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Gator sprinter Tony McQuay headed to London on US Olympic team

 
Published June 25, 2012

mcquay_mug.jpgFlorida sprinter Tony McQuay will represent the United States in the 2012 Olympics in London after earning a silver medal in the men's 400 meters on Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

McQuay is the three-time NCAA Champion who helped lead the Gators to the men's NCAA Track and Field title earlier this month.

Former Gator football player and sprinter Jeff Demps came in second in his men's 100 meters semifinal and fourth overall (10.10) to automatically qualify for the final as the only collegian to advance. But Demps finished seventh overall in 10.27 in the final.

McQuay turned in a personal-record and Florida school-record time of 44.49 on Sunday to finish just behind LaShawn Merritt, who ran a world-leading 44.12 to earn the gold medal.

McQuay's time is the third-fastest in the world this year, finishing in front of USC's Bryshon Nellum, who ran 44.80 to capture the third spot for London.

Former Gator, NCAA Champion and All-American Will Claye also turned in a runner-up performance in the men's long jump, leaping 8.23m/27-0 (+2.3) to solidify his place on Team USA. It was Claye's sixth and final jump that earned him his spot.

Fellow Gator NCAA Champion and All-American Christian Taylor finished just outside medalist honors, placing fourth with his season-best jump of 8.12m/26-7.75.