Gators Win Nine Events as Patterson Improves Collegiate Record

The Florida Gators made the trip to Clemson, South Carolina this weekend to kick off the indoor track and field season.

On the men’s side, Jacory Patterson made his Florida Gator debut and wasted no time. Patterson finished the 300m with a time of 31.99 seconds earning a world lead as well as setting a new collegiate record. He shattered his previous record of 32.28 seconds.

On her way to setting a new school record in the 300m, Sophomore Talitha Diggs also won the 60m. Diggs ran 36.37 seconds in the 300m and finished the 60m in 7.26 seconds.

Setting records was a theme for the Gators this weekend as Grace Stark also set a new school record with an impressive 7.86 seconds in the 60m hurdles. Only two other collegiate athletes have run faster than Stark’s time of 7.86 seconds.

Moving over to jumps, the Gators swept the triple jump as Seniors Natricia Hooper & Jonathan Miller both took home first. Jasmine Moore, one of the new faces for the Gators also took home first for the Gators in the long jump. Moore’s mark of 6.58m places her third on the Florida all-time list.

Sam Austin, a freshman, in his very first collegiate meet ran 1:15.96 in the 600m. This mark places him 14th on the all-time collegiate list. Imogen Barrett also ran a personal best in the 800m with a time of 2:05.46. That time is good enough for ninth all time in Florida school history.

The men had a strong showing in the 60m as they placed third in the final race. The group was highlighted by Dedrick Vanover, finishing second with a time of 6.60 seconds, a personal best for him as well.

To finish the weekend, Florida ran a first place time in the women’s 4x400m relay race, posting a time of 3:33.11.

The Gators will travel to Clemson again later in the month to compete in the Bob Pollock meet on January 28th & 29th.