Thomas Mardal wins National Championship in Weight Throw
By Ryan Kately
Florida Gators’ Thomas Mardal followed his SEC Championship crown two weeks ago in the weight throw with an NCAA Championship. The event took place at the University of Arkansas. Mardal’s first throw of 80 feet 3.75 inches on Thursday was the top mark by over 2 feet, beating Arizona junior Israel Oloyede.
The throw also improved his school record in which he obtained at this year’s SEC Indoor Championships. But the historic performance was not done yet after the first throw. In his second attempt, Mardal had another unbelievable throw of 80 feet 1 inch making him the first thrower in NCAA Championship history to have two throws of over 80 feet in the same meet.
In fact, two throws of over 80 feet in the same meet has only happened one other time ever. That might be even more astounding than actually winning the national title.
Mardal, a Norwegian native, hit his career-best throw at the most opportune time, making him an NCAA champion.
At last week’s Indoor SEC Championships, Mardal took the crown with a throw of 75 feet 1.25 inches. That throw landed him with the 5th furthest throw in NCAA history. His throw at the NCAA Indoor Championships has now placed him at the number 3 spot all-time in NCAA history.
In other Track and Field news, Sterling Lester got the women’s side off to a hot start as well, racking up 4,213 points in the pentathlon to finish in 5th place in the nation.
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Other Florida Gators’ athletes to keep an eye on this weekend starts with freshman Talitha Diggs who is seeded 2nd in the 400 meters. The freshman from Saucon Valley, Pennsylvania, has already made her mark in Gainsville and in the SEC as she won the 400m SEC Indoor Championship.
She now tries to put her mark throughout the nation and springboard into a good outdoor season.
Senior Taylor Manson will join her fellow Gator, Diggs, on the podium as she is seeded 4th in the 400 meter. Rounding out some high seeds on the girl’s side is number 3 seed Grace Stark in the 60-meter hurdles. The SEC bronze medalist women 4×400 team is seeded 5th.
Sophomore Joseph Faunbulleh is seeded 2nd in the 200 meters after finishing 2nd in the SEC Indoor Championships for the men. His time of 20.32 ranks him 2nd in school history.
Team-wise, the women looked for a high placement after a 2nd place finish in the conference two weeks ago. They look to keep the momentum going on the same track this weekend. They finished 5th at the conference championship for the men as they look to their sprinters to gain some points for them at NCAAs.