In relays, the anchor position is given to the fastest or most experienced competitor on a team.
Sophomore sprinter Arman Hall has earned that role in the 4x400-meter relay, holding the responsibility to make up ground on the race-leader or preserve the lead already secured by his teammates.
As the UF track and field team prepares for its second indoor meet of the season in Lexington, Ky., Hall is confident he and his team will perform up to lofty standards set by previous squads.
“Being the anchor of the 4x4, people don’t really think that’s a lot of pressure,” Hall said. “But in reality, think about the race on the line, and you have to get a certain place to even win the race or whole conference or nationals.
“I’m happy that my team shows that they have a lot of confidence in me to anchor it in. Pretty much be the quarter horse.
“They know I’ll do what I have to do done. I’ll run to the last bit of my breath and run till my legs fall out.”
Hall was named the Southeastern Conference Men’s Runner of the Week on Jan. 14, running the anchor leg of Florida’s 4x400 relay at the UAB Invite on Jan. 10-11 that clocked the fastest time in the nation this season with a 3:06.11.
Hall also recorded a personal record of 20.80 in the men’s 200-meter at the UAB Invite, winning the event and logging the 10th-fastest 200m time in program history.
Hall said he has wanted to be an anchor since his freshman year in high school at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas High.
Coach Mike Holloway first approached Hall about the position and offered him the opportunity to be an anchor while Hall was still being recruited, and he wanted to prove to Holloway that he can trust him and not have to look for someone else to fill the role.
“You want somebody on the anchor that is not afraid, somebody that can either go get someone if they have to or someone that can hold the lead when you give it to them,” Holloway said.
“Arman is that guy. People look at him and think he’s only 19 years old or he was only 18 last year when he started anchoring.
“It has nothing to do with that. He’s a guy that believes he’s the best out there, so I have no problem putting him on my anchor.”
In addition to Hall, two other Gators earned SEC honors last week. Sophomore Robin Reynolds was named the SEC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week, while freshman Taylor Tubbs was honored as the SEC Women’s Freshman of the Week.
At the UAB Invite, Reynolds clocked in a first-place finish and a personal best in the long jump with a 6.38m/20-11.25. Tubbs ran a mile in 4:59.77, finishing second.
After two weeks of practice, Hall and the Gators will compete today and Saturday at the Rod McCravy Memorial in Lexington. Florida excelled at its last meet, winning 13 events.
“I’m a big proponent of practice make permanent; there’s no such thing as perfect,” Holloway said.
“If we’re going to be at our best, we have to be at our best in practice.”
Follow Lawrence Laguna on Twitter @LagunaLawrence
Hugh Graham Jr. (left) hugs Arman Hall after winning the 4x400m relay during the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Jun. 8, 2013.
