Christian Taylor just keeps winning and this time he took his act out west.
Taylor, the Southeastern Conference Field Athlete of the Year, won a NCAA Championship in the men’s triple jump with a 2010 American-leading leap of 17.09 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.
“Getting the outdoor title means a lot to me,” Taylor said. “Helping the team and trying to win that team title would really be special.”
Freshman Omar Craddock placed sixth overall in the triple jump to earn All-America honors and score vital points for the men’s team.
Florida scored 13 points on the opening day to put itself in prime position to accomplish its goal of “Finishing the Mission.”
The UF men’s 4x100-meter relay team, the defending NCAA Champions, clocked the fastest time in the prelims at 38.94, advancing to the finals.
The 4x100-meter final consists of eight teams, five of which are from the SEC. Florida’s biggest competition in capturing the men’s overall NCAA Championships, Texas A&M, also qualified for the 4x100-meter final.
Sprinter Jeff Demps, who anchored the top 4x100 relay team with a blazing time, advanced to the finals in the men’s 100-meter dash, clocking a time of 10.15. Demps placed second overall in the semifinal heat at the same track he became the co-owner of the U.S. Junior World Record, 10.01.
Terrell Wilks placed 11th in the 100-meter dash and did not advance.
All-American Calvin Smith advanced to the finals in the men’s 400-meter dash. Smith ran the fourth fastest time overall at 45.64. Freshman sprinter Tony McQuay did not advance with Smith, finishing 14th.
I thought we had a great day,” Florida head coach Mike Holloway said.
“Hats off to Christian Taylor. He had a great performance in winning the triple jump and he really kick-started the meet for us.”
The University of Oregon, which is hosting the championship, registered a first day attendance at the meet of 9,981.
The 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships continues today in Hayward Field starting at 1 p.m.
