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Friday, March 29, 2024
<p>Lanie Whittaker runs at the Tom Jones Classic on April 21, 2012. Whittaker helped the Gators take first in the sprint medley relay at the Florida Relays on Saturday.</p>

Lanie Whittaker runs at the Tom Jones Classic on April 21, 2012. Whittaker helped the Gators take first in the sprint medley relay at the Florida Relays on Saturday.

This weekend the Gators had 21 athletes qualify for 19 events at the NCAA East Preliminary Round.

Although Florida was among the teams that secured multiple spots for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, one spot wasn’t enough for five Gators.

Darshay Davis, Dedric Dukes, Lanie Whittaker, Tony McQuay and Marquis Dendy will all be going to Des Moines, Iowa, to represent their team in two different events.

“This meet is all about finishing in the top 12,” said coach Mike Holloway about the NCAA East Preliminary Round.

The weekend started off as Dendy qualified in the men’s long jump with a personal record. He then went on to have another record-breaking performance on Friday as he qualified in the triple jump with a mark of 15.55 meters.

“We knew Marquis was a dual threat when we recruited him, and he and Coach (Brian) O’Neal have been working very hard to see him develop through the season,” Holloway said.

“We don’t think he’s there yet, but we know his potential and I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Davis continued the momentum on Friday by qualifying in the 100 meters, followed by the 200 meters on Saturday.

“I’m so pleased with Darshay’s effort,” Holloway said.

“What a tremendous weekend for her to qualify in both the 100 and 200. She’s really setting herself up for a special week at NCAAs.”

Dukes and McQuay qualified in the 4x400 meter relay on Saturday with a then-facility record-breaking time of 3:03.64. Earlier in the day, Dukes broke his personal record in the 200 meters to finish fifth and secured his first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

“I can’t say enough about Dedric Dukes,” Holloway said.

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“In just his first season with us, having enrolled here in January and just working with us for a few months, he’s qualified for NCAAs with a great race in the 200.”

On Friday, McQuay qualified in the 400 meters with a season best of 45.41. The reigning U.S. Champion will be hoping to grab his first NCAA title.

“Tony is Tony and he did what he always does, he competes,” Holloway said.

Like McQuay, Whittaker was able to qualify in both the 4x400 meter relay in addition to the 400 meters.

“With Lanie, I’m so proud of her making her first NCAA Outdoors on her own and can’t wait to see what she’ll do in Des Moines,” Holloway said.

The Gators will begin competition in Iowa on June 6 with the men looking to break their three-year streak of top-three finishes and grab the title.

Florida has lost by a combined five points to three-time defending national champion Texas A&M in the last three seasons at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Contact Katie Agostin at kagostin@alligator.org

Lanie Whittaker runs at the Tom Jones Classic on April 21, 2012. Whittaker helped the Gators take first in the sprint medley relay at the Florida Relays on Saturday.

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