The man, the myth, the hammer throw legend.
Thomas Mardal outthrew the competition in Eugene, Oregon, Wednesday and released a 76.74 meter (251-9) hurl on his second throw to become the national hammer throw champion. The mark is not only a new personal best for the senior, but it’s the third time this season he has broken the Florida men’s hammer throw record.
On top of that, Mardal is now the sixth-best performer in NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships history, according to USTFCCCA.
The Gators added four entries to Friday’s finals.
Joseph Fahnbulleh will race in both the men’s 100 meter and 200 meter finals. The redshirt freshman secured the seventh qualifying spot in the 100 with a 10.21 second time, a new personal best. The “FahnBULLET” led the masses in the 200 to cross the finish line with a semifinal-best 20.05.
Ryan Willie landed the seventh semifinal spot in the men’s 400. The freshman finished with a 45.73 time, about a half of a second off the top time of 45.24 run by Randolph Ross from North Carolina A&T.
The men’s 4x400 relay landed another lucky No. 7 spot. Willie, Chantz Sawyers, Denzel Villaman and Kunle Fasasi ran a 3:04.74 to qualify for the relay’s final.
The women’s events begin Thursday. Coverage begins with the following eastern broadcast times and streams:
Contact Kaitlyn Wadulack at kwadulack@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @kwadulack
