Dendy Finishes Career in Rarefied Air
Saturday, June 13, 2015 | Track and Field
By Will Pantages
UAA Communications
EUGENE, Ore. – “I think Marquis Dendy is arguably the best combination jumper to come out of the University of Florida.”
Wow. That powerful statement came from University of Florida Head Coach Mike Holloway, who's revolutionized the jumps program at UF since he took over the program in 2008.
UF senior Marquis Dendy is just the latest in a long line of Florida long and triple jumpers that include Olympic medalists Christian Taylor and Will Claye, and US National Champion Omar Craddock. Collectively, Claye, Craddock and Taylor combined for eight national titles and numerous All-America honors during their collegiate careers at Florida.
Don't worry, there's strong evidence to back up Holloway's statement.
Following Day 3 of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Dendy finished his career with seven national titles, 13 All-America honors and seven Southeastern Conference Championships between the long and triple jump events. He's swept both at every championship meet since 2014 NCAA Outdoors, including 2015 SEC and NCAA Indoors, SEC and NCAA Outdoors.
In addition, the Middletown, Del., product was the 2015 USTFCCCA Indoor National Field Athlete of the Year and the SEC and USTFCCCA Outdoor Regional Field Athlete of the Year.
He's also the first Gator to ever win a long jump NCAA crown.
That statement from Holloway doesn't seem too crazy now, right?
Add in that Holloway helped coach and recruit all the aforementioned jumpers and it doesn't seem farfetched at all.
“That's just my honest opinion,” Holloway continued. “He battled through some injuries while he was here, but when that guy is healthy, he's one of the best I've ever seen. I'm just so proud of him.”
Dendy won the long jump on Wednesday night, but saved his best for last. In tonight's triple jump, he notched a mark of 57 feet, five inches in his first attempt, a mark that was wind legal, a school record and it ranks him third all-time in collegiate history.
Not to be outdone, Dendy recorded a mark of 57' 6.5” in his first attempt of the finals and a leap of 58' 1.25” in the final jump of his career.
By the way, Dendy had already won the NCAA Championship before he recorded that 58-foot jump.
“After the jump, I knew that I sealed the win,” Dendy said with a smile. “Going into that attempt, my thought process was that this was going to be my last jump as a collegiate athlete, and I wanted to get a 58-foot mark. So I went after it and it felt so good when I landed it.”
Dendy's jump left UF assistant coach (jumps), Nic Petersen, speechless.
“I hate to steal this phrase from Coach Holloway,” Petersen explained. “But he is who he is, and he does what he does. He's fun to watch. He is also freakishly talented and a tremendous competitor. It doesn't matter where it's at, which jump it is in any competition, he's just going to compete. I'm so proud of the kid. He did what he came here to do.”
That feeling of respect and admiration is mutual between the two Gator coaches and Dendy.
“They are just amazing people, mentors and coaches,” Dendy explained. “Both Coach Holloway and Coach Petersen have always been in my corner and I have nothing but positive things to say about them.”
Prior to Holloway's arrival, the Gators had never won an NCAA outdoor long jump or triple jump championship. Florida has now won the last six triple jump titles, dating back to 2010, and the last two NCAA long jump crowns.
Christian Taylor began the triple jump streak in 2010 and 2011, it was then continued by Omar Craddock who two straight crowns (2012, 2013) and Dendy furthered the streak by winning the last two (2014, 2015).
The relationship Dendy has with his NCAA Champion predecessors is something he credits for all of his success.
“I learned a lot from those guys, especially Omar,” Dendy said. “He taught me to never back down or be afraid. Because of him, I'm not afraid of any competition and that mindset has helped me a lot.”
The run of six-straight triple jump titles is something that Holloway, Petersen and Dendy are all very proud of, but they all had the same reaction when asked about it.
It's time for freshman KeAndre Bates to carry the torch.
Each of them said it with a smile, but Dendy specifically is excited to share his experiences with Bates and help him continue the Florida tradition.
“I'm going to try to pass some wisdom on to KeAndre, just like Omar passed a lot of things on to me,” Dendy said in closing. “I just want to keep the Gator legacy going. That's really important to me.”
Dendy's legacy is one that won't be forgotten.
For a guy whose Twitter handle reads, “@CheckTheSky”.
The sky is the limit for his professional career.
