Parker Valby
Parker Valby is an American track and field and cross-country athlete.[1]
Sport | |
---|---|
Sport | Athletics |
Event(s) | 5000m |
Achievements and titles | |
Personal best(s) | 3000m: 8:53.59 (Lexington, 2022) 5000m: 15:20.10 (Eugene, 2022) |
Early life
From Tampa, Florida, she attended East Lake High School.[2] She was a competitive swimmer before first running cross-country in 2016. When asked to try track and field as well, she was initially reluctant and it meant having to give up lacrosse.[3] Coached by Britt Taylor, she became the Florida state champion and the Florida state all-time record holder whilst still a junior.[4][5] However, she was unable to compete during her senior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Collegiate career
Valby Competes for the University of Florida. Her sophomore year she finished runner-up to Katelyn Tuohy in the 5000m at the NCAA Track and Field Championships by running a personal best of 15:20:10. This second place performance helped Florida win the team title.[7] [8]
The following fall, Valby once again finished runner-up to Tuohy but this time at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Oklahoma.[9] That spring, she won the 5000m at the 2023 NCAA Track and Field Championships in a time of helping Florida finish as team runner-ups.[10]
Valby started out her senior season strong by winning the Wisconsin Nuttycombe invite over rival Katelyn Tuohy in a course record time of 19:17.2.[11]
Sponsorship
In June 2023, Valby signed an endorsement agreement with sportswear brand Nike.[12] In doing so, she became the first female college track and field athlete to have a name, image, and likeness agreement with the company.[13]
References
- "Parker Valby". World Athletics. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- "Parker Valby". Florida Gators. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- Putnam, Bob (31 October 2018). "Once a reluctant runner, East Lake's Parker Valby now leads the pack". Tampabay.com. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- "Parker Valby Went from Inexperienced Runner to State Champ". baynews9.com. October 16, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- Grasley, Todd. "Parker Valby Runs State Record Girls 3,200m - Florida State Meet Recap 2019". Runnerspace.com. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- Lyden, Adair (April 26, 2020). "Open Letter From HS Coach To FL 3200m State Record Holder". fl.milesplit.com. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- Zatlin, Garrett (March 2, 2023). "Parker Valby to Medically Scratch Out of NCAA Championships, per FloTrack". The Stride Report.
- "Parker Valby Claims 5000m Victory At The NCAA Championship". Citiusmag.com. June 11, 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- Mack, Gordon (November 19, 2022). "Florida's Parker Valby Breaks Down Her Race Against Katelyn Tuohy". flottack.org. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- Johnson, Robert; Gault, Jonathan (June 11, 2023). "NCAA Women's Recap: Parker Valby (5000), Michaela Rose (800) & Olivia Markezich (Steeple) Earn First NCAA Titles". Lets Run. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- "Parker Valby Takes Down Katelyn Tuohy At Nuttycombe as NAU Women Dominate". LetsRun. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- Johnson, Robert (June 27, 2023). "Q & A With Parker Valby On Her Historic NIL Deal With Nike". Lets Run. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- Singh, Vaibhav (28 June 2023). "NCAA 5000m Champion Parker Valby Becomes the First Female Track and Field Athlete to Sign an NIL Deal With Nike". Essentially Sports. Retrieved 5 July 2023.