DeFrand sets second consecutive meet records

Special to the Outlook

After watching Dajaz DeFrand’s performance at the Lenny Lyles Invitational, it’s safe to say that lightning could indeed strike twice in the same place. 

DeFrand set a record with her time in the 200-meter-dash on the opening day of the meet, then concluded last Saturday by rewriting the record in the women’s 60-meter-dash with a time of 7.20, the third-fastest time for a FSU female runner. Her time of 23.24 in the 200 is a personal best and a meet record, which put her in ACC leads. The time also ranks her sixth nationally.

The meet was one of three that the Seminoles competed in last weekend.

Shenese Walker followed behind DeFrand in third in the 60-meter race, establishing her personal best at 7.23, with the seventh-fastest time in school history. Liana Tyson followed in fifth place, earning a personal best of 7.35. 

DeFrand, Walker, Tyson have recorded the three fastest times in the ACC this season.

Kaniya Johnson finished behind Tyson in seventh place, notching a personal best of 7.46. 

“Really pleased with the group today,” said associate head coach Matt Kane. “It was nice to see all four in the 60-meter-dash final. They train hard together every day, and it was great to see them all get a chance to shine together.”

Alexandra Webster placed first and secured a new meet record in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.19. 

“Alexandra is getting very consistent at her personal best, which means something big is about to happen,” said Kane. “I’m glad she was able to come away with a meet record and the win.” 

Kone school record holder improves his season best to 6.62, which is just outside the all-time top 10. His time currently sits first in the ACC. 

Neo Mosebi followed behind Kone, securing his personal best at 6.69 and is now tied for fifth alongside Jeremiah Davis in the ACC. 

Davis was the winner in the triple jump at 16.25m. His mark is ranked second in the ACC. Kyvon Tatham followed Davis, reaching second place at 15.69 meters and is ranked third in the ACC. 

Jayden Louis-Charles placed fifth, earning his best mark of the season at 15.48. Kayla Pinkard placed third in the women’s triple jump, earning a new season best at 12.62 meters. Victoria Jossee followed behind Pinkard in third with a mark of 12.62.

Meanwhile, at the John Thomas Terrier Classic on Saturday in Boston, Suus Alotf placed 12th in the women’s mile run, establishing a personal best when she turned in the seventh-fastest time in school history at 4:35.79.

Zach Cloud placed 13th in the men’s 5,000-meter run to set a personal best time of 13:55.35. He currently sits eighth in the ACC and is now the fifth-fastest in school history.

Matthew Neil placed 19th for a personal best at 14:04.84. His time is now the ninth-fastest by a Seminole. 

Martin Prodanov, British Wilkerson, Anthony Herrera and David Mullarkey finished in first place in the men’s distance medley relay with a time at 9:36.76. That is now the second-fastest in school history.

“I’m really excited for the guys,” said FSU track and field head coach Bob Braman. “They are second all-time in school history. We had veterans on the leadoff and anchor, with a freshman sandwich in between. Everyone did their job and David Mullarkey anchored with a sub-4 mile.” 

Former FSU standout, Adriaan Wildschutt set the world lead, South African record and ran an Olympic standard time at 12:56.76 in the men’s 5,000-meter run.

“It was truly a treat to see Adriaan win,” Braman said. “His time is a world leader and an Olympic standard. The Noles were going crazy for him in the last two laps. It’s always great to see our alums at the highest level on the world stage.” 

The next outing for the FSU track team is on Feb. 9-10 at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina.