Florida Ready to Dominate Track and Field Season

The cleats officially hit the track last weekend when the season opened for Florida’s outdoor track and field team.

Expectations to make a deep run into the NCAA regionals are high. After all, to be an everything school, the Gators have to win a championship. 

This all looks like it’s possible for Florida after its performance at the FSU relays in Tallahassee. Under the guidance of longtime coach Mike Holloway, the team won 14 NCAA Championships, his most recent in 2024 when UF won the NCAA Men’s Outdoor Championships. With his experience, the Gators hope to prove why they are a top program in both the SEC and NCAA during their next relays.

With the outdoor debut of 13 players this past relay, there are new faces and new talent to be displayed. Here’s what to know about the team:

Coming off their season-opener in Tallahassee and the Raleigh Relays, Florida proved it has a promising season ahead.  The Gators finished with nine new personal bests and eight new additions to the program’s all-time top-ten lists. 

The Gators took over the men’s javelin podium, where Leikel Cabrera Gay, Ayden Campbell and Aidan Broussard each took a spot in the top three. It was Campbell’s first appearance in the NCAA, but he showed the other teams he was ready to compete as he launched a javelin 65.05 meters on his first throw. 

Akari Isaac started her senior season with a personal best of 56.23 meters in the discus throw. 

 In sprints and hurdles, Jaden Wiley and Trenton Howard each secured two podium placements in the 100-meters and 200-meters events. Howard’s performance earned him two new personal bests in each, improving his time in the 100m by 0.27 seconds and in the 200m by 0.47 seconds. 

These standout performances shape the team to advance far and win in the postseason.  And despite the newcomers, Holloway plays a big part in what this team has and will become. Of Florida’s 137 all-time national championships, 90 have come from Holloway’s time as head coach. 

As the Gators head into their second relay of the season, they seem to be ready to face the hurdles coming their way. With star athletes like Graham Myers and Pauline Bikembo reaching new personal-best performances, the Gators seem to be on track to make that postseason run.

The Gators will host the Pepsi Florida Relays from Friday and Saturday and welcome both high school and collegiate competitors to the Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Track and Field