They spend hours each day preparing.
Dripping in sweat, they run within the lanes of Percy Beard Track track envisioning future opposition.
And they go out and compete.
That preparation manifests itself in the Florida track and field teams’ performances on meet days. They face some of the most talented sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers in the nation in a battle of who’s most deserving of the No. 1 seat in the national rankings.
It’s a spot that UF’s men’s team hasn’t conceded since before the start of the outdoor season.
And it’s a spot that the women are still rising to after several of them finished in the top five at the Tom Jones Memorial on April 13 to bump the team from No. 9 to No. 8 in the country.
In describing the performance of his women’s 4x400 relay team in practice, Florida coach Mike Holloway mentioned that the team didn’t show everything it was capable of when it took the track on March 31 at the Pepsi Florida Relays.
And several of the women feel that’s a narrative that fits their season.
“The women’s team definitely still has more to show in terms of our athletic abilities and our unity as a women’s team,” senior Darrielle McQueen said. “So that we can come together when it counts and perform and achieve those goals.”
McQueen, in her last year as a Gator, has used her veteran status on the team to come up with those big numbers, including a second-place finish — behind teammate Yanis David — in the long jump.
“The experience is something that I can use to my advantage as an athlete knowing that I’ve done it before,” McQueen said. “Now I’m able to talk to some of the freshmen and sophomores and let them know ‘hey, this is all fun. Just go out there, do what you know how to do and don’t put too much stress on yourself.’”
The Tallahassee native has become the No. 3-ranked outdoor long jumper and No. 5-ranked outdoor triple jumper in school history over her four years with the team. She wants to be remembered as not only one of the best athletes to pass through UF’s track and field program, but as someone who touched lives and contributed positivity to the team.
“I think I’ve shown that through the interactions that I’ve made with people during my time as a student-athlete at UF, and I’ve competed at a high level,” McQueen said. “I think that others can look at my legacy and say ‘she’s a well-rounded person.’”
One of the young athletes who hopes to become as experienced as McQueen is Amanda Froeynes.
The freshman heptathlete has had plenty of success in the short time that she’s been a Gator, and she says that she is already a better athlete now than she was at the start of her collegiate career.
“My long jump and hurdles have improved a lot this season,” Froeynes said. “I’ve already gotten a lot faster, which helps a lot. My form is getting better, and coach (Adrain) Mann and coach (Mike) Holloway are helping me with all the technical stuff that I’ve been struggling with.”
And with the guidance of veterans like McQueen, Froeynes believes that she can make a difference and contribute to a big run in the postseason.
“Our women’s team is really getting better. It’s fun to see and to watch all the great athletes out there,” she said. “If I can execute at SECs and do my best out there, I can really help this team at nationals.”
Follow Alanis Thames on Twitter @alanisthames and contact her at athames@alligator.org.
Senior jumper Darrielle McQueen finished second in the women's long jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She captured 8 points for Florida in the event, contributing to the team's grand total of 17, good for second overall.
