2016 Season Preview: Throws

Jayla Bostic will focus solely on the hammer throw this season, her fifth and final go-round as a Gator.

2016 Season Preview: Throws

Sunday, January 17, 2016 | Track and Field

Several Gator throwers could be in line for breakout campaigns in 2016

By: Zach Dirlam

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida track and field program's throwers continued to establish themselves among the nation's elite in 2015, adding an indoor national title and a pair of Southeastern Conference crowns to the impressive numbers they've compiled over the last decade.

Even with the losses of national champions Stipe Zunic and Fawn Miller, a deep and talented group of returners have everything necessary to compile yet another successful campaign.

Below is a preseason synopsis of the Gators' throwers.

Discus Throw
Three Gators will look to contribute in the discus throw this season, with rising sophomore Lloydricia Cameron leading the trio.

25781 — Lloydricia Cameron flashed great potential as a true freshman last year.

Cameron took fifth place at the SEC Outdoor Championships, earning the top spot on the conference's All-Freshman Team.

This past summer, the Miami, Fla. native followed up that performance by earning the silver medal at the United States Track and Field Junior Outdoor Championships.

Fellow sophomore Jontavia Dykes took 11th place at the SEC Outdoor Championships, ranking fourth among freshmen competitors. She'll look to score at the conference meet and qualify for the NCAA Outdoor East Preliminary in her second season as a Gator.

For the men, redshirt freshman Christopher Olson will get his first taste of collegiate competition this spring.

Hammer Throw/Weight Throw
This could be the most intriguing group of throwers this season, as a pair of newcomers and four returners have the potential to score big points for the Gators.

Redshirt senior Jayla Bostic, a two-time All-American weight thrower, has one season of outdoor eligibility remaining, allowing her to focus solely on the hammer throw. Bostic scored in the event at each of the last three SEC Outdoor Championships, indicating she has the potential to flourish and advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2016.

Three of the eight athletes who finished ahead of Cameron at the SEC Outdoor Championships are gone, opening an opportunity for her to collect points in the hammer throw.

After an eighth-place showing at the 2015 USATF Junior Outdoor Championships, redshirt freshman AJ McFarland will battle newcomer Anders Eriksson for various honors during the outdoor campaign.

Eriksson's personal-best mark in the hammer throw (68.31 meters) would rank second on UF's all-time top 10. The Swede will be a well-known name by the time postseason competition begins in May.

Redshirt sophomore Angel Parra, a transfer from Embry-Riddle who won The Sun Conference Championships in the hammer and discus throws, could be a surprise contributor, too.

Javelin Throw
Two-time All-American and 2013 SEC Outdoor Champion Marija Vucenovic is back after missing 2015 due to injury. The 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championship runner-up finisher could join UF's slew of national champion throwers come June.

25874 — Marija Vucenovic will once again be a contender for SEC and national titles.

Redshirt senior Kike Oniwinde took seventh place at the conference meet last year, setting her up for a strong finish to her collegiate career.

Newcomer Megan Reed joins the crew after a year with the Florida softball team.

Shot Put
Cameron will be UF's only shot putter this season. In addition to top-10 finishes at both SEC Championships last season, Cameron snagged the bronze medal at the 2015 USATF Junior Outdoor Championships.

Notable Numbers

Florida's women have won seven throws national titles since 2006, the second-most by any Division I program during that span
UF's men and women throwers have combined for 28 league titles since 2006, nine more than any other SEC program during that timeframe
Sixteen of those titles have come at the SEC Outdoor Championships, tied for the highest total among conference programs since 2006
The Gators' 12 throws titles at the SEC Indoor Championships since 2006 are twice as many as the next-closest SEC program
UF's 15 men's SEC throws titles are the most among league programs since 2006
Florida's 13 women's SEC throws titles are tied for the most among conference programs over the last 10 seasons

Returners: Jayla Bostic (hammer throw), Lloydricia Cameron (shot put; weight throw; discus), Jontavia Dykes (hammer throw; weight throw; discus), AJ McFarland (weight throw; hammer throw), Kike Oniwinde (javelin), Marija Vucenovic (javelin)

Newcomers: Anders Eriksson (hammer throw), Angel Parra (weight throw; hammer throw), Megan Reed (javelin)