Olympic Trials: Florida Coverage HQ

U.S. Olympic Team Trials -
Jason Byrne

There are a lot of results and coverage to pour through around the internet. So we'll do the work for you. We will summarize all the Florida results, commentary, and coverage that we can.

Feel free to add more that you find in the comments.

General Coverage Links

TV Broadcast Schedule

  • Thurs, June 28  9-11 p.m. ET        NBCSN
  • Fri, June 29       6-8 p.m. ET          NBCSN
  • Sat, June 30       9-10 p.m. ET/PT  NBC
  • Sun, July 1         7-8 p.m. ET/PT    NBC

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Florida Summary for Monday June 25

Men Discus Prelims

Westley Stockbarger (Charlotte, UF)  qualified for the finals with a throw of 197-5, which came sandwiched between two fouls. Jared Thomas Jr (USF) failed to advance after hitting two in the 160s and then finally a big one at 190-2, but that put him in 15th place and a few slots shy of advancing.

Women Steeplechase Prelims

Mason Cathey (Bishop Kenny, UF, Saucony) wil advance to the finals in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase. She finished in third place out of heat 1 at 9:47.32 for the sixth overall seed. Fourteen runners advanced.

Women Triple Jump Finals

Michelle Jenije (North Florida Christian, FSU) finished in ninth overall with a jump of 42-6.

Women 5000 Meter Prelims

Jackie Areson (Pope John Paul II, Nike) did not advance to the finals. She finished with a time of 16:11.19 for 23rd place.

Florida Summary for Sunday June 24

Women Pole Vault

Lacy Janson, FSU and Cardinal Mooney alum, grabbed the final spot no the Olympic team with a third place finish of 14-9. She cleared every attempt up to that point, but couldn't quite get past the 14-11 bar.

Men 100 Meters

Semis

Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin won their respectively heats relatively easily with times of 10.04 and 10.06. It was heat one though that had the drama. While Michael Rodgers won big and Jeff Demps sailed in for a 10.10, who would third? FSU alumn Walter Dix or FSU alum Maurice Mitchell? 

Dix looked to be the one, but started to pull up lame during the last ten maters. He held on for a 10.16 third place, but had to wait until the other two heats were done to see if that was good enough to advance to the finals. It was. He grabbed the last qualifying spot in lane eight and then questions swirled if he would be able to come back for that evening's finals at all after hobbling off the track.

Finals

Dix did line up for the finals, reportedly saying through his agent that he is a warrior and would not quit. Warrior or not, he was obviously not his normal self and after hanging in there in the middle of the pack for about the half way point, he quickly took it down a notch after the the drive phase when he was clearly not going to have what it took to make the top three. Not sure if that slow-down was by choice (don't get injured more and miss the 200) or just out of pure agony, but either way he was a distant eight at a pedestrian 10.95. Let's hope he can make it back for the 200 later in the week.

Jeff Demps did not fare much better in the finals, apparently maybe having a little twinge of his own (though not as severe), he finished in seventh place 10.27.

But enough of the bad news...

Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay were phenomonal. Gatlin pulled away during the last 20 meters to finish in a World #2 9.80 to Gay's 9.86. The two Floridians (Gatlin originally from Pensacola and both now living and training in the Clermont/Orlando area) went 1-2 and made the team, two of the true legends of the sport getting another shot at glory!

For Gatlin it's a wondeful story of redemption. Critics had long since counted him. After winning the Gold Medal in 2004, he was banned from the sport for four years in 2006 for an alleged PED violation--a charge he adamently denies knowingly taking to this day. The ban finally lifted last year, but many thought the rusty 30-year-old would have no shot at a real comeback. His trail has been one of steady progress. First looking like he was bound to be a good but not medal-caliber aging sprinter.... until this year.... when he started knocking down some stellar performances and knocked off Asafa Powell in Doha. These past couple of months he has looked especially sharp, winning big races, putting up big times, and looking focused on nothing short of full redemption at this training grounds in Clermont (he trained in 2011 at Disney).

The Trials were basically full-on statement to the world that Gatlin is back and better than ever. His times in the trials (that included a 9.90 to go with that 9.80) are better than he did in that Olympic year in 2004 or 2005. He is back. And he will be the nation's best hope to interupt the Jamaican dominance that has been treatening to sweep the medal stand this Summer.

Justin and Tyson... le'go!

Women 400 Meters

Sanya Richards-Ross, the St. Thomas Aquinas alumni, wil be the gold medal favorite going into the London Games. She flew to a time of 49.28, tying the 29-year-old meet record by Chandra Cheeseborough (also of Florida) and leading the world at the distance. She quickly made up the stagger with her typical fast first 100 meters, hung tight for the next 200 and steadily moving into second or even with 100 meters to go. Then down the final straight it was just no contest as she pulled away from Dee Dee Trotter for the big .8 second Trials win.

Congrats to Sanya on heading back to the Games!

Men Long Jump

Former Florida Gator Christian Taylor came within 3.5 inches of London. He finished in fourth place with a jump of 26-7.75. He was very consistent on the day... hitting that exact mark twice and coming within a half inch of it (26-7.25) on another jump!

Men 400 Meters

Florida Gator Tony McQuay is now an Olympian. He finished in second place to LaShawn Merritt with a big 44.49 to Merrit's 44.12.

Florida Summary for Saturday June 23

Women 100 Meter Hurdles

Brianna Rollins and Kellie Wells won their heats and made the finals. Loreal Smith finished sixth in her heat and did not advance.

Kellie Wells took second place to made Team USA, near tears in the TV interview.

Semi-Finals:

Kellie Wells (lives/trains in Clermont) 12.74, Brianna Rollins (Miami Northwestern, Clemson) 12.70, Loreal Smith (Rickards, NCAT) 13.10

Finals (-1.6 wind):

2nd Place - Kellie Wells (lives/trains in Clermont) 12.77 *Olympic bound*, 6th place - Brianna Rollins (Miami Northwestern, Clemson) 12.94.

Women Triple Jump

Florida State's Michelle Jenije had two 43 feet plus jumps to snag the ninth seed into the finals.

Advances:

Michelle Jenije (FSU) 43-2.5

Women 100 Meter Dash

Despite posting the eight fastest semi-final time with an 11.17 out of heat three, Octavious Freeman did not advance to the finals. She finished in fourth place in a very tough heat three.

Did not advance:

Octavious Freeman (Lake Wales, UCF) 11.17, Barbara Pierre (Oak Ridge) 11.34, Aurieyall Scott (UCF) 11.37, Alexis Love (Palmetto, Murray State) 11.88.

Men 100 Meter Dash

All of the entries with Florida connections advanced to the semis. Justin Gatlin smoked it and maybe was out to prove a point or something. With a decent (but legal) tail wind he went 9.90 to have easily the fastest qualifying time on the day. That beat out Tyson Gay's second seed 10.00. Walter Dix also looke exceptional.

Advances to Semis:

Justin Gatlin (Pensacola Washington, University of Tennessee, Clermont FL) 9.90, Walter Dix (Coral Springs, FSU, Nike) 10.03, Maurice Mitchell (FSU) 10.13, Jeff Demps (UF) 10.18, Travis Padgett (lives/trains in Clermont) 10.33, 

Men 400 Meter Dash

Florida Gator Tony McQuay cruised through to the finals. But Torrin Lawrence and Calvin Smith were just out of advancing. Both took fifth place in their heat and were 9th and 10th seeds, just short of the cut off.

Advances to Finals:

Tony McQuay (UF) 44.84.

Does not Advance:

Torrin Lawrence (Andrew Jackson, UGA) 45.40, Calvin Smith (Tampa Freedom, UF, adidas) 45.61.

Women 400 Meter Dash

Sanya Richards just made it look too easy! She was visibly taking a slower gear for much of the race, on cruise control to secure she would win her heat. And once she was sure the win was well in hand, she started pressing on the brake about 10 meters before the finish, almost coming to a dead stop as she crossed the line. So the fact that she still ran a 50.81--holy cow! Watch out World!!!

Unfortunately, Ebony's journey will end hear but look out 2016!

Advances to Finals:

Sanya Richards-Ross (St. Thomas Aquinas, Nike) 50.81.

Does not Advance:

Ebony Eutsey (Miami Southridge, UF) 53.22.

Mens Decathlon

The second and final day of the Mens Decathlon wrapped up on Saturday, and University of Florida alum Gray Horn ended up in third place with 7,954 points. The bronze medal came on the back of 900-point performances in the long jump, 110 hurdles, and pole vault.

However, despite the third place finish, Gray will not compete on the London Olympics since he did not meet the Olympic A Standard of 8,200 points. In theory, if he met that mark between now and the Olympics he could be on the plane. That is unlikely though. Great job none the less!

Florida Summary for Friday June 22

Men 400 Meters Prelims

Tony McQuay was the top Floridian qualifier in the rainy first round of the prelims. He won the second heat with a time of 45.41 (third fastest on the day) and said he did not let the weather get to him., saying “It doesn’t matter.  I train in cold weather, and train in heat.”

He said he was happy with his controlled effort, “My main goal was to qualify. I got going well, and worked the turn well... I ran long and hard. The competition is fun. This is a dream of mine. My parents are here so I want to make them proud.”

Jacksonville Andrew Jackson alum Torrin Lawrence also felt good about his heat-winning 45.82. He said, “I feel good. There was a lot of competition to get me through the race... My coach wanted me to train in all conditions so it wasn’t too difficult. Not as difficult as you would think.”

Who advanced: 

Tony McQuay (UF) 45.41, Torrin Lawrence (Andrew Jackson, UGA) 45.82, Calvin Smith (Tampa Freedom, UF, adidas) 45.94.

Who did not:

Jamaal Torrence (Evans, Nike) 46.74, Brandon O'Connor (Miami) DNS.

Third Party Coverage

Women 400 Meters Prelims

St. Thomas Aquinas alum, Olympic gold medalist and Florida 400m record-holder, Sanya Richards-Ross, executed well in her 51.69 performance to win her heat and advance to the next round. She is eager to make it back to the Olympics to earn some more hardware. She already has three Olympic medals.

“I feel good; I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to start the journey to my third Olympic games," she said, “I got out hard and made it easy coming home... (in the semi-finals) I will turn it up another notch and push it for the last 300, so then I can coast it up.”

Who advanced:

Sanya Richards-Ross (St. Thomas Aquinas, Nike) 51.69, Ebony Eutsey (Miami Southridge, UF) 53.20

Who did not:

Brianna Frazier (Raines, UNF) 54.33.

Third Party Coverage

Women 100 Meter Hurdles Prelims

Miami Northwestern alum, Brianna Rollins, won her heat in a stellar 12.88 effort despite the sloppy weather. She said she was honored to be among all of the greats.

“It’s a wonderful feeling being out here with the best in the nation.”

She can now be considered among them, as she advances with the fourth fastest qualifying time. Shout out to Kellie Wells also, who is training at Clermont, and was the fastest qualifier with a 12.68.

Who advanced:

Brianna Rollins (Miami Northwestern, Clemson) 12.88, Loreal Smith (Rickards, NC A&T) 13.09

Who did not:

Jacquelyn Coward (UCF) 13.27, Crystal Bardge (Wolfson, Embry-Riddle) 13.39, Shericka Ward (Leesburg, Villanova) FS

Third Party Coverage

Men Long Jump

Maquise Dendy of the University of Florida advanced... and he was lucky he did! He only landed one clean jump, but that jump was good enough for 7.73 meters (25-4.5).

Who advanced:

Marquis Dendy (UF) 25-3.5

More Coverage

Women 100 Meter Dash

Octavious Freeman ran a wind legal 11.20 to win her heat and advance as the fifth overall seed. Barbara Pierre also scotted through as the 19th seed, finishing fourth in a very tough heat one.

Who advanced:

Octavious Freeman (Lake Wales, UCF) 11.20, Aurieyall Scott (UCF) 11.31, Barbara Pierre (Oak Ridge, St. Augustine University) 11.41

More Coverage