Friday, April 16
Gainesville, Fla.
All Day

University of Georgia

at

Tom Jones Memorial

Jessica Drop
Photo by: AlexdelaOsa

Track Teams Have Strong Start In Florida, Virginia

April 16, 2021 | Track & Field

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Georgia's contingent made strides in both the field and on the track to begin the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday.
 
In addition, senior Jessica Drop got into the national mix in the 5000 meters with a second-place finish at the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, Va., on Friday.
 
When Do The Dogs Start: While the Bulldogs' events are finished in Virginia, sophomore Mia Anderson and freshman Charlotte Williams will start the day for Georgia on the Gators' campus in the hammer throw at 10 a.m. ET.
 
Live Results: For live results of the Tom Jones Memorial, please visit: http://gado.gs/6u6
 
For results of the Virginia Challenge, please visit: http://gado.gs/6u4
 
The Lowdown: Senior Marie-Therese Obst strengthened her grip on the national lead in the javelin while sophomore Matthew Boling opened his career in the 200m with one of Georgia's fastest times in history.  Drop also returned to the familiar category of being one of the country's top 5000m runners at the Virginia Challenge.
 
Obst did just what she had done her first three meets of 2021, which was finish first with a dominant mark.  Obst, who is the national leader, worked up to a final javelin toss of 192 feet.
 
Making his collegiate outdoor debut in the 200m, Boling sped to a 20.43 for runner-up honors and shoot to No. 4 on the school's all-time top-10 list.  Boling's time puts him No. 10 on this year's NCAA list.
 
Approaching her 15:38 school record from 2018, Drop ran a 15:41.63 for second place in the 5000m to rocket into the country's top six for 2021 at the Virginia Challenge.
 
In addition in Charlottesville, junior Sam Bowers had a career best of 14:17.16 to take 32nd in the 5000m while senior Michael Hans was five spots behind Bowers with a personal record of 14:21.29.
 
Sophomore Caleb Cavanaugh was the second collegiate finisher (second overall) in the 400m hurdles with the 10th-best time in school history in Gainesville.  Cavanaugh completed his lap over the hurdles in 51.47.
 
In the men's javelin at Florida, junior Alejandro Collins worked up to a sixth and final toss of 185-7 to take second.
 
Graduate transfer Jonathan Tharaldsen started his shot put series with a mark of 62-3.75 and that ended up being his top throw for second place.
 
Also of note, sophomore Sara Bailey battled for a personal record of 17:01.23 for sixth place in the 5000m.  On the men's side, freshman Zachary Roe was third in the 5000m with a 14:54.92 while sophomore Tyler Fox was fifth (14:59.76).
 
How To Keep Up With The Dogs: Results and recaps from the Bulldogs' outdoor season will be found at georgiadogs.com.  News and updates from Georgia's track and field and cross country teams are always located on Twitter/Instagram at @UGATrack.