FSU Freshman Wray Wins Gold at ACC Track Championships

A freshman stepped into the spotlight at the ACC Track and Field Championships, proving that sometimes the best is yet to come.

Despiro Wray made Florida State history Friday in Louisville, becoming just the second freshman ever to win the men's shotput title at the conference championships. His winning throw of 18.58 meters marked a personal best and now stands as the sixth-furthest throw in FSU program history.

The victory carried extra significance for the Seminoles. Wray became the first Florida State athlete to claim shotput gold since 2018, ending an eight-year drought in the event.

His teammate Nafy Thiam joined the medal celebration, earning bronze in her first-ever ACC Outdoor Championship in the women's shotput with a mark of 17.07 meters. The throwing squad gave Florida State a strong foundation heading into the final day of competition.

The Seminoles didn't stop there. Defending champion Andre Korbmacher ran the second-fastest qualifying time in the 110-meter hurdles at 13.40 seconds, a mark that keeps him fifth all-time in FSU history. His teammate Zach Extine joined him in Saturday's final with a third-place qualifying finish.

Curtis Williams grabbed third place in the long jump with a leap of 7.77 meters, adding six more points to the men's team total. Kaden Levings climbed to fourth all-time in FSU history books with a personal best in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing fifth despite entering as the eighth seed.

The sprint squads delivered strong performances across the board. Neo Mosebi posted the fastest qualifying time in the men's 100 meters at 9.96 seconds, while Shenese Walker topped the women's 100-meter prelims at 11.02 seconds.

The Ripple Effect

When one athlete breaks through, it lifts everyone around them. Wray's gold medal performance and personal record sparked a wave of strong finishes across the Seminoles roster, with nine athletes total advancing to Saturday's finals. His success as a freshman sends a powerful message to the younger athletes watching: your time can be now, not someday.

The men's team sits in fifth place with 24 points, while the women stand eighth with 20 points heading into the championship's final day. With nine qualified finalists and momentum building, the Seminoles have positioned themselves for a strong finish.

Saturday's finals begin with the men's discus at 2:00 p.m., giving Florida State multiple opportunities to add to their medal count and climb the team standings.