Stegall won gold this June in Eugene at the USATF U20 Championships. // Photo by MJ Holloway
Four Gators to Take the Track at World Athletics U20 Championships
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 | Track and Field
The U20 Championships are slated to begin on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
EUGENE, Ore. – Four Florida track & field athletes, headlined by USA Track & Field gold medalist Claire Stegall, are poised to represent the Gators on the international stage at the World Athletics U20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., from Aug. 5-9.
Stegall, a three-time All-American for the Orange & Blue during her freshman campaign, advanced to the World Championships after taking gold in the 1500-meter run at the USATF U20 Championships in June with a school record time of 4:04.59. She will take the track on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 10:05 p.m. ET for the opening round of the 1500 meters.
Also competing on the world stage, incoming Gator Imani Mills will compete in both the women's 100- and 200-meter dashes. Mills claimed the Trinidad & Tobago U20 national title in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.46 (+1.4) and was the runner-up in the 100 meters at 11.44 (+0.9). The opening round of the 100 meters will take place at on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 1:54 p.m. ET, with the semifinal round to follow later in the day at 9:05 p.m. ET. The women's 200-meter dash first round is slated to take place on Friday, Aug. 7, at 3:25 p.m. ET, with the semifinal at 9:55 p.m. ET.
Joining Stegall in the mid-distance events, Zeynep Ozkara, who joins the Orange & Blue for the 2027 season, will compete in the women's 800-meter run. At the Turkish Championships in July, Ozkara claimed the national championship in the 800 meters, clocking a time of 2:02.04. The Eskisehir, Turkey, native will compete in the first round on Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. ET.
On the men's side, incoming Gator Mohammed El Moussalit qualified after winning the Arab U20 title this summer in the 1500-meter run with a time of 3:43.60. Representing Morocco, El Moussalit will line up just before Stegall on Thursday at 9:32 p.m. ET for the opening round of the event.
2026 World Athletics U20 Championships Schedule
Stegall, a three-time All-American for the Orange & Blue during her freshman campaign, advanced to the World Championships after taking gold in the 1500-meter run at the USATF U20 Championships in June with a school record time of 4:04.59. She will take the track on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 10:05 p.m. ET for the opening round of the 1500 meters.
Also competing on the world stage, incoming Gator Imani Mills will compete in both the women's 100- and 200-meter dashes. Mills claimed the Trinidad & Tobago U20 national title in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.46 (+1.4) and was the runner-up in the 100 meters at 11.44 (+0.9). The opening round of the 100 meters will take place at on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 1:54 p.m. ET, with the semifinal round to follow later in the day at 9:05 p.m. ET. The women's 200-meter dash first round is slated to take place on Friday, Aug. 7, at 3:25 p.m. ET, with the semifinal at 9:55 p.m. ET.
Joining Stegall in the mid-distance events, Zeynep Ozkara, who joins the Orange & Blue for the 2027 season, will compete in the women's 800-meter run. At the Turkish Championships in July, Ozkara claimed the national championship in the 800 meters, clocking a time of 2:02.04. The Eskisehir, Turkey, native will compete in the first round on Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. ET.
On the men's side, incoming Gator Mohammed El Moussalit qualified after winning the Arab U20 title this summer in the 1500-meter run with a time of 3:43.60. Representing Morocco, El Moussalit will line up just before Stegall on Thursday at 9:32 p.m. ET for the opening round of the event.
2026 World Athletics U20 Championships Schedule
| Athlete | Event | Date | Time |
| Imani Mills | Women's 100m First Round | Wednesday, Aug. 5 | 1:54 p.m. |
| Zeynep Ozkara | Women's 800m First Round | Wednesday, Aug. 5 | 4:15 p.m. ET |
| Mohammed El Moussalit | Men's 1500m First Round | Thursday, Aug. 6 | 9:32 p.m. ET |
| Claire Stegall | Women's 1500m First Round | Thursday, Aug. 6 | 10:05 p.m. ET |
| Imani Mills | Women's 200m First Round | Friday, Aug. 7 | 3:25 p.m. ET |
Players Mentioned
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