
KeAndre Bates is one of three collegians set to compete in the 12-man Olympic Trials long jump final.
Gators’ Trio of Quarter-Milers, Long Jumpers Advance at USATF Olympic Trials
Saturday, July 2, 2016 | Track and Field, Olympics
All six Gators who advanced today can secure Team USA berths with top-three finishes on Sunday
EUGENE, Ore. – For the second consecutive day, six current Gators and Gator alums advanced in their respective events at the United States Track and Field Olympic Trials at Historic Hayward Field.
UF saw three competitors advance in both the men's 400 meters and men's long jump.
Gator Great Tony McQuay (44.24 seconds) posted the top overall 400 semifinals time, while Najee Glass (44.79), who finished his collegiate career three weeks ago, logged the third-fastest time to secure their spots in the final. Glass' classmate, Arman Hall (45.33) also qualified for the final with the eighth-fastest time.
McQuay, the school record holder in the 400, is now the No. 5-ranked quarter-miler in the world this year. Glass' time matched the personal record he set at the 2015 Tom Jones Memorial, which remains the No. 3-ranked time in program history.
In the long jump, reigning Olympic bronze medalist Will Claye, rising junior KeAndre Bates, and defending American champion Marquis Dendy all placed in the top six to advance to Sunday's (July 3) final.
Claye's 8.14-meter leap was just a centimeter shy of the automatic qualifying mark, but comfortably nabbed second place. Bates (8.11 meters) topped his previous outdoor personal record by 14 centimeters to post the third-best jump of the afternoon and climb to No. 5 on UF's all-time outdoor top 10. Dendy, back in competition for the first time since injuring his ankle in late May, took sixth with an 8.05-meter jump.
Women's discus thrower Rachel Longfors ('06) was the only Gator in a final on Saturday (July 2). The six-time All-American took seventh place, her best finish at an Olympic Trials, and announced her retirement shortly thereafter.
At the Jamaican Olympic Trials, Gator Great Novlene Williams-Mills (50.89) took second place in her 400 meters semifinal heat and automatically advanced to tomorrow night's final.
Live television broadcasts and online streaming for the USATF Olympic Trials will be provided each day by NBC, NBC Sports Network, and NBC Sports Live Extra. Broadcast times and links can be found in the information below.
2016 USATF OLYMPIC TRIALS MEET INFORMATION (all times Eastern)
Notes: Bold italics denotes final; * - denotes prelim/qualifying; ^ - denotes semifinal; only finals listed from previous days of competition
QUOTES FROM THE GATORS
KeAndre Bates on what led to his massive personal record today…
"Ever since regionals I've been dialed in with my approach. I know how to run this now. When I got here, I already knew I was dialed in and had my approach down. I feel really good. My approach is down, I just need to make sure I run through it. I can get a little more out of it. It's my PR, but I think I can get a little more. We'll see."
Bates on handling the environment of Olympic Trials…
"First, I was thinking, oh wow, I've never jumped against Will Claye. I know him, but I've never jumped in the same event as him. Then Marquis (Dendy), Jeff Henderson, all those guys. Something just clicked and I stopped thinking about it. I just started focusing on my approach, how I was going to hit that board, and how I was going to land. I just focused."
Bates on competing in tomorrow's final…
"I'm going to go for it. I'm just worried about me. There's a chance. I'm coming out to make the Olympic team."
Marquis Dendy on how his ankle feels and whether or not today was mostly about testing it again…
"Today was a whole lot of rhythm work. I've been out of competition for a complete month. Took sixth with a nice, easy 8.05 (meters) jump. I didn't really put a lot of effort into it. I feel good. I know exactly where my marks should be."
Dendy on Will Claye qualifying for the final, KeAndre Bates' huge personal record, and tomorrow's final…
"I can't really expect anything else from the Gators. That's what I like to see. That's going to help me carry on for tomorrow, too. I'm even more excited for tomorrow's final. I really can't wait to move on to the final day, take care of myself a whole lot, eat my pizza, and definitely move on."
Najee Glass on advancing to the 400 meters final…
"It's been my dream for Gino (Hall) and I to be in the Olympics together, and now we're one step closer to achieving both of our dreams. I'm so excited and so honored. It's such a privilege. I'm just so happy and I'm excited for tomorrow. And to be with my best friend, Gino, I can't wait."
Glass on breaking 45 seconds for the first time in over a year…
"Clearly I'm super happy I got the 44 again. I haven't had the best season collegiately, so just to come to Olympic Trials and get the 44 again, I can only get better from here. It's just so exciting. I'm just ready."
Arman Hall on his race today…
"I went out a little bit too hard, the first part. But I made it back (to the final), so that's really all that matters. I get another chance."
Rachel Longfors on her final throw of the competition, which will also be the final throw of her career…
"It was a lot of mixed emotions. But it was a nice finish to my career. That's all I can tell you."
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators; #GatorsAlways; #TrackTown16; #PushTheButton
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Official Gators Olympics Social Media
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UF saw three competitors advance in both the men's 400 meters and men's long jump.
Gator Great Tony McQuay (44.24 seconds) posted the top overall 400 semifinals time, while Najee Glass (44.79), who finished his collegiate career three weeks ago, logged the third-fastest time to secure their spots in the final. Glass' classmate, Arman Hall (45.33) also qualified for the final with the eighth-fastest time.
McQuay, the school record holder in the 400, is now the No. 5-ranked quarter-miler in the world this year. Glass' time matched the personal record he set at the 2015 Tom Jones Memorial, which remains the No. 3-ranked time in program history.
In the long jump, reigning Olympic bronze medalist Will Claye, rising junior KeAndre Bates, and defending American champion Marquis Dendy all placed in the top six to advance to Sunday's (July 3) final.
Claye's 8.14-meter leap was just a centimeter shy of the automatic qualifying mark, but comfortably nabbed second place. Bates (8.11 meters) topped his previous outdoor personal record by 14 centimeters to post the third-best jump of the afternoon and climb to No. 5 on UF's all-time outdoor top 10. Dendy, back in competition for the first time since injuring his ankle in late May, took sixth with an 8.05-meter jump.
Women's discus thrower Rachel Longfors ('06) was the only Gator in a final on Saturday (July 2). The six-time All-American took seventh place, her best finish at an Olympic Trials, and announced her retirement shortly thereafter.
At the Jamaican Olympic Trials, Gator Great Novlene Williams-Mills (50.89) took second place in her 400 meters semifinal heat and automatically advanced to tomorrow night's final.
Live television broadcasts and online streaming for the USATF Olympic Trials will be provided each day by NBC, NBC Sports Network, and NBC Sports Live Extra. Broadcast times and links can be found in the information below.
2016 USATF OLYMPIC TRIALS MEET INFORMATION (all times Eastern)
- Live Results (USATF)
- FEATURE: Arman Hall's Month Away from Track Led to Resurgence
- READ: Day One Recap
- Venue: Historic Hayward Field (Eugene, Ore.)
- Complete Meet Schedule
Television Broadcast Schedule | |
Date | Time (Network & Streaming Link) |
Sunday, July 3rd (Day Three) | 1-7 p.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra) |
Sunday, July 3rd (Day Three) | 7-9 p.m. (NBC) |
Monday, July 4th (Day Four) | 6:30-7 p.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra) |
Monday, July 4th (Day Four) | 7-9 p.m. (NBC Sports Network) |
Thursday, July 7th (Day Seven) | 6:30-8 p.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra) |
Thursday, July 7th (Day Seven) | 8-11 p.m. (NBC Sports Network) |
Friday, July 8th (Day Eight) | 6-8 p.m. (NBC Sports Network) |
Friday, July 8th (Day Eight) | 8-9 p.m. (NBC) |
Saturday, July 9th (Day Nine) | 6:30-8 p.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra) |
Saturday, July 9th (Day Nine) | 8-9 p.m. (NBC) |
Sunday, July 10th (Day Ten) | 4:45-6 p.m. (NBC Sports Live Extra) |
Sunday, July 10th (Day Ten) | 7-8:30 p.m. (NBC) |
Day Two – Saturday, July 2nd | |
Event | Place, Athlete – Time/Mark [Wind] | Notes |
DT (W) | 7. Rachel Longfors – 58.87 meters (193-1) |
100m (W)* | 25. Shayla Sanders – 11.32 [+1.8] |
100m (M)* | 22. Noah Lyles – 10.16 [+1.8] |
27. Jeff Demps – 10.20 [+1.2] | |
400m (W)^ | 11. Robin Reynolds – 51.91 |
12. Ebony Eutsey – 52.26 | |
LJ (M)* | 2. Will Claye – 8.14 meters (26-8.5) [+1.0] | Advanced to final |
3. KeAndre Bates – 8.11 meters (26-7.25) [+1.0] | No. 5-ranked mark on UF's all-time outdoor top 10; advanced to final | |
6. Marquis Dendy – 8.05 meters (26-5) [+1.8] | Advanced to final | |
400m (M)^ | 1. Tony McQuay – 44.24 | Topped previous personal record from 2013 by 0.16 seconds; advanced to final (automatic) |
3. Najee Glass – 44.79 | Tied personal record; advanced to final (automatic) | |
8. Arman Hall – 45.33 | Advanced to final (automatic) |
Day Three – Sunday, July 3rd | |
Time | Athlete – Event |
7:15 p.m. | KeAndre Bates; Will Claye; Marquis Dendy – Men's Long Jump |
7:48 p.m. | Najee Glass; Arman Hall; Tony McQuay – Men's 400 meters |
Day Four – Monday, July 4th | |
Time | Athlete – Event |
7:15 p.m. | Ciarra Brewer; Darrielle McQueen – Women's Triple Jump (Prelims) |
7:33 p.m. | Mark Parrish – Men's 3,000-meter Steeplechase (Prelims) |
Day Seven – Thursday, July 7th | |
Time | Athlete – Event |
6:30 p.m. | Fawn Miller – Women's Javelin Throw (Prelims) |
7:45 p.m. | KeAndre Bates; Will Claye; Omar Craddock; Christian Taylor – Men's Triple Jump (Prelims) |
8:02 p.m. | Bridgette Owens – Women's 100-meter Hurdles (Prelims) |
8:30 p.m. | Ryan Clark; Noah Lyles – Men's 200 meters (Prelims) |
8:58 p.m. | Claudia Francis – Women's 400-meter Hurdles (Prelims) |
9:26 p.m. | Cory McGee – Women's 1,500 meters (Prelims) |
9:30 p.m. | Ciarra Brewer; Darrielle McQueen – Women's Triple Jump |
9:53 p.m. | Kerron Clement; Eric Futch; TJ Holmes – Men's 400-meter Hurdles (Prelims) |
Day Eight – Friday, July 8th | |
Time | Athlete – Event |
6:30 p.m. | Kyra Jefferson – Women's 200 meters (Prelims) |
6:58 p.m. | Bridgette Owens – Women's 100-meter Hurdles (Semifinals) |
7:31 p.m. | Claudia Francis – Women's 400-meter Hurdles (Semifinals) |
7:47 p.m. | Kerron Clement; Eric Futch; TJ Holmes – Men's 400-meter Hurdles (Semifinals) |
8:03 p.m. | Cory McGee – Women's 1,500 meters (Semifinals) |
8:23 p.m. | Mark Parrish – Men's 3,000-meter Steeplechase |
8:37 p.m. | Ryan Clark; Noah Lyles – Men's 200 meters (Semifinals) |
8:54 p.m. | Bridgette Owens – Women's 100-meter Hurdles |
Day Nine – Saturday, July 9th | |
Time | Athlete – Event |
7:00 p.m. | Fawn Miller – Women's Javelin Throw |
7:15 p.m. | KeAndre Bates; Will Claye; Omar Craddock; Christian Taylor – Men's Triple Jump |
8:03 p.m. | Kyra Jefferson – Women's 200 meters (Semifinals) |
8:42 p.m. | Ryan Clark; Noah Lyles – Men's 200 meters |
Day Ten – Sunday, July 10th | |
Time | Athlete – Event |
7:03 p.m. | Claudia Francis – Women's 400-meter Hurdles |
7:51 p.m. | Kerron Clement; Eric Futch; TJ Holmes – Men's 400-meter Hurdles |
8:00 p.m. | Cory McGee – Women's 1,500 meters |
8:11 p.m. | Kyra Jefferson – Women's 200 meters |
QUOTES FROM THE GATORS
KeAndre Bates on what led to his massive personal record today…
"Ever since regionals I've been dialed in with my approach. I know how to run this now. When I got here, I already knew I was dialed in and had my approach down. I feel really good. My approach is down, I just need to make sure I run through it. I can get a little more out of it. It's my PR, but I think I can get a little more. We'll see."
Bates on handling the environment of Olympic Trials…
"First, I was thinking, oh wow, I've never jumped against Will Claye. I know him, but I've never jumped in the same event as him. Then Marquis (Dendy), Jeff Henderson, all those guys. Something just clicked and I stopped thinking about it. I just started focusing on my approach, how I was going to hit that board, and how I was going to land. I just focused."
Bates on competing in tomorrow's final…
"I'm going to go for it. I'm just worried about me. There's a chance. I'm coming out to make the Olympic team."
Marquis Dendy on how his ankle feels and whether or not today was mostly about testing it again…
"Today was a whole lot of rhythm work. I've been out of competition for a complete month. Took sixth with a nice, easy 8.05 (meters) jump. I didn't really put a lot of effort into it. I feel good. I know exactly where my marks should be."
Dendy on Will Claye qualifying for the final, KeAndre Bates' huge personal record, and tomorrow's final…
"I can't really expect anything else from the Gators. That's what I like to see. That's going to help me carry on for tomorrow, too. I'm even more excited for tomorrow's final. I really can't wait to move on to the final day, take care of myself a whole lot, eat my pizza, and definitely move on."
Najee Glass on advancing to the 400 meters final…
"It's been my dream for Gino (Hall) and I to be in the Olympics together, and now we're one step closer to achieving both of our dreams. I'm so excited and so honored. It's such a privilege. I'm just so happy and I'm excited for tomorrow. And to be with my best friend, Gino, I can't wait."
Glass on breaking 45 seconds for the first time in over a year…
"Clearly I'm super happy I got the 44 again. I haven't had the best season collegiately, so just to come to Olympic Trials and get the 44 again, I can only get better from here. It's just so exciting. I'm just ready."
Arman Hall on his race today…
"I went out a little bit too hard, the first part. But I made it back (to the final), so that's really all that matters. I get another chance."
Rachel Longfors on her final throw of the competition, which will also be the final throw of her career…
"It was a lot of mixed emotions. But it was a nice finish to my career. That's all I can tell you."
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators; #GatorsAlways; #TrackTown16; #PushTheButton
Follow all our Olympic Gators in Rio
- Gators Competing at the 2016 Olympic Games
- Previous Gator Olympic Rosters
- Gators History at the Olympic Games (PDF)
Official Gators Olympics Social Media
@GatorsOlympics on Twitter | Gators Olympics on Facebook | #GatorsAlways
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