Coach Mike Holloway had a goal for Saturday’s Tom Jones Memorial Classic: honor Coach Jones by competing at a high level. And after a record-breaking win in the 4x100 meter relay, it would seem that Jeff Demps, Tony McQuay, Leonardo Seymore and Dedric Dukes accomplished that goal.
However, Holloway still expects better.
“I wasn’t as pleased with the 4x100 as everyone thinks I was,” Holloway said. “We ran a very good time, don’t get me wrong, and I was pleased with the outcome, but we could’ve prepared better.
On Tuesday, the four earned Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Week honors for their performance on Saturday.
They had a time of 38.67, which is currently the second-fastest collegiate time in the country this season just behind Auburn. Despite the improvement from the 38.91 they clocked during their prior performance at the Florida Relays, it isn’t significant enough for Holloway.
“I didn’t think that group was as focused as they could be,” Holloway said. “Our goal is to be the best team in the country by the end of the year, and if we’re going to be that team, we’ve got to do a better job of moving the stick through the zone.”
The men currently have the eighth-fastest time in the world, trailing the world-leading Racers Track Club of Jamaica by .85 of a second. Florida also has only two US teams ahead of them.
But Holloway sees an opportunity for the men to improve their time.
“We definitely left some time out there as far as exchanges go, but that’s my fault. I coach relays so I told the guys I’ll take the blame this time, but next time we’re going to have to do better,” Holloway said.
Considering the team is composed of the second-fastest 100 meter runner and the sixth-fastest 400 meter runner in the country, becoming the top 4x100 relay team in the US isn’t that far out of reach.
In order to accomplish that, Demps, McQuay, Seymore and Dedric will have to shave .38 off last week’s finish to put them ahead of Auburn. This weekend at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, the men will have another chance to improve as postseason nears.
“As we move forward to the Drake Relays this weekend, as always, our goal is to get better,” Holloway said. “We’re looking forward to getting better, looking forward to building upon the success and momentum we’ve created so far this season.”
