Calvin Smith has always been focused on making himself one of the best sprinters in the nation. Now he is looking to make his team one of the best as well.
After his personal-best in a season-opening race last week, Smith and the No. 5 UF men’s and No. 9 women’s track and field teams are looking to continue building their momentum heading into this weekend’s Virginia Tech Elite Meet, which begins today at 5 p.m..
“I want to leave with an individual title and a team title,” Smith said. “I feel if I put my best effort forward, then the team will too.”
Smith, a 13-time All-American, is among 12 individuals and relay groups on the men’s and women’s teams to already qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championship.
The senior attributed his NCAA qualifying mark of 46:48 in the 400-meter dash last weekend to increased motivation for his last season as a Gator.
“Because it’s my senior year I’m not sure if I’ll ever run again so I’m pushing myself harder,” Smith said. “The freshmen are looking to me so they know what to do.”
This weekend in Blacksburg, Va., he’ll look to add a qualify in the 200-meter dash.
He’s also a part of one of the elite 4x400 relay teams in the nation, which will compete against some of the best teams in the Atlantic Coastal Conference and Southeastern Conference, including in-state rival FSU.
Smith is not the only one who will be looking to qualify for the NCAA Championships this weekend.
Christian Taylor, the anchor of the 4x400 team, will try to qualify individually in the triple jump.
Taylor, the defending national champion in the triple jump will compete in the event for the first time this season in this weekend’s meet.
The sophomore said he’s treating this meet like a post-season competition.
“You don’t have to wait to the SECs to do something big. When you perform at a high level (in regular-season meets) it gets easier at the big meets,” Taylor said.
