LUBBOCK, Texas – The Gators started their 2025 Indoor Track and Field season in dominant fashion, seeing five top-three finishes and five new marks to UF’s program indoor top-10 lists.
In Gainesville, Bethan Morley made an impression in her Gators Track and Field debut, stamping her name into the pages of the NCAA record books by running the 10th fastest 1000m time in Collegiate history. The performance would set the tone for the day, and foreshadow the dominant performances for the rest of the day.
HIGHLIGHTS
Throws
Jonathan Witte and Jacob Lemmon dominated in the weight throw, finishing 1-2 respectively while posting the third and sixth-best marks in program history. The tandem of new Gators took their respective first and second placements on each their first throws of the day and would not relinquish them.
Jumps
Malcolm Clemons picked up right where he left off to begin 2025. The 2024 Olympian put up the second-best long jump mark in the field in the season opener and the best performance among collegiate competition. His 7.72m final leap was a comfortable 20 centimeters longer than the next closest collegian.
Sprints/Hurdles
Wanya McCoy was in a league of his own on Friday, winning his first-round heat, semifinal, and the final of the men’s 60m. His 6.53-second semifinal effort set a new personal best, and netted him third-place on Florida’s program all-time leaderboard, trailing only Gator legends Jeff Demps (6.52) and Grant Holloway (6.50). Demps and Holloway each set their respective personal bests during the final of the NCAA Indoor Championship meet, and McCoy’s season-opening effort has him in great position to vie for that crown himself.
Freshman Skyye Lee made the most of her first collegiate meet, winning her first-round heat and qualifying for the 60m Hurdles final. She appeared unfazed in three very competitive races and finished sixth in the 60m Hurdles final.
Demaris Waters also reached a 60m Hurdles final on the men’s side, qualifying on time to reach the semifinals and finals. His 7.73 time in the semifinal places him sixth on Florida’s Top-10 list.
Malique Smith-Band also posted multiple strong performances, placing second in the first round and winning his semifinal heat en route to a 6.72-second, sixth place finish in the final. Freshmen Vance Nilsson and Jaden Wiley each advanced to the semifinals in the 60m Hurdles and 60m respectively
Distance
The Gators’ distance crew competed in Gainesville…
In Gainesville, Bethan Morley made an impression in her Gators Track and Field debut, stamping her name into the pages of the NCAA record books by running the 10th fastest 1000m time in Collegiate history. The performance would set the tone for the day, and foreshadow the dominant performances for the rest of the day.
HIGHLIGHTS
Throws
Jonathan Witte and Jacob Lemmon dominated in the weight throw, finishing 1-2 respectively while posting the third and sixth-best marks in program history. The tandem of new Gators took their respective first and second placements on each their first throws of the day and would not relinquish them.
Jumps
Malcolm Clemons picked up right where he left off to begin 2025. The 2024 Olympian put up the second-best long jump mark in the field in the season opener and the best performance among collegiate competition. His 7.72m final leap was a comfortable 20 centimeters longer than the next closest collegian.
Sprints/Hurdles
Wanya McCoy was in a league of his own on Friday, winning his first-round heat, semifinal, and the final of the men’s 60m. His 6.53-second semifinal effort set a new personal best, and netted him third-place on Florida’s program all-time leaderboard, trailing only Gator legends Jeff Demps (6.52) and Grant Holloway (6.50). Demps and Holloway each set their respective personal bests during the final of the NCAA Indoor Championship meet, and McCoy’s season-opening effort has him in great position to vie for that crown himself.
Freshman Skyye Lee made the most of her first collegiate meet, winning her first-round heat and qualifying for the 60m Hurdles final. She appeared unfazed in three very competitive races and finished sixth in the 60m Hurdles final.
Demaris Waters also reached a 60m Hurdles final on the men’s side, qualifying on time to reach the semifinals and finals. His 7.73 time in the semifinal places him sixth on Florida’s Top-10 list.
Malique Smith-Band also posted multiple strong performances, placing second in the first round and winning his semifinal heat en route to a 6.72-second, sixth place finish in the final. Freshmen Vance Nilsson and Jaden Wiley each advanced to the semifinals in the 60m Hurdles and 60m respectively
Distance
The Gators’ distance crew competed in Gainesville…
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Original Article at Florida Gators…