The UF men’s and women’s track and field teams return to Orlando this weekend for the UCF Invitational. After several younger members of the team competed at UCF last weekend, many of the participants from the NCAA Indoor Championships will compete for the first time in the outdoor season.
The Gators will use this early-season meet to transition from the indoor season. Sophomore jumper and sprinter Christian Taylor said the biggest difference between the two seasons is the impact from weather conditions. Jumpers in particular have to adjust to wind and it affects how they approach each jump.
“Some people may not like it but I like the extra variable,” Taylor said. “It keeps track interesting.”
Taylor, the defending national indoor champion in the triple jump, will focus on sprint and relay events this weekend in preparation for the Florida Relays at UF on April 2-3.
The men's sprinters were one of the Gator’s biggest strengths from their national championship team, and they should be stronger in the outdoor season.
“I feel we have the best sprinter group in America,” junior Terrell Wilks said.
This weekend, Florida will race in the 4x100 and 4x200-meter relays, which are only run in during the outdoor season. Wilks, a member of last year’s NCAA champion 4x100 squad, said the relays are a source of pride for the Gators.
“That comes with being great and expectations come with being great,” Wilks said. “That shows respect and there’s nothing better than being respected.”
UF’s sprinters, including Wilks and defending national indoor 60-meter champion Jeff Demps, will use this weekend’s meet to adjust to the 100-meter dash. Wilks said the longer distance allows slightly more room for error and isn’t as predicated on establishing an early rhythm like in the 60.
The outdoor track, twice as long as an indoor one, also creates changes in the approach to the 200-meter dash. The race now encompasses half of a lap around the track instead of an entire lap.
Florida also adds fifth-year senior sprinters R.J. Anderson and Carlos Phillips to the outdoor roster after both had run out of eligibility for the indoor season. They have combined for 22 event victories and four All-American honors over their careers.
The lineup for the outdoor field event is similar to indoor events except for the substitution of hammer throw for weight throw and the additions of discuss and javelin. Florida features a strong group of javelin throwers including two-time All-American senior Evelien Dekkers on the women’s side and two-time All-American Adam Montague for the men. Javelin gives the Gators another event where they will be a threat to score team points in during the SEC and NCAA Championship meets.
