Junior Tony McQuay (Riviera Beach,
Fla.) will represent the United States in London, as the three-time NCAA
Champion took home silver medalist honors in the men’s 400 meters on Sunday at
the U.S. Olympic Trials.
McQuay turned in a personal-record and
Florida school-record time of 44.49 on Sunday to finish just behind LaShawn
Merritt, who ran a world-leading 44.12 to capture the top spot. McQuay’s time
is the third-fastest in the world this year, finishing in front of USC’s
Bryshon Nellum, who ran 44.80 to capture the third spot for London.
Former Gator NCAA Champion and All-American Will
Claye also turned in a runner-up performance in the men’s long jump,
leaping an impressive 8.23m/27-0 (+2.3) to solidify his place on Team USA. It
was Claye's sixth and final jump that earned him his spot representing the Red,
White and Blue. Fellow Gator NCAA Champion and All-American Christian Taylor
finished just outside medalist honors, placing fourth with his season-best
jump of 8.12m/26-7.75.
Senior sprinter Jeff Demps (Winter
Park, Fla.) came in second in his men’s 100 meters semifinal and fourth overall,
racing to a 10.10 finish to automatically qualify for the final as the only
collegian to advance. Demps finished seventh overall in 10.27 in the final.
The Gators have a light day tomorrow, as
former Gator All-American Wes Stockbarger begins the qualifying rounds
of the men’s discus throw at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Junior SEC Champion and NCAA runner-up Dwight
Barbiasz (Milford, N.H.) will look to join Claye and McQuay in London as he
competes in the finals of the men’s high jump at 8:50 p.m. ET, kicking off NBC’s
primetime coverage on Monday evening. NBC Sports Network will go live from
Eugene from 9-11 p.m. ET on Monday.
