Florida Gators Star Jasmine Charlton Becomes Sixth-Fastest Woman in NCAA History During Day Two of Outdoor Championships

On the grand stage of collegiate track and field, where every stride counts and records are meant to be shattered, Florida’s Jasmine Charlton etched her name into the history books. On Day Two of the NCAA Outdoor Championships, the blazing-fast sprinter delivered a performance that left the crowd in awe and cemented her legacy among the sport’s elite. Charlton became the sixth-fastest woman in NCAA history, a feat that not only elevated her individual profile but also propelled the Florida Gators deeper into title contention.

Running with poise, power, and purpose, Charlton clocked an astonishing 10.88 seconds in the 100-meter semifinal, blowing past a stacked field and setting a personal and school record in the process. The time wasn’t just fast—it was historic. Only five women in NCAA history have ever run faster under collegiate banners. The run marked a defining moment not only for Charlton’s career but also for the Florida Gators’ women’s track and field program, already rich with tradition.

Charlton’s explosion out of the blocks was textbook. In the opening few meters, she matched stride-for-stride with her competitors, but as she hit the halfway mark, she separated from the pack with jaw-dropping acceleration. Her top-end speed and mechanics were flawless. As she crossed the finish line, the Hayward Field clock blinked the number: 10.88. The stadium erupted, fans knowing they had just witnessed something truly special.

For head coach Mike Holloway, it was a moment of both pride and validation. “Jasmine is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” he said moments after the race. “She’s relentless in her training, laser-focused on her goals, and always ready to compete at the highest level. What she did out there tonight is the result of years of discipline and belief in her potential.”

Charlton’s jaw-dropping performance is all the more significant considering the company she now keeps. The list of NCAA’s all-time fastest women includes Olympic medalists, world champions, and icons of the sport. To crack into the top six is not just a career milestone—it’s a statement. And Charlton made hers with authority.

The magnitude of the moment wasn’t lost on Charlton herself, who took a brief moment to soak it in before addressing the media. “I’ve dreamed about moments like this since I was a little girl watching the Olympics on TV,” she said, her voice steady but emotional. “To know that I’m now one of the fastest women in collegiate history—it’s surreal. But I’m not done yet. There’s still work to do.”

Indeed, her semifinal performance now sets the stage for what could be a historic final. Expectations will be sky-high, but Charlton has shown time and time again that she thrives under pressure. With one more chance to run, she’ll not only chase a national title but potentially flirt with a collegiate record that has stood tall for years.

Beyond the individual success, Charlton’s performance gave the Gators a significant boost in the team standings. Florida entered the NCAA Outdoor Championships with high hopes of competing for the team crown, and every point counts. Charlton’s qualification for the final not only puts her in medal position but could provide a pivotal swing in the title race.

Coach Holloway emphasized the broader impact of her run. “This is what championships are made of—athletes stepping up when it matters most. Jasmine didn’t just advance, she sent a message. And that message resonates throughout our locker room. This team feeds off energy like that.”

Charlton’s journey to this moment has been one of steady progress and quiet determination. Recruited out of high school with raw talent and untapped potential, she has developed into one of the most polished and explosive sprinters in the nation. Her trajectory has been upward ever since she set foot on campus, and the 2025 outdoor season has seen her peak at exactly the right time.

She opened the year with strong showings at the SEC Championships and steadily improved as the season progressed, shaving time off her personal best in almost every meet. But nobody could have predicted just how fast she would go in Eugene. Now, with the eyes of the track world squarely on her, Charlton stands just one race away from ultimate collegiate glory.

Her teammates were visibly energized by her achievement. “She lit a fire under all of us,” said fellow sprinter Kiara Young. “To see her run like that, to see the work she’s put in pay off—it inspires you to bring your best too. We’re not just here to participate. We’re here to dominate.”

The ripple effect of Charlton’s performance was also felt across social media, where her name quickly trended among NCAA track fans and professionals alike. Track and field legends took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate her, with former Olympians praising her form and future potential. ESPN and NCAA digital platforms ran highlights and in-depth breakdowns of the race, while commentators dubbed it the performance of the day.

While the NCAA record still stands above her at 10.75 seconds—set by LSU’s Sha’Carri Richardson in 2019—Charlton has made it clear she’s not just satisfied with being sixth. “Records are meant to be broken,” she said. “Sha’Carri is someone I’ve always looked up to. But I believe I can get there too. That’s the mindset you have to have.”

Charlton’s blend of humility and hunger is what separates her from so many elite athletes. She remains grounded in her work ethic, constantly striving to be better, even in the face of great accomplishment. The final may be the next hurdle, but Charlton’s long-term goals stretch far beyond the NCAA. With Paris 2024 in the rearview, many are already speculating about her potential Olympic future in 2028. If she continues this upward arc, she’ll undoubtedly be a name on everyone’s radar.

But before international glory comes collegiate conquest. The final awaits, and Charlton will face stiff competition from rivals from LSU, Texas, and Oregon, all eager to make their own mark. Still, she enters the final as the favorite—not just because of her time, but because of her confidence, momentum, and unwavering belief in herself.

As the Gators push through the final days of the NCAA Outdoor Championships, they know they have a weapon unlike any other in Charlton. Whether she walks away with gold or not, her performance has already made history and will be remembered as one of the defining moments of this year’s championship.

Charlton’s name is now etched alongside some of the greatest women ever to compete at the NCAA level. And as she takes her mark for the next race, all eyes will be on the woman in the orange and blue, the sixth-fastest in history, ready to run her way into legend once again.