Creating a track and field program that is competitive in multiple events has been Mike Holloway’s goal since he arrived at Florida.
As UF’s coach for the past 12 years, Holloway had to re-direct the image of the team after it was deemed a sprint program.
“I like to think that I learn from my mistakes,” Holloway said. “When we were basically a sprint team, we were successful, were top two in the country a lot, and we were second and third in the SEC a lot.
“But as a staff, we realized that we were going to be one of the best teams in the country or the best team in the league.”
Holloway said the team then had to be more diverse, and his staff went out to recruit top athletes in every event.
His staff understood what it took to win in this league: You can’t do it in just one event or area.
Then, they gathered the diversity that would give them five national championships and scored equally on the field and track events.
With the 2014 Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships starting today, Holloway can direct his team again to a SEC Indoor title, which he has not won since the 2012 women’s team claimed the title.
The Columbus, Ohio, native, who is a UF alum, has also thrived on making the women’s program as elite as the men’s team.
Holloway has preached to his female athletes that they have the talent to be as competitive as any team in the nation, but turning that talent into titles is what counts.
“The big thing with the women’s team is that they are starting to realize their potential,” Holloway said.
“Potential is a funny word, because for me, it means we just haven’t done anything yet.”
Holloway said it’s time for the women’s side to take the next step and bring a trophy back to Gainesville.
The crucial parts of the season pertaining to Holloway are the SEC and NCAA championships.
With Florida always being in the discussion as a top team to win the conference and nationals, Holloway also recognizes there is solid competition in the SEC that can pose a threat.
Top-ranked and defending indoor men’s champions Arkansas and third-ranked host Texas A&M will test Florida.
Although those teams seem to be rival competition, sophomore sprinter Arman Hall said whether in the regular season or going into SECs, his team never takes it easy.
When the second-ranked Gators take to the track once again in College Station, Texas, Hall said anyone who is on the track when Florida is competing would be a rival, not just one team.
“Our competition never takes it easy on us,” Hall said.
“We know we’re not the most liked team in NCAA, period. So everywhere we have to stay mentally ready, knowing that they’re going to come out here to try to beat our bond, try to embarrass us on a national level.
“So we got to make sure we do the same thing to them.”
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Mike Holloway looks on during the Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships on Nov. 1, 2013, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
