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After their first official outdoor meet last week at the UCF Black and Gold Challenge, the majority of the Florida track and field squad will open up this weekend at either the Power Conference Cardinal & Gold Challenge at the University of Southern California or the Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State.
In Los Angeles a large majority of the sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers will compete against the University of Southern California, University of Texas and Ohio State; all which are ranked in the top 16 of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Preseason Team Rankings.
On the East Coast a few of the distance runners will compete at the Raleigh Relays, hosted by North Carolina State. Redshirt Seniors Eddie Garcia and Jimmy Clark, as well as redshirt sophomore Carlos Miranda will race the 10,000 meters under the Friday night lights.
The men and women are currently both ranked third and tenth in the country, respectively. Head track and field Coach Mike Holloway feels that his teams are better outdoors as well and after an indoor season that did not reach their expectations they get to start with a clean slate this weekend. ” We train outdoors every day. We have more events that we’re more comfortable with”
Coach Holloway also is aware on Senior Arman Hall’s goals for this year, despite getting injured during the indoor season.
The meets this weekend are not only important as the first outdoor competitions of the season for many athletes, but also a nice set up for the big Florida Relays meet. “It’s one of the biggest meets of the year at any level” Holloway said. The Gators will host the relays next weekend at Pearcy Beard Track.
