Browning’s mile brings Florida smiles

The Florida track and field team posted seven NCAA automatic-qualifying efforts in a two-day span while competing in three meets across the country – the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa, and the Husky Classic in Seattle.

The three meets served as the final tune-up for the Gators before the Southeastern Conference Championships Feb. 26-28 in Fayetteville, Ark. Florida athletes won four events and also had 11 provisional-qualifying marks or times.

“I’m very, very proud of all three groups for getting some really good things done this weekend,” Florida head coach Mike Holloway said. “While we’re definitely pleased with the big things we were able to do this weekend, we’re not satisfied. The SEC meet is in two weeks and we have to be at our very best in all areas if we want to accomplish our goals.”

Distance runner Charlotte Browning won the women’s mile at the Husky Classic in a school-record time of 4:31.24. That bested her previous-best time of 4:36.09 and broke a nearly 13-year-old school record of 4:33.04 set by Becki Wells. It is the second school-record broken by a Florida distance runner this weekend, following a school-record 5,000-meter time by Rebecca Lowe Saturday night.

“Charlotte has been tremendous all year in her training level and consistency,” said Todd Morgan, assistant coach for distance. “This was her first mile of the season and she was really excited to get out there and see what she could do. I’m really proud of her – it was a school record, an automatic-mark and a facility record in a building that has seen a lot of really good runners.”

Browning’s time, recorded against a competitive field, is the fastest women’s mile in NCAA Division-I track and field this season.

“We’ve been seeing some very special things from Charlotte in training,” Holloway said. “We expect that type of performance from her and we’re very pleased with her progression this season.”

The Florida men’s 4×400-meter relay team clocked the third-fastest time in school history to claim the event in a season-best automatic-qualifying time of 3:05.52 at the Tyson Invitational. The new-look quartet consisted of Preston Wilson, Tony McQuay, Jovon Toppin and Calvin Smith. It tied for the second-best time in the nation so far this season.

“If you want to have a great relay program, the big thing is that you have to have multiple pieces and options,” Holloway said. “You never know if someone is going to maybe be sick or injured and you have to be able to put someone else on there and have confidence in what they’re able to accomplish. Preston Wilson is coming off an injury and, for him to step up for the team today, is big for our team and big for morale. To run the third-fastest time in school history really shows you what a talented group it is.”

Senior thrower Mariam Kevkhishvili won her 11th consecutive indoor shot put competition dating back to the 2008 season with an NCAA automatic-qualifying mark of 59 feet, 11¾ inches. That set the Lied Recreation Center facility record and the Iowa State Classic meet record.

Sophomore thrower Keely Medeiros finished third in the women’s shot put competition with a toss of 53 feet, 4¼ inches. Junior thrower Kemal Mesic was second in the men’s shot put with an NCAA provisional-qualifying mark of 61 feet, 11½ inches.

“Mariam continues to perform at a consistently high level and she broke the facility and meet records today, which was one of her goals,” assistant throws coach Steve Lemke said. “Keely was consistent at the level she was last week and that puts her in a good position for the SEC meet. All in all, it was a very good weekend.”

The Florida women’s 4×400-meter relay team shaved nearly a second-and-a-half off of its season-best time, recording the school’s fastest time in that event since 2005 with an NCAA provisional-qualifying time of 3:38.50. The quartet consisted of Alishea Usery, Danielle Williams, Lanie Whittaker and Michelle Stegall.

Smith and McQuay each notched NCAA provisional-qualifying times in the men’s 200-meter dash, placing sixth and seventh, respectively. Smith clocked a time of 21.07, while McQuay followed in 21.08.

Distance runner Stacey Johnson recorded an NCAA provisional-qualifying time of 4:43.05 in the women’s mile.

Freshman jumper Bryan Turner recorded a personal-best leap of 6 feet, 10¾ inches in the men’s high jump. Freshman Omar Craddock met the NCAA provisional-qualifying standard for the third consecutive meet, finishing fourth in the men’s triple jump at 51 feet, 1¾ inches. Florida has a week off before the SEC Championships Feb. 26-28 at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark.