Excitement is revolving around the UF track and field team as it hosts the annual Pepsi Florida Relays starting today.
Able to stay home as they have been doing since the beginning of the indoor season back in January, the Gators get to compete on their own turf where they practice daily.
“Anytime you can create a family type atmosphere, sleep in your own beds, eat your regular foods and stay in your workout routine, it’s a good thing,” coach Mike Holloway said.
“It’s exciting. It’s the Florida Relays. It’s a big deal here in Gainesville, and it’s a big deal in the state of Florida.”
The Florida Relays first began in 1939 and have carried a 74-year tradition of incoming high school, collegiate and international participants from all over the world.
With what once started as 200 athletes competing in a one-day event, the Florida Relays have expanded to a three-day affair, attracting more than 3,000 competitors.
It first became a big event because of the work former UF track coach Percy Beard brought to Florida.
Now a nationally recognized event, the athletes honor their home meet as one of the most memorable events of their careers.
“Starting with the freshman, they’re more than excited because they see the energy coming from the upperclassmen,” senior sprinter Ebony Eutsey said.
“Us as a whole team, we’re all on our party vibe. As a team we’re beyond happy, it being Florida Relays this coming weekend.”
Eutsey often reminisces on one of her favorite Florida Relays moments, winning the 400-meter dash in her sophomore year in 52.07 seconds – currently her personal record.
She was also a member of last year’s team that won the women’s 4x400-meter relay.
Although UF will be in the comfort of its facility for the competition through Saturday at the Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium, distractions cannot get in the way.
Junior jumper Marquis Dendy, who just came off a long jump title at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays last weekend in Austin, Texas, prepares himself in the same fashion regardless of the location of the meet.
“No matter if it’s a home meet or an away meet, you always have to come to it with the aspect knowing that this is a meet regardless if its home or if it’s in California or Delaware,” Dendy said.
“It does bring more excitement being a home meet, but at the end you still have got to go ahead with the same focus, same mentality and hit your marks.
“There’s going to be a better home crowd that are going to be on your side, don’t get carried away with the crowd, but you also have to come here and realize it’s a home meet, another day in the office.”
Follow Lawrence Laguna on Twitter @LagunaLawrence
Marquis Dendy competes at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 23, 2013, in Fayetteville, Ark.
