After four Gators punched their ticket to Eugene, Ore., on the first day of NCAA prelims, 13 more joined the party on Friday.
The top-ranked men and second-ranked women track squads pulled off another solid day in Jacksonville at Hodges Stadium to increase their qualified numbers.
With seven women and 10 men totaling the finals group, including a double qualifier in junior jumper Marquis Dendy (long and triple jump), the team will now cruise to a final day of competition.
“I thought we did a phenomenal job again today. It was really a good feeling to watch all our athletes compete today,” coach Mike Holloway said. “They really competed with pride and passion – we talk about that a lot here.”
The Gators were also led by a core of women and men runners as they succeeded in qualifying through the quarterfinals.
Robin Reynolds, Ebony Eutsey and Destinee Gause qualified for the women in the 400-meter, and Hugh Graham Jr., Arman Hall and Najee Glass did so for the men’s squad.
The Gators also packed each of their 800-meter runners to advance to finals. Andres Arroyo, Ryan Schnulle and Sean Obinwa all turned in sub-two minute times to pass the quarterfinals.
Ten running events remain to compete in and only one field event as triple jumper and Co-Women’s Field Athlete of the Year Ciarra Brewer suits up to hopefully turn in a qualifying mark.
All that is left for Florida is a final day of success to turn in more athletes for the ultimate goal of heading to the NCAA finals.
“The meet isn’t over and we still have qualifying to do,” Holloway said. “I challenged them to compete with the same intensity they have these previous two days and as we say: Finish the mission.”
Follow Lawrence Laguna on Twitter @LagunaLawrence
Mike Holloway looks on during the Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships on Nov. 1, 2013, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
