ATLANTA, Ga. - The North Florida track and field team had an outstanding first day at the Georgia Tech Invitational after taking first-place finishes in both the 1500m and 5000m.

Aidan O'Gorman earned the first collegiate win of his track career among a tough field of Power Five athletes in the 5000m race. Timothy Doyle followed that up with his top finish as well in the 1500m for his fastest time of the season.

The Ospreys didn't stop there on Friday night, as they had four other athletes place within the top five of their respective races. Gavin O'Brien and Mia McLain both had top-three finishes in the 3000mS race, while Nathan Jubran and Camryn Cooney finished fifth in the 5000m and 3000mS races.

ON THE TRACK

Men's Races

• O'Gorman shared the best finish of the night for the Ospreys with his first collegiate win after running a time of 14:14.85 in the 5000m race among a field of 84 athletes from multiple Power Five programs.
• Jubran ran a great time just behind O'Gorman at 14:26.50 that got him fifth place in the 5000m.
• Doyle ran an excellent race with his fastest 1500m time of the season at 3:44.62 to bring home another first-place finish for UNF against another strong field.
• Aiden Arnold and Robert Pedroza ran fast times as well inside the top 20 runners with times of 3:48.43 and 3:49.72 respectively.
• O'Brien placed second in the 3000m steeplechase after recording a time of 9:08.13 to notch his best time and second two-top finish of the season.
• Onix Ortiz Vazquez finished just inside the top 10 in eighth place at 9:32.86 in the 3000mS, while Simon DeVoss was 13th with a time of 9:39.08.

Women's Races

• McLain has another top-three finish in the 3000m steeplechase clocking in at 11:14.05, while Cooney paced fifth with a time of 11:43.74.
• Erica Fisher turned in an impressive top-20 finish in the 5000m race at 17:48.46, along with Raquel Lespasio at 18:17.02 for 25th and Isa Leen at 18:49.76 for 40th.
• Emma Jane Schlageter led the group of five Ospreys that raced in the 1500m race with a time of 4:41.61 that gave her 38th place among a strong field.
• Leah Pelham and Hannah Martin finished together in the 1500m as well with each with times of 4:55.

PIGG'S THOUGHTS

"We picked up two big wins tonight. Tim [Doyle] ran a very smart and tactical race. He had a great last lap pulling away from the strong field. Aidan [O'Gorman] picked up his first college win running in front from the gun to win the 5000m race. He looked strong all race. In the late stages when it was tough, he was able to maintain a good pace and keep the lead. He did a great job going out fast and holding in for the win. Gavin [O'Brien] ran a big personal-best in the 3000m steeplechase. He hurdled well and raced really strong. He was confident and kept the fast pace. I am really proud of his effort.

Mia [McLain] had a nice steeplechase as well. After a mid-race fall in the water jump, she hit right back to her feet and stayed in the front. She competed very well and is primed for a sub 11:00 race the next time out."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg

NEXT UP

The UNF track and field teams will finish up their final day of competition at the Georgia Tech Invitational on Saturday afternoon starting at 12 pm. Events will include the high jump, as well as the 400m hurdles, 400m and 800m races.