Yesterday, April 2^nd, was the kick-off of the annual Pepsi Florida Relays track and field event at the University of Florida’s James G. Pressly Stadium. The Gators won five events and broke a few records, including a world-leading time set in the 100-meter dash by sophomore sprinter Jeff Demps. Senior Julie Northrup also set a record in the steeplechase event.

In the 100-meter dash, Demps ran a 2010 world-leading time of 10.11. A couple years ago while in high school, he recorded a time of 10.01. Previously, Nesta Carter, of Jamaica, had the fastest time in the world this season at 10.15.  Jeremy Hall and Terrell Wilks also competed in the 100-meter dash event. Hall finished in fourth place with a time of 10.30, while Wilks came in 10^th place with a time of 10.41.

Julie Northrup had a personal-best record time of 10:29.22 in the women’s steeplechase. Her time is now the third-fastest time in school history. Her previous personal-record time was 10:31.59, which she had earned at the SEC Outdoor Championships last season.

Sophomore Christian Taylor and senior sprinter Calvin Smith were very successful in the 400-meter dash. Taylor won the event, finishing with a time of 45.55. Smith came in second with a time of 45.62. Also placing in the event were Tony McQuay, who took fifth place in 46.43, and R.J. Anderson who finished sixth in 46.86. That gives the Gators four sprinters that finished among the top six in this race.

Other notes:
- Charlotte Browning, a senior distance runner, captured the women’s 800-meter event with a time of 2:06.42
- Senior long distance jumper Shara Proctor triumphed in the women’s long jump event with a leap of 6.63m
- In the women’s discus, Keely Medeiros finished in second place with a personal-record throw of 51.16m
- Justine Taylor, also a senior distance runner, placed fifth in the men’s 1,500m run
- Sophomore Gray Horn took third place in the men’s long jump
- Ugonna Ndu, a freshman hurdler, clocked a personal-best time of 58.79 in the women’s 400-meter hurdles race