Mardal’s Fourth-Career SEC Title Highlights Day 1 at SEC Outdoors

Thursday, May 13

Bryan-College Station, Texas

Florida Gators

SEC Outdoor Championships

Mardal’s Fourth-Career SEC Title Highlights Day 1 at SEC Outdoors

Thursday, May 13, 2021 | Track and Field

Photo Gallery

By: Rick Hurtado

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Florida thrower Thomas Mardal continued his historic senior campaign Thursday, claiming his fourth-career conference title during the first day of this year's SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Bryan-College Station, Texas.

The 2021 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year claimed the first individual title of the weekend for UF after firing a series-best throw of 74.78 meters (245 feet, 4 inches).

Mardal, who was crowned SEC and NCAA champion indoors earlier this year, became the fifth thrower since 2006 to compile at least four combined SEC crowns and is tied for the fourth-most titles among SEC throwers in that span. Among UF throwers, his four conference titles rank tied for second-most in UF history, joining Stipe Zunic (2012, 2014 & 2015) and Doc Luckie (1978 & 1979). John Morton (1967, 1968, 1969) holds the record with six.

Mardal's other three SEC championships include a hammer title in 2019 and weight throw crowns in 2020 and 2021.

On the track, redshirt freshman Joseph Fahnbulleh, who entered the championship meet with the third-best time in the nation and in the world in the 200 meters, clocked a time of 20.46 [+0.6] seconds to advance to the finals. Fahnbulleh was followed by Dedrick Vanover, who also advanced to the finals with a new personal-best time of 20.65 [+1.8] seconds.

On the distance side, redshirt sophomores Gabrielle Wilkinson and Imogen Barrett both advanced to the 800 meters finals.

Wilkinson, who arrived in Texas ranked fifth on this year's Division I Outdoor Qualifying list, crossed in 2:05.40, while Barrett clocked a time of 2:09.27.

Meanwhile, redshirt senior Denzel Villaman also secured a spot on the finals after logging a time of 50.96 in the 400-meter hurdles.

The final rounds for the 200 meters, 800 meters and 400-meter hurdles are all scheduled for Saturday.

Out on the field, redshirt junior Jacob Stanko finished eighth in the SEC in the Javelin with a mark of 64.16 meters (210 feet, 6 inches), contributing one team point for the Gators.

Another notable performance was that of redshirt freshman Gianna Forte, who posted a new-personal best time of 36:17.23 in the 10,000 meters.

Thursday's competition also featured the first part of the women's heptathlon, in which Florida's Sterling Lester currently sits in fifth place.

The redshirt sophomore scored 3,544 points through four-of-seven events, placing second in 200 meters (23.60 [+3.1]) and the 100-meter hurdles (13.44 [+1.5]), while finishing seventh and eighth in the shot put (1.68 meters / 5 feet, 6 inches) and high jump (11.62 meters / 38 feet, 1.50 inches), respectively.

The heptathlon resumes Friday, along with the rest action of the 2021 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

A complete list of results from Thursday, along with entries for Friday and Saturday, is below.

Friday's coverage will be provided by SEC Network+ with a broadcast starting at 5:35 p.m. Saturday's broadcast will begin at 6 p.m., and it will air on SEC Network. See below for complete details.

2021 SEC INDOOR MEDALISTS

Thomas Mardal, Men's Hammer Throw – 2021 Outdoor SEC Champion

QUOTABLE

Thomas Mardal

On winning the SEC title and what is next from here

"It felt alright. I've been struggling with my hip for the last month so I wanted at least to get in at least 2 or 3 throws in today and I was able to get in all 6. Just that is a big win for me. I wasn't sure what I was expecting distance wise today. Obviously, I wanted to get the win and I did that today by an alright margin. I wanted to get at least 73 meters today and I had three throws over that, so I'm very happy with the consistencies. Now, I just have to make sure that my hip is alright for the next month or so and at least qualify comfortably for regionals and then do well at nationals. I think for me it's more about getting back to normal training and lifting, and if I can do that then I'm sure that the distances will get better."

2021 SEC OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP MEET INFORMATION (all times Eastern)

Live Results / Start Lists (Flash Results)
Meet Notes
Venue: E.B. Cushing Stadium

Coverage: This week's championship meet will be streamed on SECN+ and SEC Network. Additionally, fans can stay up to date by following the Gators' social media platforms.
- Friday Broadcast
  - 5:35 p.m. – Stream Live on SECN+
- Saturday Broadcast
  - 6 p.m. – Stream Live on SEC Network
- Follow the Gators on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for coverage and updates, and stay tuned to FloridaGators.com for a full recap of the championship meet.

*Thursday, May 13 ( denotes semifinals, all other events are finals)**
Event	Place (points), Gators – Time/Mark \| Notes
200m (W)*	23. Lauryn Ghee – 24.52 [+0.6]
200m (M)*	4. Joseph Fahnbulleh – 20.46 [+0.6] \| Advanced to finals (automatic)
	5. Dedrick Vanover – 20.65 [+1.8] \| Advanced to finals (time), new personal record
	10. Tyler Davis – 20.95 [+1.8]
	Cameron Miller – DNS
400mH (M)*	7. Denzel Villaman – 50.96 \| Advanced to finals (time)
800m (W)*	2. Gabrielle Wilkinson – 2:05.40 \| Advanced to finals (automatic)
	12. Imogen Barret – 2:09.27 \| Advanced to finals (automatic)
	15. Abbie Harrelson – 2:10.90
800m (M)*	17. Deshay Fernandes – 1:53.19
	21. Chase Ruskin – 1:54.64
	22. Dalton Brown – 1:57.07
10,000m (M)	17. Nick Deal – 31:41.27
10,000m (W)	10. Jessica Pascoe – 35:05.10
	17. Gianna Forte – 36:17.23 \| New personal best
HT (M)	1. (10) Thomas Mardal – 74.78 meters (245 feet, 4 inches) \| SEC Champion, facility record.
JT (M)	8. (1) Jacob Stanko – 64.16 meters (210 feet, 6 inches) \| Season best
Hept (W) Day1	5. Sterling Lester – 3,544 points \| *Results as of Day 1 [100mH; HJ; SP & 200m], competition resumes Day 2

	*Heptathlon Event-by-Event Scores (Day 1)*
200m	2. Sterling Lester – 23.60 [+3.1] [1,019 points] \| Season best
100mH	2. Sterling Lester – 13.44 [+1.5] [1,059 points] \| Season best
HJ	8. Sterling Lester – 1.68 meters (5 feet, 6 inches) [830 points]
SP	7. Sterling Lester – 11.62 meters (38 feet, 1.50 inches) [636 points]

*Friday, May 14 (unless denoted otherwise, events are finals)*
Time	Gators – Event
3:35 p.m.	Sterling Lester – Women's Heptathlon Day 2
5:30 p.m.	Alissa Braxton; Claire Bryant; Nadia Williams – Women's Long Jump
6 p.m.	Clayton Brown – Men's High Jump
7 p.m.	Joey Stravato – Men's 110-meter Hurdles (semifinals)
7:15 p.m.	Grace Stark – Women's 100-meter Hurdles (semifinals)
7:20 p.m.	Connor Bandel – Men's Shot Put
7:40 p.m.	Caden Monk; Angel Vicioso – Men's 1,500 meters (semifinals)
8 p.m.	Imogen Barrett; Emily Culley; Vasileia Spyrou; Gabrielle Willkinson – Women's 1,500 meters (semifinals)
8:05 p.m.	PJ Austin; Jalen Chance; Caleb Foster; Michael Holloway II – Men's Long Jump
8:20 p.m.	Kunle Fasasi; Jacob Miley; Chantz Sawyers; Ryan Willie – Men's 400 meters (semifinals)
8:45 p.m.	Doneisha Anderson; Talitha Diggs; Taylor Manson – Women's 400 meters (semifinals)
9 p.m.	Thea Jensen – Women's Shot Put
9:10 p.m.	Joseph Fahnbulleh; Dedrick Vanover; Tyler Davis – Men's 100 meters (semifinals)
9:35 p.m.	Alexis Brown; Semira Killebrew – Women's 100 meters (semifinals)
10 p.m.	Marshall Dillon; Trevor Foley; Reed Legg – Men's 3,000-meter Steeplechase

*Saturday, May 15 (unless denoted otherwise, events are finals)*
Time	Gators – Event
3:30 p.m.	Connor Bandel, Edward Shelikoff – Men's Discus
	Clayton Brown; Jonathan Miller – Men's Triple Jump
6 p.m.	Florida 'A' – Men's 4x100 Relay
6:15 p.m.	Florida 'A' – Women's 4x100 Relay
	Alissa Braxton; Natricia Hooper – Women's Triple Jump
6:25 p.m.	Caden Monk; Angel Vicioso – Men's 1,500 meters
6:35 p.m.	Imogen Barrett; Emily Culley; Vasileia Spyrou; Gabrille Wilkinson – Women's 1,500 meters
6:45 p.m.	Joey Stravato – Men's 110-meter Hurdles
	Claire Bryant – Women's High Jump
6:55 p.m.	Grace Stark – Women's 100-meter Hurdles
7:05 p.m.	Kunle Fasasi; Jacob Miley; Chantz Sawyers; Ryan Willie – Men's 400 meters
7:15 p.m.	Doneisha Anderson; Talitha Diggs; Taylor Manson – Women's 400 meters
7:25 p.m.	Joseph Fahnbulleh; Dedrick Vanover; Tyler Davis – Men's 100 meters
7:35 p.m.	Semira Killebrew – Women's 100 meters
7:55 p.m.	Imogen Barrett; Gabrielle Wilkinson – Women's 800 meters
8:05 p.m.	Denzel Villaman – Men's 400-meter Hurdles
8:25 p.m.	Joseph Fahnbulleh; Dedrick Vanover – Men's 200 meters
8:45 p.m.	Nick Deal; Trevor Foley – Men's 5,000 meters
9:05 p.m.	Emily Culley; Maria Fernandez; Stephy Ormsby; Jessica Pascoe; Vasileia Spyrou – Women's 5,000 meters
9:30 p.m.	Florida 'A' – Men's 4x400 Relay
9:40 p.m.	Florida 'A' – Women's 4x400 Relay

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