Florida distance runners, throwers star in FSU and Raleigh Relays
By Logan McBride | Mar. 27Behind distance wins and a banner day for Gator throwers, Florida delivered on a successful two day stretch in Tallahassee and Raleigh.
Track and Field Reporter Logan McBride is a journalism junior and a Spring 2026 track and field reporter. In his free time, he enjoys watching TV shows or playing basketball at Southwest Rec. He is also a big football fan and will die for Dak Prescott.
Behind distance wins and a banner day for Gator throwers, Florida delivered on a successful two day stretch in Tallahassee and Raleigh.
On a windy day in Lexington, Kentucky, the Gators completed their sweep of the Kentucky Wildcats behind a surge of runs.
Behind blistering runs from Justin Braun and Wanya McCoy, Florida’s sprint squad delivered one of its strongest showings of the season.
With four minutes left in the second quarter, Florida briefly found momentum. Guard Emilija Dakic hit back-to-back threes, and a Laila Reynolds steal led to an Alexia Dizeko basket, tying the game at 23 with Georgia.
Multiple podium finishes in the distance events kept Florida competitive at the men’s SEC Indoor Championships, but the Gators’ efforts were only enough for fourth in the final team standings.
Junior sprinter Jade Brown transferred to Florida during the 2025 summer portal window, a decision that centered around more than just the school. For Brown, Florida offered a chance to compete for a prestigious program and return home to the state she grew up in.
The Florida Gators stretched their success across three time zones this weekend, posting historic marks in three different states. While the bulk of the squad returned to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the Tyson Invitational, other Florida runners clocked in performances out west in Seattle and up north in Boston on Feb. 13–14.
The Gators opened their 2026 indoor track road slate in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Florida’s distance runners turned in a standout weekend.
Florida track and field locked up 13 event wins in its indoor season opener in Gainesville. The Gators dominated distance races and field events, led by Claire Stegall’s historic kilometer.
Around 75 protesters sported matching shirts and signs outside Melrose Heritage Park to oppose a proposed 270-acre event space.
A man sits on a scooter protesting against the creation of Wildflowers Music Park in Melrose, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
Attendees gather at a public workshop about the Citizens Field Revitalization project on May 29, 2025.