Mike Holloway is one of the most decorated coaches Florida has on its payroll. Under his leadership, the UF men’s team has won five national titles, and Holloway has five coach of the year awards.
Now, he is focused on bringing the women up to the men’s level of success.
"This is my 19th year here, and this may be the best fall we’ve ever had," Holloway said.
"We’ve been putting a lot of time and effort to getting the women’s program in the same position that the men are currently at this time."
Holloway said the women’s team will rely on the senior leadership of Cory McGee and Agata Strausa in distance events.
McGee and Strausa led the way during the fall cross country season.
Neither finished worse than second in a combined eight meets.
Ebony Eutsey and Lanie Whittaker will lead the way in sprints.
"I think the women have more physical talent across the board than the men do," Holloway said.
"It’s just the men have kind of figured it out, and the women are starting to figure it out."
The Gators lost Ugonna Ndu, arguably their best hurdler from last season, and Mandy Perkins, a key contributor in distance, to graduation. But UF has alleviated the loss of Ndu by adding one of the best short hurdlers in the country, Bridgette Owens, a transfer from Clemson. Owens was a first-team All-American in the 60- and 100-meter hurdles in 2012.
Holloway believes the women are a more talented group than last year. With one of the top recruiting classes in the country coming in, he believes they can compete for a title this year.
"We can’t be complacent," he said. "We can’t rest on our laurels.
"We have to understand that nobody is going to roll over and play dead for us."
Both teams start the 2014 indoor season on Friday in Birmingham, Ala., at the UAB Invite.
"We’re ready to get this thing started," Holloway said. "We’re tired of running, jumping and throwing against each other."
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Agata Strausa, who will compete in distance events during the spring track season, never finished worse than second in eight meets during cross country in the fall.
