For the men, Miguel Pantojas recorded a 1:47.62 time en route to a runner-up finish.
Jumps
Malcolm Clemons took the event win in the Long Jump, returning to the form that made him an Olympian last season. Clemons, after a frustrating indoor season, appears to have regained much of his strength ahead of the impending championship season.
Jaden Lippett took the win in the men’s Triple Jump, recording a 15.86m mark. The freshman’s new personal best effort also landed him at No. 20 on the NCAA performance lists.
Looking Ahead
The Gators will begin the Outdoor Championship season on May 15, when the Gators head to Lexington, Ky. To compete in the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
East Coast Relays – Florida Gators Entries
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Highlights
Sprints/Relays
Freshman Jaden Wiley put together an incredible day at LSU, starting with his impressive anchor leg in the 4x100m Relay. He, along with Justin Braun, Garrett Fox and Malique Smith-Band, authored a season-best 38.94-second lap, good for No. 10 in NCAA this season.
Wiley would then compete in both the 100m and 200m, recording personal bests in both. His 20.39-second 200m places him at the No. 19 spot in the NCAA this season.
Anthaya Charlton, who has twice been named SEC Field Athlete of the Week for her efforts in the Long Jump, once again performed well in the 100m. Her wind-legal 11.14 time ties her for the No. 3 spot in program history in the signature sprint event.
In the 400m, Justin Braun, Reheem Hayles, Jenoah McKiver and Nicholas Spikes recorded excellent times. McKiver, making his return to the open 400m for the first time since Indoor season, ran to a 45.97 pace, taking an eighth-place finish.
Vance Nilsson took the event win in his 400m Hurdles debut with a 51.38 time. The 2024 U20 400m Hurdles World Champion treated the crowd in Baton Rouge to the first of what may be many wins in a decorated collegiate career.
Throws
In Jacksonville, the women’s discus field saw three Gators compete. Akari Isaac took third with her 55.74m mark, a personal best by more than two meters and the No. 4 performance in program history. Alida van Daalen won the event with her exceptional 65.45m throw, which stands as the No. 3 mark in the NCAA.
With Isaac’s performance, the Gators’ current roster now carries the No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 performers in the Discus in program history.
Mid-distance
The Gators’ four entries in the 800m distance recorded three personal bests and one season best. On the women’s side, Jess Edwards (2:04.63) and Layla Haynes (2:04.75) each cruised to significant personal bests. For the men, Miguel Pantojas recorded a 1:47.62 time en route to a runner-up finish.
Jumps
Malcolm Clemons took the event win in the Long Jump, returning to the form that made him an Olympian last season. Clemons, after a frustrating indoor season, appears to have regained much of his strength ahead of the impending championship season.
Jaden Lippett took the win in the men’s Triple Jump, recording a 15.86m mark. The freshman’s new personal best effort also landed him at No. 20 on the NCAA performance lists.
Looking Ahead
The Gators will begin the Outdoor Championship season on May 15, when the Gators head to Lexington, Ky. To compete in the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
East Coast Relays – Florida Gators Entries
Saturday, May 3, 2025
LSU Invite – Florida Gators Entrants
Saturday, May 3, 2025
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