Gators Post Podium Finishes and Personal Bests in Strong Outdoor Season Debut

Friday, March 27

Tallahassee, Fla.

Florida Gators

Terry Long FSU Relays

Gators Post Podium Finishes and Personal Bests in Strong Outdoor Season Debut

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | Track and Field

Trenton Howard nabs two personal bests in Tallahassee; Hilda Olemomoi takes 10000m crown in Raleigh

By: Maleah Morales

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gators Track and Field opened their 2026 outdoor slate with an impressive showing that featured nine Gators setting new personal bests, with eight additions to the program's all-time top-ten lists.

Across Tallahassee and Raleigh, N.C., 13 athletes made their outdoor debut in the Orange and Blue.

TERRY LONG FSU RELAYS
Throws
The Gators swept the men's javelin podium, where Leikel Cabrera Gay, Ayden Campbell and Aidan Broussard each settled into the top three.

Newcomer Campbell made his presence known amongst the competition, launching a 65.05m (213'5") on his first throw in the NCAA. Cabrera Gay, the 2025 NCAA runner-up in the event, took the lead with a 75.50m (247'8") throw, moving more than 30 feet ahead.

Akari Isaac kicked off her senior campaign in the discus throw with a personal best of 56.23m (184'5") on her first throw of the season. The Tampa native's first place finish marks a career-best placement at the Terry Long FSU Relays. Gracelyn Leiseth followed Issac, finishing second with a 56.23m (182'11") mark.

Sprints/Hurdles
Jaden Wiley and Trenton Howard each nabbed two podium placements in the 100m and 200m, where Wiley placed second and Howard finished close behind in third for both races. Howard's efforts earned him two new personal bests in each event, improving his 100m time by 0.27 seconds and his 200m time by 0.47 seconds.

In her outdoor debut, Payton Payne found herself with a first place mark for the Gators in the 100m, sprinting to an 11.54 finish for a 0.06 edge on the competition.

Junior Jade Brown, who joined the Gators earlier this season, quickly made her presence known with a 23.35 200m performance taking the crown for her first outdoor competition in Orange and Blue.

RALEIGH RELAYS
Three Gator women finished strong at the Raleigh Relays, as Tia Wilson, Hilda Olemomoi and Judy Chepkoech each etched program top-five marks in their respective events.

Wilson's sixth place finish in the 5000m contributed to a lifetime best for the senior, where she clocked in at 15:44.07 to find herself at No. 5 on the program's all-time list.

Olemomoi won the 10,000m with a personal best 32:03.59, edging teammate Chepkoech by 0.02 seconds. The pair led the field from the front and finished nearly three seconds ahead of the third-place runner. Olemomoi now sits at No. 2 all-time, with Chepkoech following at No. 3.

RESULTS

TERRY LONG FSU RELAYS
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Event	Athlete Results
Javelin Throw (M)	1. Leikel Cabrera Gay: 75.50m (247'8") 2. Ayden Campbell: 65.05m (213'5") 3. Aidan Broussard: 62.19m (204'0")
Discus Throw (W)	1. Akari Isaac: 56.23m (184'5") (PB)^ 2. Gracelyn Leiseth: 55.76m (182'11")
100mH (W)	4. Pauline Bikembo: 14.17 5. Aleesa Samuel: 14.36 8. Abigail Elmore: 15.46
100m (W)	1. Payton Payne: 11.54
100m (M)	2. Jaden Wiley: 10.25 3. Trenton Howard: 10.30 (PB) 4. Almond Small:10.39
400m (M)	2. Ja'Neil Harris: 47.76 3. Gavin Nelson: 48.17
800m (W)	12. Marianna Wright: 2:17.90
800m (M)	9. Alejandro de Bastos: 1:54.78
200m (W)	1. Jade Brown: 23.35
200m (M)	2. Jaden Wiley: 20.68 3. Trenton Howard: 20.86 (PB) 6. Almond Small: 21.26
4x400m (W)	2. Wright, Payne, Bikembo, Elmore: 3:47.81
4x400m (M)	4. Wright, Nelson, de Bastos, Harris: 3:16.21

RALEIGH RELAYS
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Event	Athlete Results
5000m (W)	6. Tia Wilson: 15:44.07 (PB)^
10,000m (W)	1. Hilda Olemomoi: 32:03.59 (PB)^ 2. Judy Chepkoech: 32:04.01 ^

(PB) indicates new personal best mark
^ indicates new program top-10 mark

UP NEXT

The Gators will host the Pepsi Florida Relays from April 3-4, welcoming both high school and collegiate competitors to the Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium.

TICKETS
Tickets are now on sale for the first of Florida's two Track and Field home meets, the 2026 Pepsi Florida Relays on Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4. Tickets can be purchased in advance here, or purchased at the Ticket Office on the days of the event. All tickets are general admission.

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