The Seminole Twilight Invitational in Tallahassee proved to be just what UF needed this weekend as the Gators prepare for the upcoming Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships.
After a series of outstanding performances in recent meets, UF journeyed to Tallahassee in an attempt to sharpen its skills before playing host to the upcoming SEC Outdoor Championships, and the team did just that.
The Gators walked away with four event wins and 11 NCAA regional-qualifying marks. The team managed to go out and accomplish exactly what it set out to do - make improvements before the important championship stretch.
UF coach Mike Holloway believes UF's performance will carry over into momentum for the upcoming SEC meet.
"I've felt good about this group all year long. The big thing is everybody here trusts each other (and) believes in each other," Holloway said. "We all have the same focus and the same vision, and that produces great results."
Standouts for UF this weekend included some usual names as well as some new ones.
Kemal Mesic, who competed in his first collegiate discus competition Friday, threw the ninth-best distance in UF history with a regional-qualifying toss of 186-7/56.88m. The sophomore from Sarajevo, Bosnia, placed second in the men's discus and the men's shot put events.
Freshmen Ben Davies and Michael Anderson were responsible for UF's two event victories on Friday. Davies captured the first win during the men's javelin, followed by Anderson's first-place finish in the steeplechase.
Natalie Moser won the women's pole vault with a NCAA regional-qualifying leap of 13-1.50/4.00m. For the senior, it was the second pole vault victory this season. Her first win came in March at the UCF Black and Gold Challenge.
On Saturday, junior Mariam Kevkhishvili won the women's shot put after defeating seven other women, including fellow Gator Fidela James who placed fourth. Winning the shot put is nothing new for Kevkhishvili, who is the 2009 NCAA Indoor Shot Put Champion.
As the Gators gear up for the SEC Outdoor Championships this week, Holloway doubts practice for this meet will be any different than preparation for earlier meets this season.
"We need to continue to stay focused and stay on task," Holloway said. "Having our friends and family here for support during the meet will be great."
