Gators Take Over Day Three of Pepsi Florida Relays

The Gator track teams shined through on Day Three of the 72nd Pepsi Florida Relays, despite the rainy start in Gainesville.

Florida’s women’s 4 x 100 medley relay team of Robin Reynolds, Shayla Sanders, Skylar Ross-Ransom and Kyra Jefferson claimed the Walter Welsch Award with an NCAA-leading time and second best time in school history of 42.85.

Llyodricia Cameron posted big numbers in the shot-put, hitting 17.06 meters; the sixth best mark in Florida outdoor shot put history.

Over at the triple jump, KeAndre Bates was able to post the second best mark in Division 1 this year and the number eight mark on UF’s all-time outdoor top 10 at 16.04 meters.

The Gators won first place in the men’s 4 x 400 medley relay as Najee Glass, Arman Hall, Hugh Graham Jr. and Eric Futch ran a 3:03:42, the number four time in Division I this season.

The women’s team also took the 4 x 400 medley relay as Robin Reynolds, Kyra Jefferson, Sharrika Barnett and Claudia Francis posted a school record and 10th fastest time in collegiate history at 3:26:28.

SCHOOL RECORD!!! #Gators team of @_NIBOR, @kyruhjeff, Barnett, Francis go 3:26.28. Listen to that crowd! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/gAIoWsxvIn

— Gators Track and Field & Cross Country (@GatorsTF) April 2, 2016

“The fact that we’re at home gave us a home-field advantage,” said Kyra Jefferson. “It got the crowd hyped, and it just gave us more motivation to come in and run fast.”

They didn’t know they broke the school record until much later, Jefferson said.

“It’s a pleasing thing, but, like I told the team afterwards, all that means is that we have to work harder,” said Mike Holloway, Florida men’s and women’s track and field head coach.  “We have to keep our drive and our focus, because too many times people run well early and then get complacent.”

Michael Timpson, Ryan Clark, Kunle Fasasi and Andres Arroyo gave the Gators a second place finish in the 1600 meter sprint medley relay.  The team finished just 1.03 seconds off the school record (3:14.24).

In the women’s 4 x 100 meter shuttle hurdle relay, Gators Skylar Ross-Ransom, Kimani Rushing, Ryann McEnany and Tyjah Eady stole second place with a time of 54.18.

The Gators also honored their veterans on Saturday during a Senior Day ceremony.

LIVE on #Periscope: #Gators senior ceremony at #FLRelays16 https://t.co/gthtuWhRkE

— Gators Track and Field & Cross Country (@GatorsTF) April 2, 2016

“Senior day is always very emotional,” Holloway said.  “For some reason, this group tugs at my heart. (They’re) a bunch of good athletes, a bunch of good people, their families are incredible, so that was very emotional today.”

The Gators will continue their season as they host the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on April 22.