Dubbed by many at UF as “the most exciting couple of minutes in racing,” the 4x400m relays highlight the Florida Relays. The event was the catalyst that drove Florida to multiple national championships.
Traditionally the finale for many track meets, the 4x400s have long been a point of emphasis for the Gators.
“The 4x400 is kind of the signature event for us and we always like to close the meet with it,” coach Mike Holloway said on Saturday.
“It’s the last thing anyone sees of us, so we want to go out with a great effort.”
It’s a theme that’s been pervasive in Holloway’s tenure at UF.
“We talk about that a lot, how the 4x4 is the last thing people see at the meet, and it’s what they remember you by,” Holloway said at the Razorback Invitational in January.
The 4x400s have taken on a certain mystique at Florida over the years, thanks in part to the men’s battle hymn, “Oh, I Gotta Go.”
The tradition began in 1995, Holloway’s first year as an assistant coach with Florida. Robert Covington, a sprinter at the time, learned the song from his brother who was in the military and, soon after, taught the song to his teammates. To this day, the song is sung by Florida’s athletes immediately preceding the start of the men’s 4x4.
“There’s a lot of pride in the relay at the University of Florida,” Holloway said. “That’s been a tradition as long as I’ve been here.”
On Saturday, Florida’s men finished second in the 4x4. The first-place squad featured Olympian and former Gator Tony McQuay as the anchor.
“It’s all about effort,” said Holloway. “We were right in the middle of heavy training. I asked them to go out and engage in the fight tonight, engage in the party. And they did that. They were running against professional athletes, Olympians in Jeremy Wariner and Tony McQuay. We did well.”
“We thought we did pretty good,” Florida anchor Arman Hall said. “We did the best we could in front of our fans. We were supported by our great teammates. Sure we’re sad, we could have won [the race], but we’ve just got to work harder and hopefully beat them next time. We know we’re just as good as they are, but again they got us for today. Who knows, we might get them next time if we face them off.”
The women were also runners-up in their 4x4, also losing to a post-collegiate squad featuring Olympic gold medalist Moushaumi Robinson. Although the women didn’t win the event, they did break a longstanding UF record and still hold the fastest time in the NCAA.
“The women went out and broke a school record that people thought was unbreakable,” Holloway said. “I’m incredibly proud of them.”
Anchor Ebony Eutsey added: “It feels great. Our team is young here. We have two freshmen on this team, so for freshman to be able to step up and take that record is a good thing. It means a lot to all of us. It’s just great.”
Holloway deemed this year’s Florida Relays another chapter in the Gators’ 4x400 relay history.
“We had numerous PR’s, numerous seasonal bests, school records,” said Holloway. “It was an unbelievable weekend.”
Senior Max Lang attempts to clear the pole during the Florida Relays on Saturday at Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium. Lang tied for 20th in the men’s university division.
