Lester Kicks Off the Weekend for UF, Finishes 2nd in the Pentathlon

Friday, February 5

Columbia, S.C.

Florida Gators

South Carolina Invitational

Lester Kicks Off the Weekend for UF, Finishes 2nd in the Pentathlon

Friday, February 5, 2021 | Track and Field

By: Rick Hurtado

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Multi-eventer Sterling Lester gave the Gators a strong start Friday, placing second in the pentathlon after earning 3,837 points during the first day of this year's South Carolina Invitational in Columbia, S.C. The junior was the first Gator to compete in the two-day meet.

The Marietta, Ga. native now ranks sixth on UF's Indoor All-Time Top 10 list in the pentathlon.

🔶Strong Start for the Gators🔷

Sterling Lester finishes 2⃣nd in the pentathlon with 3,837 points. She now ranks 6th in school history. #GoGators 🐊 | #UFTF2021 pic.twitter.com/LFDYTLO3ih
— Gators Track and Field & Cross Country (@GatorsTF) February 5, 2021

Sterling's strongest performances came during the 60-meter hurdles and the 800 meters. She secured first place in the hurdles with a time of 8.65 seconds, while clocking a 2:20.85 time in the 800 meters for second place. A complete list of results for Lester's performances during the pentathlon portion of this weekend's meet is below.

The Gators are back in action Saturday as Florida's throwers will start the day with their season debut.

Senior Thomas Mardal and redshirt senior Connor Bandel will compete in the weight throw and shot put, respectively. Meanwhile on the women's side, sophomore Thea Jensen kick off her season in the shot put.

Returning senior Raymond Ekevwo and Sophomore hurdler Grace Stark will also compete for the first time this season as they'll run the 60 meters and 60-meter hurdles, respectively. A complete list of Gators competing Saturday is below.

Saturday's competition will be streamed live on SEC Network+ beginning at 11 a.m. ET, and it can be watched here.

CAROLINA CHALLENGE MEET INFORMATION (all times Eastern)

Day 1 Results
Live Results / Start Lists (Adkins Results)
Venue: Carolina Indoor Track and Field Complex
Coverage: Saturday's competition will be streamed live on SEC Network+ beginning at 11 a.m. ET, and it can be watched here. Additionally, follow the Gators on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for coverage and updates, and stay tuned to FloridaGators.com for a full recap of the two-day meet.
COVID-19 Protocol: During the 2021 track season there will be no fans permitted at South Carolina Track and Field events. In accordance with SEC policy, no unattached athletes will participate at any meets throughout the season. Additionally, athletes, coaches, staff and officials will adhere to social distancing and masking measures. More information regarding SEC protocol for winter sports can be found here.

Friday, February 5 (All events are finals)
Event	Place, Gators – Time / Mark \| Notes
Pent (W)	2. Sterling Lester – 3,837 Points \| Sixth-most points in UF history

	*Pentathlon Event-by-Event Scores*
60mH	1. Sterling Lester – 8.65 [991 points]
HJ	t-4. Sterling Lester – 1.62 meters (5 feet, 3.75 inches) [759 points]
SP	7. Sterling Lester – 10.96 meters (35 feet, 11.5 inches) [592 points]
LJ	6. Sterling Lester – 5.44 meters (17 feet, 10.25 inches) [683 points]
800m	2. Sterling Lester – 2:20.85 [812 points]

*Saturday, February 6 (unless denoted otherwise, events are finals)*
Time	Gators – Event
11 a.m.	PJ Austin; Jalen Chance; Michael Holloway II – Men's Long Jump
	Alexis Brown; Claire Bryant – Women's Long Jump
	Thomas Mardal – Men's Weight Throw
	Thea Jensen – Women's Shot Put
11:05 a.m.	Grace Stark – Women's 60-meter Hurdles (prelim)
11:25 a.m.	Joey Stravato – Men's 60-meter Hurdles (prelim)
11:40 a.m.	Semira Killebrew – Women's 60 meters (prelim)
12 p.m.	PJ Austin; Tyler Davis; Raymond Ekevwo; Joseph Fahnbulleh; Jadon Maddux; Cameron Mahorn; Dedrick Vanover – Men's 60 meters (prelim)
12:15 p.m.	Jordan Shapiro – Women's Mile
12:30 p.m.	Hugh Brittenham – Men's Mile
12:50 p.m.	Joey Stravato – Men's 60-meter Hurdles
12:55 p.m.	Grace Stark – Women's 60-meter Hurdles
1 p.m.	Talitha Diggs; Taylor Manson – Women's 400 meters
1:20 p.m.	Ian Davis; Denzel Villaman; Ryan Willie – Men's 400 meters
1:40 p.m.	Semira Killebrew – Women's 60 meters
1:45 p.m.	PJ Austin; Tyler Davis; Raymond Ekevwo; Joseph Fahnbulleh; Jadon Maddux; Cameron Mahorn; Dedrick Vanover – Men's 60 meters
1:50 p.m.	Gabrielle Wilkinson; Abbie Harrelson – Women's 800 meters
2 p.m.	Natricia Hooper; Kala Penn – Women's Triple Jump
	Jonathan Miller; Malcolm Clemons – Men's Triple Jump
	Connor Bandel – Men's Shot Put
2:10 p.m.	Deshay Fernandes; Dalton Brown; Jacob Miley; Chase Ruskin – Men's 800 meters
3 p.m.	Lauryn Ghee; Semira Killebrew – Women's 200 meters
3:20 p.m.	Tyler Davis; Joseph Fahnbulleh; Cameron Mahorn; Dedrick Vanover – Men's 200 meters
5:30 p.m.	Florida 'A'; Florida 'B' – Men's 4x400 Relay
5:45 p.m.	Florida 'A'; Florida 'B' – Women's 4x400 Relay

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