The second-ranked UF track and field team started its run to a Southeastern Conference Championship Indoor title on the first day of the three-day meet.
On Day 1 of competition in College Station, Texas, two Gators got their team started to a smooth start with Lorraine Graham and Brittany Harrell competing in the pentathlon.
Harrell and Graham guided Florida to a third-place finish through Day 1, earning the Gators five points.
UF sits in third place — behind first-day leader Georgia, which has 15 points, and Mississippi State, which has accrued 10.
To highlight the women’s team day, Harrell claimed first place in the Pent women’s 800m run with a time of 2:16.23.
With that mark, Harrell eclipsed her career-best 800m run to close out opening day competition with a new school record.
Harrell would finish fourth overall in the pentathlon standings racking up five points for the Gators, and placing the women’s team in third place to start the SECs.
Coach Mike Holloway said the team was extremely proud of Harrell as she came out and displayed a lot of pride and passion to break a school record and finish fourth.
After suffering a knee injury and undergoing surgery last year, Harrell progressed her way to the SEC Indoors this season and topped her 4,118 points from 2012 nationals to 4,137 points to commence SECs.
To add to her record-breaking performance, she notched a personal-best record in the long jump (6.04m) to finish in second place.
The junior has now finished fourth in the pentathlon twice in her collegiate career at SEC Indoors.
Accompanying Harrell during the opening day of competition was Graham, who matched a career-high in the high jump with a 1.60-meter jump.
Graham coasted to a third-place finish in the women’s 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.53 seconds, which is the third-fastest for the Gators in its indoor season.
The senior marked her first time competing this season in the 60m hurdle, high jump, shot put and 800m, which also was her first pentathlon of the year.
The Gators will return to action in Day 2 of the 2014 SEC Indoors as the men’s team will get in the mix with field and running events.
Follow Lawrence Laguna on Twitter @LagunaLawrence
