Photo by MJ Holloway
Mills, Ozkara Qualify for Semifinals at World Athletics U20 Championships
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | Track and Field
EUGENE, Ore. – A pair of incoming Florida track & field athletes made their debuts at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships on Wednesday, with both advancing to the semifinal round of their respective events.
Getting competition started for the Florida contingent, Imani Mills took the track in heat four of the women's 100-meter dash. Lined up in lane three, the Trinidad and Tobago native was off the blocks quickly en route to a fourth-place finish in 11.57 (+1.2). Her fourth-place finish put her just outside an automatic qualifier slot, but her time gave her one of three time qualifiers for the semifinal round later in the evening. She ended-up placing eighth in the first section of the semifinal with a time of 11.67 (-0.2).
The last event of the afternoon session featured a dramatic ending for incoming Gator Zeynep Ozkara. Running out of lane eight in the first heat of the women's 800-meter run, Ozkara sat near the back of the pack heading into the final turn. She then used a major kick over the last 200 meters to cross the line third in her heat at 2:10.11, good enough for an automatic spot in the semifinal, which is set for Friday, Aug. 7, at 9:05 p.m. ET.
Action at the U20 World Championships will resume on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET for the Orange & Blue, as Mohammed El Moussalit and Claire Stegall will begin their journeys in the opening rounds of the 1500-meter runs.
DAY ONE RESULTS
Women's 100m First Round
21. Imani Mills - 11.57 (+1.2)
Women's 100m Semifinal
24. Imani Mills - 11.67 (-0.2)
Women's 800m First Round
21. Zeynep Ozkara - 2:10.11
Getting competition started for the Florida contingent, Imani Mills took the track in heat four of the women's 100-meter dash. Lined up in lane three, the Trinidad and Tobago native was off the blocks quickly en route to a fourth-place finish in 11.57 (+1.2). Her fourth-place finish put her just outside an automatic qualifier slot, but her time gave her one of three time qualifiers for the semifinal round later in the evening. She ended-up placing eighth in the first section of the semifinal with a time of 11.67 (-0.2).
The last event of the afternoon session featured a dramatic ending for incoming Gator Zeynep Ozkara. Running out of lane eight in the first heat of the women's 800-meter run, Ozkara sat near the back of the pack heading into the final turn. She then used a major kick over the last 200 meters to cross the line third in her heat at 2:10.11, good enough for an automatic spot in the semifinal, which is set for Friday, Aug. 7, at 9:05 p.m. ET.
Action at the U20 World Championships will resume on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET for the Orange & Blue, as Mohammed El Moussalit and Claire Stegall will begin their journeys in the opening rounds of the 1500-meter runs.
DAY ONE RESULTS
Women's 100m First Round
21. Imani Mills - 11.57 (+1.2)
Women's 100m Semifinal
24. Imani Mills - 11.67 (-0.2)
Women's 800m First Round
21. Zeynep Ozkara - 2:10.11
Players Mentioned
FR/FR | Distance
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