Florida Advances Six; Places Four on Podium on Day One of NCAA Championships

Friday, March 13

Fayetteville, Ark.

Florida Gators

NCAA Indoor Championships

Florida Advances Six; Places Four on Podium on Day One of NCAA Championships

Saturday, March 14, 2026 | Track and Field

Braun records the fourth fastest time in the world this year as Florida advances athletes across several events.

By: Maleah Morales

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Florida Gators wrapped up day one of the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Randal Tyson Center on Friday with an impressive showing, advancing six of their seven preliminary competitors to the championship finals in their respective events.

Florida also recorded three personal best performances on the day and secured podium finishes in three of the four championship events contested.

HIGHLIGHTS
Claire Stegall opened the day on a high note for the Gators, becoming Florida's first championship qualifier of the meet. The freshman from Nolensville, Tenn. clocked a 4:29.02 in the mile to finish fifth in her heat and advance to Saturday's final.

Justin Braun delivered one of the top performances of the preliminary round in the 400m, posting the fourth-fastest time in the world this year with a 44.77 to advance as the top overall qualifier. The mark ranks Braun ninth all-time in NCAA history and stands as the second fastest time in program history.

Freshman Jayden Horton-Mims will join Braun in the 400m championship race after recording the eighth fastest time of the preliminaries to secure his spot in the final.

On the women's side, Sydney Sutton continued her standout freshman campaign with a personal best 51.25 in the 400m to qualify for the final. Her time moves her up to No. 14 in the world rankings this season after previously sitting at No. 21.

Gabrielle Matthews also advanced to the women's 200m final, earning her place with a personal best qualifying time of 22.71.

In the field, Temoso Masikane placed sixth in the men's long jump with a leap of 8.04m (26'4.5") on his third attempt. The SEC Men's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year earned All-America honors with the performance and will return to the runway Saturday for the men's triple jump championship.

Four podium finishes put the Gators on the board, highlighted by a pair of top five performances in the women's 5000m from Hilda Olemomoi, who placed fourth, and Judy Chepkoech, who finished fifth. Florida also earned a fourth place finish in the women's distance medley relay and capped the day with Masikane's sixth place showing in the men's long jump.

STREAMING AND LIVE RESULTS
Live Results
Saturday (ESPN+) – 12:30 p.m. ET Broadcast 5 p.m. ET Broadcast

RESULTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 13
Event	Athlete Result
Mile Prelim (W)	5. Claire Stegall: 4:29.02 (q)
400m Prelim (W)	5. Sydney Sutton: 51.25 (q)(PB)^
400m Prelim (M)	1. Justin Braun: 44.77 (q)(PB)^ 8. Jayden Horton-Mims: 45.83 (q)
800m Prelim (M)	11. Miguel Pantojas: 1:47.62
Long Jump Final (M)	6. Temoso Masikane: 8.04m (26'4.5")
5000m Final (W)	4. Hilda Olemomoi: 15:14.51 5. Judy Chepkoech: 15:14.58
5000m Final (M)	11. Kelvin Cheruiyot: 13:51.11
200m Prelim (W)	4. Gabrielle Matthews: 22.71 (q)(PB)^
200m Prelim (M)	3. Wanya McCoy: 20.40 (q)
DMR Final (W)	4. Morley, Campbell, Haynes, Stegall: 10:50.21 ^

(PB) indicates new personal best
(q) indicates qualifying mark
^ indicates new top ten mark on school record

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