There were 15 runners competing for Florida on Saturday at the UCF Invitational, however it was a thrower who led the pack.
Senior Keely Medeiros opened her final outdoor season at UF by finishing second and fourth in shot put and discus, respectively.
“Keely had a good outing in both shot put and discus,” coach Mike Holloway said. “This was one of her top-five throws all-time and I think she’s setting herself up well for a strong outdoor season.”
Medeiros wasn’t the only Gator to have a solid performance for the women Saturday.
Brittany Harrell, who placed 14th in the javelin on Friday, placed sixth in the high jump with a 1.68m/5-6 and ran the 100mH in 14.42 seconds, which was good for a 13th place finish.
The multi-event athlete used this weekend to prepare for the Texas Relays next weekend where she will compete for the heptathlon for the first time this outdoor season.
“Brittany had a great indoor season and it’s carrying over to outdoor,” Holloway said. “With her high jump and hurdles today and her javelin yesterday, her fitness is great and she’s ready for next weekend.”
Tyler Cardillo had the best performance for the men and for the runners Saturday with his fourth-place finish (1:50.37) in the 800m. The rest of Florida’s 800m competitors followed Cardillo’s pace with seventh, eighth and 15th-place finishes.
The Gators historically field successful runners in the 400m, but they competed Saturday without top runner Tony McQuay, who was the runner-up at last season’s NCAA Outdoor Championships.
McQuay and Hugh Graham did not compete in the 400m at the UCF Invitational, but Jovon Toppin and Michael Burris stepped up with Top-10 finishes.
Toppin placed fifth (48.88) and Burris crossed the finish line in sixth place (48.91).
Their success, coupled with McQuay’s eventual return, bodes well for UF in the 400m down the road.
“Overall, it was a good effort this weekend,” Holloway said. “We had solid efforts across the board. We’re looking forward to next week and the Texas Relays.”
