The Florida Women’s Track and Field team kicks off its 2015 season on Jan. 9 at the UAB Blazer Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama.
Despite the loss of key athletes such as indoor and outdoor All-Americans Cory McGee and Ebony Eutsey, the Gators are looking to capitalize on last season’s success.
The Gators set a new school record, boasting a total of 19 outdoor All Americans including McGee, who was named the Southeastern Conference Co-Women’s Runner of the Year.
Florida experienced its best NCAA Indoor Championships performance under head coach Mike Holloway, finishing tied for third place with Georgia.
Three Gators set new program records during the tournament. Shayla Sanders broke the record for the 60-meter race (7.18 seconds), Kyra Jefferson did the same in the 200-meter dash (22.79) and Brittany Harrell set a new Gator record for highest score in a pentathlon event with 4,287 points.
In the SEC Indoor Championships, the Gators came out victorious, scoring 102 points to take the conference title.
Florida won four events, one of which set a new Gators’ record, as the team of Robin Reynolds, Destinee Gause, Jefferson and Eutsey took the 4x400-meter relay in a time of 3:30.16.
Aside from the 4x4, three other Florida records were shattered, including the high jump, which was broken by Taylor Burke (1.87 meters).
Florida’s performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships resulted in a fourth-place finish, scoring 55 points.
The Gators were able to win one event at the championship, as All-American Fawn Miller delivered the best performance in the javelin toss (58.13 meters).
The Gators placed second in the SEC Outdoor Championships, compiling a total of 116.5 points.
Miller won the javelin (57.10 meters), while also setting a new meet record in the process.
McGee claimed the SEC championship and set the facility record in the 1500-meter race (4:13.48).
Ciarra Brewer set a new program and meet record with her performance in the triple jump event (13.91 meters).
The Gators will be losing seven players, three of which earned All-America honors in their careers. Despite the loss of key players such as McGee and Eutsey, Florida brings in a class of 10 freshmen and three transfers.
Follow Kyle Brutman on Twitter @KBrut13
Florida's Brittany Harrell competes in the heptathlon long jump at the NCAA track and field championships on Friday.
