Seminoles Shine at NCAA Championships: Four Advance to Finals!

Eugene, Oregon, United States - The excitement is palpable as the No. 20 Florida State women’s outdoor track and field team kicks off the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the prestigious Hayward Field in Eugene. Their performance thus far has given fans plenty of reasons to cheer, with several Seminoles making significant strides toward championship glory.

Among the standout achievements, the women’s 4×100-meter relay team, featuring Lucy May Sleeman, Shenese Walker, Liana Tyson, and Joella Lloyd, placed an impressive fourth with a time of 42.93 seconds. This run not only secured them a spot in the finals but also marked the team’s first automatic qualifying time of the competition, setting the stage for further excitement to come. Shenese Walker shone in individual events too, finishing eighth in the 100 meters with a commendable 11.06 seconds, also advancing to the finals.

Historic Performance and Upcoming Events

Notably, Kaelyaah Liburd made history by qualifying for the 400 meters final with the ninth fastest overall time of 51.35 seconds, becoming the first FSU athlete to reach this event since 2015. Additionally, Tyra Wilson secured her place in the finals of the 400 hurdles, finishing eighth at 56.39 seconds, another first for FSU since that same year. These individual accomplishments are paving the way for a thrilling weekend at Eugene.

Also in action was Brooke Mullins, who achieved a personal best of 9:56.80 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, marking the fifth-fastest time in FSU history. Meanwhile, the women’s 4×400-meter relay team—composed of Alyia Green, Tyra Wilson, Kaelyaah Liburd, and Takiyah Ferguson—impressed with a tenth-place finish, recording a time of 3:30.14, which stands as the sixth-fastest in FSU’s record books.

The excitement continues with the schedule lined up for the next few days. Kyvon Tatham is set to compete in the men’s triple jump final on Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET, while several Seminole events take place on Saturday, including:

• 4x100m relay at 9:02 p.m.
• Triple jump (Kayla Pinkard) at 9:10 p.m.
• 100m (Shenese Walker) at 10:02 p.m.
• 400m (Kaelyaah Liburd) at 10:14 p.m.
• 4x400m relay at 10:21 p.m.
• 400m hurdles (Tyra Wilson) at 10:27 p.m.

The NCAA championships not only highlight the skill and hard work of these athletes but also reflect the competitive spirit visible throughout the outdoor track and field season. In particular, the first round of competition held at various locations, including Jacksonville, Florida, acted as a crucial qualifying platform (as noted by NCAA) for these talented athletes aiming to make their mark in Eugene. The dynamic performances this season, alongside remarkable individual runs like those of Arkansas’ Jordan Anthony and South Florida’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, have ensured that the competition is fierce and thrilling.

As the Seminoles gear up for the finals, the local community continues to rally behind them, excited to witness historic outcomes that could define the future of Florida State track and field.