Gators Take Back NCAA Lead on Day 2 of Tom Jones Memorial Invitational

The Florida track and field team closed the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on Saturday by taking back the NCAA lead in the 4x400m relay and setting numerous other collegiate times at Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Top of the Track

The squad of Ashton Schwartzman, Justin Braun, Rios Prude Jr. and Jenoah McKiver placed second in the men’s 4x400m relay with a 3:01.52 run. The Gators took back the NCAA lead and improved on their 3:02.72 performance at the Pepsi Florida Relays.

This run gave the Gators the leading time against Texas A&M, which set the previous collegiate lead at 3:02.15 in the last meet. The Gators had taken the lead on Day 1, but the Aggies claimed it on Day 2 while the Gators grabbed the second spot.

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Braun’s Big Day

Braun also joined a team of Garrett Fox, Jaden Wiley and Malique Smith-Band to run a season best for Florida in the men’s 4x100m. Their 39.12 pace was good for ninth in the event and No. 11 time in the NCAA. The previous best for the squad was 39.17.

His stellar day didn’t stop there, the junior from Ohio also claimed the NCAA’s No. 9 time in the men’s 400m. His 45.37 effort landed him in third place in the event and a personal best.

Other Gators showed out as well in the same race. Schwartzman came in seventh place at 45.87 and Prude Jr. in eighth place with a season best of 46.07. Smith-Band also placed 13th with a personal best of 46.24.

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More Records

Anthaya Charlton continued to put her mark on the meet. Charlton won the women’s 100m invite with a 11.12 effort, setting the NCAA No. 12 mark. She had already taken the world and NCAA lead in the long jump on Friday.

In the field, Gracelyn Leiseth launched a personal best in the women’s discus invite. Her 56.30m mark earned her third place in the event’s leaderboard and rises her to No. 3 in UF history. She trails only Rachel Longfors and fellow teammate Alida van Daalen, who holds the No. 1 spot at 66.31m.

Up Next

The Gators closed out their homestand with impressive performances throughout both days. Florida will be back on the track for its last meet before the SEC Outdoor Championships with the LSU Invite on May 3 in Baton Rouge.