UF Track & Field: Diggs, Fahnbulleh Lead Gators’ Strong Performances in Arkansas
Courtesy of University Athletic Association
BY RICK HURTADO
UF leaves Arkansas with several NCAA top-10 performances, including two of the fastest times in the world
The Gators posted five NCAA top-10 performances, including two world top-10 times, to close the last day of competition in this year’s Tyson Invitational Saturday inside the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Freshman Talitha Diggs got things going for the Gators after crossing in 22.94 seconds in the 200 meters. A new personal best for Diggs, her time is the fifth-fastest in the NCAA, the eighth-fastest in the world and the second-fastest in school history.
Shortly after Diggs’ historic performance, fellow 200-meter sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh added to Florida’s record book on the men’s side. The sophomore posted the No. 4-ranked time on UF’s Indoor All-Time Top 10 list after finishing in 20.42 seconds, the second-fastest time in the NCAA and in the world.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle Wilkinson improved her personal record in the 800 meters. The redshirt sophomore crossed in 2:05.57, recording the seventh-fastest time in the NCAA this year.
As the Gators continued to post top-notch performances throughout the afternoon, jumper Natricia Hooper leapt for 13.31 meters (43 feet, 8 inches) in the triple jump, landing on the No. 8 spot of this year’s NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list.
Back on the track, the Gators women’s 4×400-meter relay squad—headlined by Taylor Manson, Talitha Diggs, Sterling Lester, and Doneisha Anderson—logged the last NCAA top-10 performance of the afternoon. The quartet posted a time of 3:34.02, which ranks ninth nationally.
On the distance front, the Gators added to what seemed a campaign to rewrite Florida’s record books.
Redshirt sophomore Trevor Foley made his first track and field appearance this year Saturday to post a time of 14:03.50 in the 5,000 meters. Having set a new personal record, Foley moved up UF’s Indoor All-Time Top 10 list with the fifth-fastest time in program history.
On the women’s side Imogen Barrett, who made her season debut Friday with Florida’s seventh-ranked DMR team, returned to the track Saturday to post UF’s sixth-fastest time in the mile. The junior crossed in 4:39.44, entering UF’s Indoor All-Time Top 10 list and setting a new personal record.
Other notable performances included new personal-best times by Semira Killebrew (23.62) and Tyler Davis (20.89) in the 200 meters and Jacob Miley in the 800 meters (1:50.47). A complete list of results for the Gators is below.
The Gators will be back in action on Feb. 25 as they return to Fayetteville for this year’s SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships. The championship meet will take place over the course of three days, from Feb. 25-27.
TYSON INVITATIONAL MEET INFORMATION
* Results (Flash Results)
* Results (PDF)
* Day 1 Recap
* Venue: Randal Tyson Track Center
