Splitting the team up so it could compete at three different meets didn't hinder Florida this weekend.
The Gators competed at the final day of Texas Relays, UNF Invite and Raleigh Relays and put together record-breaking performances.
However, the competition in Austin, Texas, stole the show as the men’s and women’s 4x400 and 4x100-relay results put up historic performances.
Antwan Wright, Hugh Graham Jr., Arman Hall and Dedric Dukes clocked a UF and Texas Relays record in the 4x4 while claiming first place in the event.
Their time of 38.29 seconds also marks as the top national mark this season and third best in NCAA collegiate history.
“Texas Relays is one of the most prestigious events in the world,” coach Mike Holloway said. “When you come to an event like this, you have to engage in the intensity and the passion that other teams show here.”
Holloway held a team meeting urging the squad to maintain its focus.
The Gators answered that call, as the women’s 4x100-relay proved to be the third-fastest time in Florida history.
Robin Reynolds, Shayla Sanders, Destinee Gause and Ebony Eutsey ran a time of 43.60 seconds to capture first place.
Partaking in the historic run, Bridgette Owens returned to competition after barely competing during the indoor season.
Owens finished third in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, finishing in 12.96 seconds.
UF earned a total of three first-place finishes (men's 4x1, women's 4x1, men's 4x4) and two second-place victories between the men’s 110-meter hurdles and men’s 4x200-meter relay.
“I was very proud of the (men’s) 4x1 today — a new school record and American collegiate record,” Holloway said. “It was a wonderful job.”
In addition, although it didn’t occur on the final day, Brittany Harrell had the spotlight to herself for much of Days 1 and 2 of Texas Relays in the Heptathlon.
Harrell finished in third place overall with 5,620 points throughout eight events, which includes to the successful outing the sprinters and hurdlers had in Austin.
Meanwhile in Jacksonville, Gators sent their throwers and some distance runners to the UNF Invite. Ashley Favors put up her season-best mark in the women’s 100m heptathlon, clocking a 14.34 second mark.
In addition, out in Raleigh, N.C., Elliot Clemente had a personal record in the men’s 10,000-meter run finishing in eighth place at a time of 31:06.68.
The last time the Gators were split cross country was back in the middle of the indoor season where UF went to Ames, Iowa, Seattle, Wash., New York City, N.Y., and College Station, Texas.
Florida has now wrapped up two meets so far in the outdoor campaign, and will finally host a meet in Gainesville — the annual Pepsi Florida Relays.
“Really, really pleased, proud and satisfied,” Holloway said. “We have to get back to Gainesville and get rested for a day or so before we get ready for Florida Relays next week.”
Follow Lawrence Laguna on Twitter @LagunaLawrence
