Jamaica’s Habiba Harris capped off a breakout weekend with a brilliant performance at the SEC Outdoor Championships on Saturday, storming to victory in the 100m hurdles final in 12.75 seconds to secure her first conference title for the University of Florida.
Harris, who only joined Florida in January 2025, has been on a steep upward trajectory under the guidance of renowned coach Mike Holloway, and her form throughout the meet reflected that progress. She set a massive personal best of 12.62 seconds in Friday’s preliminary round, building on steady improvements throughout the season. After arriving in Gainesville with a lifetime best of 12.95 from the Jamaica Carifta Trials in March 2024, she lowered her PB to 12.85 at the Florida Relays in early April and also recorded a slightly wind-aided 12.69 (2.1 m/s) at that same meet.
Speaking with Sportsmax.TV after her win, the 19-year-old freshman credited her rapid improvement to a mix of recovery, environment, and mentorship.
“Daily treatments, team spirit and listening intently to my coach,” Harris said when asked to explain the secret behind her swift development. “It’s really been a great environment to grow. My trainers are very attentive and very in tune with my body and that adds so much to the culture of the team because I’m in a programme that is really working for me.
“Where team spirit is concerned, everyone is so supportive and motivating each other. We push each other and that makes us better.”
Her 12.62 in the heats was the fastest time of all competitors and a personal milestone that didn’t catch her entirely by surprise. “Yes it was [on the cards], especially for my coach because I really have been working hard and I’m so happy and grateful that it’s paying off,” she said with a smile.
In the final, Harris didn’t quite match her prelims time, but her 12.75 was enough to hold off Auburn’s Ana-Liese Torian (12.92 PB) and Texas A&M’s Jaiya Covington (12.93), completing a dominant display. While she admitted she had hoped to go even faster, Harris was far from disappointed.
“Maybe a little bit, but I’m very grateful for the time and I just gotta go back to the drawing board and work on some things with my coach,” she said.
Under the watchful eye of Coach Mike Holloway, who also mentors world and Olympic champion Grant Holloway, Harris has found herself in one of the most elite hurdle training environments in the world.
“It feels like an honour and a big opportunity and I’m just looking to make the best out of it,” she said. “We have a really good relationship and I think I would trust him regardless, seeing as he has my best intentions at heart—but that definitely signifies that he’s the best at what he does, and he’ll make anyone he wants to great.”
When asked where she’s improved most since joining Florida, Harris was clear and confident: “Definitely my technique mostly and sprint mechanics, but I have also improved greatly in speed.”
With her first SEC title secured and momentum on her side, Habiba Harris looks set to be one of Jamaica’s brightest young prospects on the road to the NCAA Championships and beyond.