Valby's Progression, Evident In 3,000 PR And DMR Anchor At Kentucky, Bolsters One Of Country's Most Talented Teams

By Todd Grasley of DyeStat

The University of Florida women are on track to potentially win their first NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championship this June at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., and the Gators also have the potential to secure their first indoor crown since 1992 behind a balanced lineup that includes recent Georgia transfers Anna Hall and Jasmine Moore, standout sprinters, and distance talents like Parker Valby. 

Valby, a 2020 graduate of East Lake High in Florida, didn’t let the lack of a senior season deter her. She jumped right into the Gator lineup and made an immediate impact finishing 27th at the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships with a 6-kilometer personal best of 19:50.3, the best performance by a Florida female competitor since 2009. 

“I took 10 days off completely after nationals,” Valby said. “My training went very well over winter and my recent workouts gave me the confidence that I could run a solid 3,000-meter time at Kentucky.”

Last week at the Rod McCravy Memorial Track & Field Meet, Valby won the event in 8:53.89, the No. 3 collegiate time in the country.

“Coach (Chris) Solinsky’s race plan for me was just to stay behind the pacer and try to run consistent 72-73 second 400s. The 3k was a good first race and I am excited for what is to come at SECs and for the rest of the indoor season.”

Valby’s success at the meet didn’t stop there. She anchored Florida’s first-place distance medley relay. It was a thrilling last leg with the Gators and host Kentucky going stride for stride on the Wildcats' home track.

The quartet of Imogen Barrett, Caitlan Tate, Vasileiya Spyrou and Valby ran a time of 11:00.92, which is also the No. 3 time in the country this season. 

“The DMR victory was awesome to be a part of,” Valby said. “I am super excited for what is to come for our DMR in the future.”

Coach Mike Holloway’s Gator women are currently No. 1 in the USTFCCCA national rankings and don’t show signs of slowing down any time soon.

“Our team dynamic is great,” Valby said. “Everyone supports each other even though we are all in completely different events. In the end, we all share the same goals.”

Sky's The Limit

As a high school junior Valby, won the 3,200 meters state title and set the FHSAA record in the process with her time of 10:10.45, a record that would later be broken by Stanford signee Caroline Wells. COVID cut her senior season short and delayed her first collegiate cross country season from the fall to the spring.

Her high school coach Britt Taylor credits Solinsky and the rest of the Gator coaching staff for taking her to the next level. He knew despite her success in high school she was still just scratching the surface of her potential and that when she got to Gainesville she was going to flourish.

“It took her a full year to adjust to college, the spike in mileage and just the fact that she was living on her own,” Taylor said. “She had a few small injuries during her freshman year so it was a blessing she was able to redshirt and really just adjust. The girl can accomplish anything she puts her mind to whether it be in the classroom or on the track, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”