CLEMSON, S.C. — Sophomore hurdler Grant Holloway broke the collegiate record in the 60-meter hurdles, while another trio of Gators posted times and marks that rank in the top 10 nationally Friday night at Clemson’s Tiger Paw Invitational.
Holloway won the 60 hurdles in 7.42 seconds, breaking the collegiate record of 7.45 seconds held by Omar McLeod — who took second to Holloway in Friday night’s record-breaking race. McLeod last set the record at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships.
Holloway, 20, joins Cuba’s Dayron Robles as the only other man in history to run 7.42 seconds or faster prior to turning 21 years old (per records kept by alltime-athletics). Robles, who was also born in November, ran 7.39 seconds in February 2007, when he was 20 years old.
Lloydricia Cameron climbed to fourth on the indoor descending order list in the shot put with a winning throw of 17.46 meters (57 feet, 3.5 inches. KeAndre Bates won the long jump in 7.58 meters (24-10.5).
SOFTBALL
Gators open season in style
TAMPA — The No. 2 Florida softball team opened the season with a 9-0 win over Illinois State on Friday at the USF Softball Stadium.
Senior Aleshia Ocasio combined with sophomore Katie Chronister and junior Kelly Barnhill in the circle to hurl the program’s 23rd combined one-hitter.
Ocasio was in control against the Redbirds throughout her five innings of work. The 2016 NFCA All-American was perfect as she didn’t allow a single runner to reach base and went on to finish her night with eight strikeouts over 63 total pitches.
Offensively, Florida cranked out four doubles, two triples and a home run in route to the victory. Freshman Jordan Matthews provided the three-run home run.
The Gators return to action this morning with a pair of games against No. 18 Michigan (11 a.m.) and Georgia State (1:15 p.m.).
TENNIS
Florida posts 5-0 win
MADISON, Wis. — Less than 48 hours ago, Florida dropped a heartbreaking decision. On Friday evening, the Gators found a way to overcome that disappointment and posted an impressive 5-0 response against Wisconsin in the opening round of 2018 ITA National Indoor Team Championship held at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the University of Wisconsin campus.
The Badgers, who are playing host to the national four-day event and received an automatic berth into the 16-team field, entered Friday’s match with a 6-0 record and were off to their best start in more than 30 years.
Florida made quick work in doubles for a 1-0 lead in the team scoring.
On the singles court, senior Peggy Porter raced out and provided a 6-0, 6-0 victory for a 2-0 Florida lead.
Senior Josie Kuhlman, whose three-set match was the deciding outcome on Wednesday at Oklahoma State, was second off the court with a 6-2, 6-0 victory that gave Florida a 3-0 lead.
Freshmen Victoria Emma and McCartney Kessler were both playing match point on their respective courts and both finished within seconds to provide the fourth and fifth points and secure the Gator’s dual match sweep.
Florida plays top-ranked and No. 1-seed Vanderbilt in the round of eight at 4:30 p.m.
