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Florida Gator track and field competed in the 2023 Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Friday and Saturday. The Arkansas Razorbacks swept both titles for the fourth year in a row. Florida’s men’s and women’s teams finished runner-up while the program recorded 10 medals.
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Four Friday Medals
The Gators earned their first two medals in the SEC competition in the women’s long jump. Jasmine Moore, who has dominated the event all season long, captured the conference title with a 6.91-meter leap. Her performance ranked second in NCAA history. Claire Bryant’s 6.57-meter jump finished runner-up behind Moore.
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Sterling Lester placed third with 4,163 points in the women’s pentathlon, which included the 60-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800-meter race. Florida’s women placed second in the distance medley relay, with Imogen Barrett, Vanessa Watson, Gabrielle Wilkinson and Vasileia Spyrou combining to finish in 11 minutes, 6.1 seconds.
The Gators also fared well in several preliminary races to set themselves up for success on Saturday.
Talitha Diggs Makes History
Florida earned six medal wins Saturday, but none could compare to what Talitha Diggs accomplished. The junior ran the 400-meter race in 50.15 seconds, breaking the all-time NCAA record and setting a new American record as well.
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Jacory Patterson put up impressive numbers in the men’s 200 and 400-meter events. Patterson won the 200 with a 20.29-second time, the second best in program history, and finished second in the 400 with a 45.05-second effort.
The Gators received two more runner-up performances from Sam Austin in the men’s 800-meter race and Alida Van Daalen in the women’s shot put.
Florida wrapped up the SEC indoor championships with Moore’s second title, this time in the triple jump (14.09 meters).
What’s Next?
Florida will head to the NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 10 and 11. The women’s squad will look to defend its 2022 national title.
