Even though Florida’s track and field athletes only needed to crack
the top-12 in each event to advance from the NCAA East Preliminary
Rounds, UF coach Mike Holloway didn’t let the Gators run on cruise
control.
“You can’t coast, you get yourself in trouble trying to be cute
this time of year,” he said.
With 26 slots filled for the NCAA finals in 10 days, Florida not
only secured a throng of potential scorers to send to Des Moines,
Iowa, it also sent a message with how it qualified.
Over the three days in Bloomington, Ind., the Gators had the top
time or distance in seven events.
“We
preach being ready at this time of year, the championship time of
year, and so that’s what we’re doing now,” Holloway said. “It’s not
a surprise to anyone in this program or anybody associated with the
program or knows us well. This is the time of the year that we look
to excel.”
Of
the 11 athletes who advanced off the No. 2 men’s team, five also
qualified with the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relay teams on
Saturday.
Comprised of Eddie Lovett, Christian Taylor, Jeff Demps and Terrell
Wilks the 4x100 squad closed its weekend with the second-fastest
time in the region of 39.52.
After qualifying in the relay and 100m dash, Wilks, a senior,
stretched for one more finals berth with a 12th place result in the
200m.
“The big thing is it’s about getting to the next meet, and to be in
the top 12 to be in the NCAA finals and having a chance to score,”
Holloway said. “We’ve got that done now, and now we can go and
start to rest up and get mentally recharged.”
Individually, junior distance runner Dumisane Hlaselo rebounded
from missing the Southeastern Conference Championships two weeks
ago to qualify for the 1,500 meter run in fourth place, while
hurdler Eddie Lovett finished likewise in the 110m hurdles.
The
No. 19 women’s team also closed the weekend strong with both of its
relay teams making the cut. The 4x400m relay team darted to its
fastest time of the season in its final qualifying run of
44.70.
Freshman Cory McGee continued to shine in distance events with a
runner-up finish of 4:26.53 in the 1,500m. Darshay Davis sprinted
her way to a 10th place result in the 200m dash.
After competing in three meets in May, the Gators will get less
than two weeks to recover and rest for the NCAA Outdoor
Championships from June 8-11 at Drake Stadium.
