The Gator baseball team has concluded its five-week 2010 Iron Gator Challenge. The off-season started with a simple quote: “Many are willing to eat, but few are willing to hunt.” The goal every day was to strive to improve both mentally and physically.
There are many gifted individuals and teams in the country, but the question is: ‘How many are willing to put the hard work in day-in and day-out to maximize their talent?’ Our edge here at the University of Florida baseball is old-school hard work. The players and staff are excited to begin the 2011 Hunting Season!
Final Team Standings:
| 1. Team Larson | 100 |
| 2. Team Adams | 94 |
| 3. Team Toledo | 88 |
| 4. Team Fontana | 78 |
What have you seen from your fellow Gator teammates this off-season surprised you?
“Every single guy on this team battled, nobody gave up. This was the best fall since I’ve been here in terms of guys just competing in the weight room. This entire off-season will help us as a team tremendously going into this spring.” – Junior Greg Larson (Longwood, Fla.)
Top Four Position Players
| 1. Kamm Washington | 93 |
| 2. Paul Wilson | 92 |
| 3. Ben McMahan | 91 |
| 4. Bryson Smith | 82 |
What does it mean to you to win the position-player competition after a season-ending injury at Tennessee last year?
“It gives me some confidence going into the season. It was a really tough grind all fall and it proved to me that I am battle- tested and ready for the season.” – Sophomore Kamm Washington (Boynton Beach, Fla.)
Top Four Pitchers
| 1. Justin Poovey | 99 |
| 2. Brian Johnson | 87 |
| 3. Hudson Randall | 83 |
| 4. Tommy Toledo | 82 |
How do you think the Iron Gator Challenge helps prepare pitchers both mentally and physically?
“Physically, it’s obvious. After a workout, our muscles are tired since we went through some difficult workouts. Mentally, you have to forget about a bad event one day and come back the next day ready to compete.” – Junior Justin Poovey (Granite Falls, N.C.)
Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s team participated in challenging and diverse events during the Iron Gator Challenge, including the 80-yard board push, towel hang, team sled push (sled weighing 135 pounds) for 30 yards, 100-pound dumbbell holds, 45-pound plate holds, team tug-of- war, push-ups, chin-ups, 50-meter freestyle sprint in the pool and 135-pound bar walk for 50 yards.
