Coach Mike Holloway has only one goal for the NCAA Preliminary Round: finish in the top 12. On Thursday, that’s exactly what Stipe Zunic, Marquis Dendy and Florence Ngetich did.
“Our focus is not the distances, marks or times but making sure we can qualify our athletes and get them to nationals,” Holloway said. “I thought overall we had a very solid day.”
Although the three are the first from Florida to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Dendy almost missed out in the long jump.
The freshman was in 35th place with just one jump left. Instead of letting the pressure get to him, Dendy jumped a career best of 7.81 meters to take over the lead and advance to the quarterfinals.
The first place mark held up in the quarterfinals and helped Dendy move on to his first NCAA Outdoor Championships.
“Marquis continues to get better as the season progresses,” Holloway said. “Coach (Brian) O’Neal could feel a breakthrough coming at SEC Outdoors and we’re all very proud of Marquis for going out there and getting better. Marquis had a great day.”
Sophomore Zunic also had an impressive performance on Thursday. Not only did he qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, but he also extended his perfect season with his seventh consecutive win in the javelin.
“I’m very proud of Stipe,” Holloway said. “He’s had a tremendous sophomore season and it isn’t over yet.”
Wrapping up the day for the Gators was Ngetich in the 10,000 meters. She finished the race in sixth with a time of 34:26.88
In addition to the three, Florida had 10 athletes who will compete in the finals of the NCAA Preliminary Round, Darshay Davis (100 meters), Jeff Demps (100 meters), Lanie Whittaker (400 meters), Ebony Eutsey (400 meters), Tony McQuay (400 meters), Hugh Graham (400 meters), Tyler Cardillo (800 meters), Cory McGee (1,500 meters), Ugonna Ndu (400 meter hurdles) and Amani Bryant (400 meter hurdles). McGee is the only one out of the 10 who will compete on Saturday; the rest will race on Friday.
“On the men’s side, we had all but one of our men qualify for tomorrow,” Holloway said. “The women didn’t qualify as many as we would have liked, but those things happen. There are always bumps in the road. What makes us a team is rallying around each other and responding. We got our major players through and we’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
