Back for Redemption: Clark, Garcia Lead Stronger, More Experienced Gators Following Redshirt Seasons
Tuesday, September 1, 2015 | Cross Country
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Following a season of sacrifice, maturation and difficult lessons, the Florida men's cross country team is aiming to carve out a legacy in 2015.
The sacrifice came during the 2014 offseason, when seniors Jimmy Clark and Eddie Garcia opted to redshirt.
Paul Spangler, the Gators' assistant cross country coach, knew the team would take a hit without its top two runners. However, the long-term potential for success outweighed any immediate gratification that could be gained. Clark and Garcia, roommates for the past four years, shared Spangler's view.
“They were very receptive to it, because they have a fifth year of track (in 2016),” said Spangler, entering his fourth season at Florida. “We felt like we could be decent last year with those guys, but we could be a lot better this year having those two back, along with the development of the guys behind them. I think in the back of their minds they wanted to do it.”
While the two couldn't be happier with how things have played out, last year was not easy to endure. This is where the maturation was forged and the difficult lessons were learned.
Florida finished 10th at the SEC Championships and eighth at the NCAA South Region Championship. Previously, the program had not finished outside the top five at either meet since 1996.
Clark and Garcia could only watch.
Today, both insist the adversity their teammates faced has enhanced everyone's resolve, strengthening them, driving them to avoid a repetition of last season.
“It was not the season anyone had in mind,” said Clark, a three-time USTFCCCA All-South Region honoree. “But I also think it was a great season for the younger guys because they really matured; they got a chance to be the leaders of the team. It gave them a lot of experience and will go a long way in the future.”
Although Clark has enjoyed the more decorated career to this point, Garcia, a two-time USTFCCCA All-South Region selection, enters this season riding the momentum of his victory in the 10,000 meters at the 2015 SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. And Garcia is ready to prove he's in fantastic shape.
“I'm extremely excited,” Garcia said. “Just being able to travel again, wear that uniform with Florida across our chest, it's a great honor.”
With the duo back in the fold this fall, the Gators—ranked third in the South Region by the USTFCCCA, as well as the SEC by the league's coaches this preseason—fit the mold of a championship contender.
They've got experience, leadership, and motivation. Their depth is better than ever, too.
Simply cracking the lineup and scoring at meets will be a vigorous battle between teammates.
Senior Elliott Clemente, junior Carlos Miranda, and redshirt junior Mac Reynolds, three of UF's four highest finishers at the 2014 NCAA South Regional Championship, headline the strong contingent of returning runners. One of those three appears primed for a breakout campaign.
“I'm expecting big things out of Carlos. I think he will have a very good season,” Spangler said. “After Carlos, I think we have a lot of guys who can step into those No. 4 and No. 5 spots. I know we probably have seven or eight guys who could be our fourth or fifth runner.
“That's a pretty good situation.”
Then there's the impressive nine-man recruiting haul the Gators brought in this summer.
“Jack Guyton, Nick Diaz, Connor Vaughan, those three guys are probably some of the best (high school) guys in the country, certainly the best in the state,” Spangler said. “You'd probably have to go back a long ways to find as good of a recruiting class as this. It's a very talented group; certainly the most talented group of freshmen that I've had here on the men's side.”
Having this many newcomers on a team is quite rare. Everyone has been embracing the experience, soaking in the energetic vibe the group is providing during training sessions.
“Eddie and I have seen tremendous potential in all the freshmen that came in this year,” Clark said. “A majority of them were here this summer. They were able to run with upperclassmen; that's huge for them. “They all have high expectations for themselves and have bought into the team aspect. They've pushed everyone else.
“If you're a sophomore or junior, you don't want to get beat by the freshmen. For them to come in and compete the way they have, it's just made everyone on the team better.”
Promise in practice is one thing for freshmen. Adapting physically to tougher courses, mentally adjusting to no longer being their team's top runner or leading races from start to finish, and still clocking times good enough to score is something else altogether.
But Spangler is sure the freshmen will have their moments. He also believes Mac Macoy, who redshirted as a freshman last year, and Australian graduate transfer Charles Chambers, can make an impact as the Gators hit the meat of their schedule in mid-October.
“I think we could see a lot of movement in the top seven as the season goes along,” Spangler said.
As for the schedule, a trip to the mountains for the Appalachian State Invitational (Sept. 4) and hosting the Mountain Dew Invitational (Sept. 19) will allow Florida to slowly build up to meets with at-large scoring opportunities for the postseason. Those meets include the Notre Dame Invitational (Oct. 2) and Pre-Nationals (Oct. 17).
After that, the SEC Championships (Oct. 30) and NCAA South Regional Championship (Nov. 13) await.
“Year in and year out, our goal is to contend for an SEC title and qualify for the NCAA Championships. The SEC, up front, is going to be pretty tough,” Spangler said. “We have to do our part to put ourselves in position.”
Clark insists the Gators are looking to do much more than just contend.
“I really want an SEC title. We've been second place so many times. It's just so frustrating to be second place,” Clark said. “We are tired of that.
“We really want to get that championship and say that we were the first team since 1987 to win an SEC title.”
