By: Brandon Kendrick

Jeff Demps, yes, the big play-making running back for the Florida Gators, helped the Gator track team win the 4×100-meter relay this weekend at the Florida Relays. The Florida Relays take place annually at James G. Pressly Stadium, which is located on the University of Florida campus. The 4×100 team finished in first place with a surprising time of 39.22 seconds; this time is an excellent NCAA regional-qualifying time. The best performance for the Gators came from the men’s 4×400 relay team. They went up against a group of pro’s, which includes Angelo Taylor, the 2008 Olympic 400-meter hurdle and 4×400 relay champion. When it came to the final leg, freshman Christian Taylor held off Taylor, which caused the crowd to go wild! The team consisted of senior R.J. Anderson, junior Calvin Smith, senior Carlos Phillips, and Taylor.

Speedster Jeff Demps running the 4x100-meter relay

As for the women’s track team, freshman Genevieve LaCaze ran a regional qualifying time of 4:22.18 seconds and earned third place in the 1,500-meter relay. She also broke the UF freshman record with a winning time of 10:30.79 seconds in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Overall the Gators look great on the track. They totally dominated the two-day Florida Relays. They set school records and earned a total of thirty nine NCAA regional-qualifying marks. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Gator track team in the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships in May.