Jeff Demps, recent graduate of South Lake HS and soon-to-be Florida Gator, is competing today at the Olympic Trials in Oregon. Out of the second heat of the first round, he advanced to the quarterfinals with a time of 10.12. The time of 10.03 he ran two weeks ago in Clermont was the best time in the history of the state (and the nation) for a high schooler, but the wind guage put him just above the legal limit--negating his record.
However, with the wind legal tonight in Eugene, Oregon and the clock reading 10.12, Jeff holds the uncontested #1 spot on Florida's all-time 100 meter dash list. Ironically, he unseats another athlete who 32 years ago was competing at this same meet. The previous record by Houston McTear was set at the 1976 Trials at 10.16. Jeff's time also puts him #2 All-Time in the nation for a wind legal time. Congrats, Jeff!
Demps will compete in the quarterfinals tonight (Saturday) around 8PM Eastern Time. Other Florida natives to advance in the 100 meters include: Walter Dix (Coral Springs/FSU) 9.96, John Capel (Hernando/UF) 10.16, and Xavier Carter (Palm Bay/LSU) 10.14.
