The fastest sprint group in America brought its jets Friday at the NCAA East Preliminary Round in Greensboro, N.C.
Four of the fastest men’s sprinters in the country – Jeff Demps, Terrell Wilks, Calvin Smith and Tony McQuay – all advanced to Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Demps, who ran a season-best time of 10.06, and Wilks each qualified in the men’s 100-meter dash. A day after running his fastest 100 of the season, Wilks also advanced to Eugene in the 200-meter dash.
The All-American Smith placed second overall in the men’s 400-meter dash with a time of 45.06. McQuay finished 10th, but he too qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 400.
“I’m very, very pleased with our team’s effort and focus this weekend,” Florida head coach Mike Holloway said.
“This can be a difficult meet if you come in and don’t put your best foot forward right away. We have shown a very high level of intensity and focus this weekend. We’re qualifying well and giving ourselves a lot of opportunities for Eugene, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The fifth Gator to advance to Eugene was junior thrower Kemal Mesic who placed first in the men’s shot put. Florida now has 12 athletes that have advanced to the championships, which take place in early June.
Just like the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships, the East Regional has been marred with inclement weather. The meet was halted around 8:30 p.m. due to severe thunderstorms in the area. Both the men and women’s steeplechase events were not contested because of the weather.
The final day of the 2010 East Preliminary Round begins today 9:30 a.m.
