UF Track & Field: Dendy Headed to Tokyo in the Long Jump

Courtesy of University Athletic Association

BY RICK HURTADO

Marquis Dendy is among the five Gators who will represent the U.S. in Tokyo

Gators Great Marquis Dendy secured his spot on Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics during the last day of competition at this year’s U.S. Olympic Trials inside Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Dendy finished second in the long jump after logging a season-best mark of 8.38 meters (27 feet, 6 inches) in his second attempt.

A two-time Olympian, Dendy qualified in 2016 for the Rio Olympics but was forced to withdraw weeks before the games began due to an injury.

In total, the Florida track and field program saw five Gators, current and past, become Olympians during this year’s U.S. Olympic Trials.

Gator Greats Will Claye and Cory McGee qualified for the Olympics on day four of the trials. McGee will head to the games to compete in the 1,500 meters, while Claye made the team for the third consecutive time in the triple jump.

Meanwhile, current Gator Taylor Manson finished seventh in the 400 meters, but was named to the 4×400 relay pool to make her first Olympic team.

Reigning world champion Grant Holloway also secured a spot on his first Olympic team. The 2019 The Bowerman winner logged a time of 12.81 seconds–the second-fastest time in world history–during the 110-meter hurdles semifinals. He then made it official in the finals with a time of 12.96 [+0.4] seconds, winning the event and punching his ticket to Tokyo.

The Tokyo Games are scheduled to open on July 23.