FLORIDA RELAYS PREVIEW

Over the past couple of years the Florida Relays has become the second string player during this great weekend in track and field. In the past the Florida Relays were one week ahead of the Texas Relays to try and not compete with the major meet. However now the Florida Relays is now scheduled for the same weekend as the Texas Relays. The Florida Relays in the future may bring more professional involvement especially since there are strong amount of individual events but right now it a hot event for southeastern schools.


Men

The men's side bring a host of intriguing stories, from distance to sprints, from jumps to throws and from all levels of competition high school, collegiate and professional.

the sprints the Indoor Champions and host University of Florida look to be the main story coming out this weekend. Jeff Demps will compete in his first outdoor 100 meter race since his injury plagued eighth place finish at last year's SEC Championship at Florida. Demps will race against teammates Jeremy Hall and Terrell Wilks. Also in the race is Gator alum and olympic gold and silver medalist Bernard Williams. Evander Wells from Tennesse should also spark a challenge.

Superstar Florida freshman Tony McQuay will look to lead the way in the men's 400 being joined with teammates Calvin Smith, Christian Taylor and R.J. Anderson. This quartet could possibly put up a record time in the men's 4x400 relay.

Olympic bronze medalist David Oliver and Jamaican star Dwight Thomas will square off in the men's 110 hurdles. Florida is still without sensation William Wynne who is missing in action for an undisclosed reason, rumor on Gator track report is that Wynne is injured. South Carolina hurdle stars Johnny Dutch and Booker Nunley look to headline for the college men.

In the distance events Florida senior Carlos Phillips looks to headline the collegiate ranks competing in the men's 800. After running phenomenal times during the regular seasons of the past this could be the season where Phillips gets his outdoor All-American honor. Phillips will have good competition from Tennesse sophomore Emerson Peacock. The men's mile should also be an interesting with Florida senior Justin Taylor, Wisconsin junior Landon Peacock and middle distance standout junior Ryan Foster of Penn State.

The relay events are obviously the main attraction to the meet. The men's 4x100 looks to be a barn burner. The defending NCAA Outdoor Champions, the Florida Gators, have a stellar team consisting of Jeremy Rankin, Jeremy Hall, Terell Wilks and Jeff Demps. The Gators 4x200 relay looks solid as well, Tony McQuay, Jeremy Hall, Terell Wilks and Jeff Demps look to aid those efforts. The 4x400 relay relay is just as competitive. The 4x400 consists of Tony McQuay, Chrisitan Taylor, R.J. Anderson and Calvin Smith. The Gators should get challenged from Tennesse, South Carolina, South Florida and North Carolina in all three of the sprint relays.


The field events add to the star power of what looks to be a great meet. Talented Florida freshman Omar Craddock will double in both the men's triple jump and long jump, Craddock will look to be the winner in both those events coming off a stellar indoor season. Fellow freshman David Wilson of Virginia Tech will also look to take the crown in the men's triple jump.

Another talented Gator freshman Jeremy Postin will look to again improve on his mark in the men's hammer throw were he last week set a school record. Teammate Kemal Mesic a junior will headline the men's shot put after ending his indoor seasons as an All-American.

Should a great weekend of collegiate action for the men.

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The Women will take a back seat at this meet. The headlines are not as solid as on the men's side. However there a plenty of big names lining up this weekend for some exciting races.

The Sprints always a headline at relay meet, LaKya Brookins of South Carolina will look to avenge his 60 meter title loss this past indoor season in the women's 100. Joining Brookins will be Shavon Greaves of Penn State, high school 60 meter record holder Ashley Owens, Natasha Hastings and Rachelle Smith.

The 400 will star junior LaJada Baldwin of Ole Miss and Jenna Martin of Kentucky. The two college stars will get pushed heavily by former NCAA Champion Shana Cox. Former University of Texas star Moushami Robinson will also compete in a seperate heat.

The women's 100 meter hurdles is loaded with star talent both professional and collegiate. Indoor 60 meter champion Queen Harrison will compete along with Vaniesha Ivy of North Carolina teammate Kristi Catlin. Professionals include former NCAA Champion Nichole Denby, Kelli Wells, Damu Cherry and Andrea Bliss. Penn State's Aleesha Barber is a wild card in the race.

Harrison will look to add a second crown in the women's 400 hurdles as the main headliner, Miami teammates Tierra Brown and Takecia Jameson will provide a strong challenge along with North Carolina junior Latoya James. Former Miami standout Dominique Darden will be competing in a seperate heat.

The Distance events will be very hot this weekend, Florida senior Charlotte Browning is the name everyone will remember at the end of this meet. After winning the women's mile indoors, Browning looks to carry that same success outdoors. However in this meet Browning will step down to the 800. Browning will look to have a number one ranking at the end of the race. Sophomore Tasha Stanley of North Carolina should be the main competitor.

Ironic that Phoebe Wright the indoor 800 meter champion will move up to the mile to led a strong Tennesse contingent in that event. Wright will be joined by teammates Brittany Sheffey and Jackie Areson. Host runners Genevieve LaCaze, Stacy Johnson and Kaitlin Shiver will look to defend Florida in what should be a great mile race.

Senior Mariam Kevkhishvilli of Florida looks to go out on top at her last Florida Relays as Gator. The shot put star is class of all field events this weekend and will look to put up a big mark. Teammate Shara Proctor will look to defeat rival Kim Williams of Florida State in the women's long jump.


Looks to be a great competition at the Florida Relays. This weekend also plays host to a collection of meets throughout the country. The Florida and Texas Relays look to take the cake as the premier meets this weekend. Keep your eye on Flotrack to view some fantastic races.