After competing for the first time since the Tom Jones Memorial Classic, senior Jeff Demps had another strong outing during Thursday’s race. However, due to a troublesome hamstring, Demps didn’t compete on Friday causing him to miss out on going to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"He just couldn't go tonight. He's being evaluated by our medical & training staff at this time,” coach Mike Holloway said.
Despite not having a runner in the men’s 100 meters, it didn’t stop the Gators from going on to have 20 qualifiers throughout the weekend at the NCAA East Preliminary Round. Eight of the spots were claimed by Florida on the final day of competition, including both the men and women’s 4x400 meter relays.
The men’s 4x400 meter relay made up of Dedric Dukes, Hugh Graham, Leonardo Seymore and Tony McQuay were able to turn in a time of 3:03.64 for a third place finish overall. The women’s 4x400 meter relay also had a solid race. Ebony Eutsey, Amani Bryant, Lanie Whittaker and Ugonna Ndu came in sixth place with a time of 3:34.46.
“Our 4x400-meter relays are special,” Holloway said. “It’s the last impression we leave and the last thing people see of us and our program. We close out every meet with the 4x4 and they raced hard tonight. Also, I’m so proud of Amani for stepping in tonight in the women’s 4x4. And our men obviously had a tremendous race. I truly couldn’t be more pleased.”
Bryant wasn’t the only Gator who had to step in on Saturday. Sophomore Eddie Lovett took Demps place in the 4x100 meter relay. However, the relay team didn’t qualify because the baton was dropped during the hand off between McQuay and Seymore.
Less than an hour later Lovett went on to compete in his main event, the 110 meter hurdles, where he qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
In addition to Lovett and the 4x400 relay teams, Dwight Barbiasz (high jump), Darshay Davis (200 meters), Dedric Dukes (200 meters), Cory McGee (1,500 meters) and Ciarra Brewer (triple jump) will all be heading to Des Moines, Iowa in about two weeks.
Out of those six individuals who qualified Saturday, both Barbiasz and Brewer are coming off wins at the SEC Championships.
Brewer had a jump of 13.30 meters, finishing fifth overall. Although it wasn’t her best, the freshman is still second in the nation with the mark she set at the SEC Championships of 13.58 meters.
“I’m really proud of Ciarra today,” Holloway said. “She’s had a phenomenal freshman season and she’s continuing her momentum late in the season. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do in Des Moines.”
Contact Katie Agostin at kagostin@alligator.org.
