Gators Track Impresses at David Hemery Valentine Invitational

The Florida Gators Track and Field team turned heads over the weekend. In their last live action before the indoor postseason, the Gators claimed top national marks, earned SEC awards, and set school records and personal bests.

The team sent five runners to the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, Massachusetts, one of two meets in a split weekend. The Gators saw success in Beantown, with athletes excelling in both the men’s and women’s mile.

Asekol Records Top 5 Time in Women’s Mile

Senior Flomena Asekol ran the fourth-fastest mile in NCAA women’s indoor track and field history, finishing with a time of 4:26.47. The Alabama transfer cut eight seconds off her personal best with the performance, earning SEC Women’s Co-Runner of the Week Honors.

Going with the Flo 🌊#GoGators 🐊 pic.twitter.com/wm8LBDNuFS

— Gators Track and Field & Cross Country (@GatorsTF) February 13, 2024

Additionally, Asekol’s time is the second-best mark in the NCAA, and best in the SEC, in 2024. The native of Kapenguria, Kenya also set the University of Florida school record and the Kenyan national record for the women’s mile.

Teammate Elise Thorner joined Asekol with a top spot on the school’s all-time list for the event. Thorner recorded a new personal best time of 4:35.72 in Boston, good for fifth in Florida history.

Khan Sets School Record in Men’s Mile

Freshman phenom Parvej Khan set a University of Florida record in the men’s mile, with a time of 3:56.64. His record-breaking run edges out the previous best time of 3:56.84, set by Dumisane Hlaselo in 2011.

Khan, who made his collegiate track debut in January, holds a national record as well.

National record alert 🚨

True freshman Parvej Khan of @GatorsTF improves his Indian national record in the mile with his 3:56.64 PB at the BU Valentine Invite. pic.twitter.com/Cdp8S1u1mi

— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) February 10, 2024

The Gators also competed in the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas over the weekend. After having success in both meets, the men and women each find themselves ranked top-five in the nation.

Final regular season standings 🙌

The Gators Men and Women land at No. 5 and No. 3 on the @USTFCCCA Week 4 National Coaches’ Poll!#GoGators 🐊 pic.twitter.com/AO9ozS8Yfg

— Gators Track and Field & Cross Country (@GatorsTF) February 12, 2024

The Gators are set to start postseason competition at the SEC Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on February 23 and 24.