(Photo by John Calderon)
The University of Florida pulled in two of the top sprinters in the nation on Monday when Arman Hall and Robin Reynolds announced they would be headed to Gainesville.
Hall, a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas chose the Gators over a top five field that included Florida State, LSU, Mississippi State, and Alabama. He says his choice to head to UF was because of several factors.
"I committed because of the atmosphere, coaching, and athletes. They are all one big family."
During his high school career Hall has won numerous state championships including the 400 meters in 2011. He followed that performance up with a 400 meter gold at IAAF World Youth Championship in Lille, France. His time of 46.01 was a personal best and the top time worldwide in 2011 for a high school runner. He also was the anchor on the U.S sprint medley team that ran a world record time of 1:49.47. Those honors landed him on the cover of the prestigious Track and Field News.
At Florida, he will join a stellar group of Miami quarter-milers including Northwestern and Booker T. Washington alums Hugh Graham Jr. and Dedric Dukes.
Personal Bests
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100 Meter Dash10.64
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200 Meter Dash20.82
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400 Meter Dash46.01
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55 Meter Dash6.62
Arman's Athlete Profile
(Photo by John Calderon)
If that news wasn't good enough for Coach Mike Holloway and his staff the addition of Miami Jackson star Robin Reynolds must have put them on cloud nine. Reynolds has won eleven state championships during her three years in the green and gold. She won the Golden South Classic in 2010 and placed fourth in the 400 at the IAAF World Youth Championships in France with a personal best time of 52.72.
In an article last April, Reynolds' coach Donnell Jackson, hinted that his star pupil, a lifelong Gator fan, would be bound for Gainesville with a bright future ahead of her.
"“I think if Robin stays healthy that goal of 15, four her junior and four her senior year, is within her grabs. I see her going to the University of Florida and being on a couple Olympic teams down the road."
Reynolds has competed in the Junior Olympics the past two summers and plans to qualify for the Olympic Trials next summer.
Personal Bests
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100 Meter Dash11.56
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200 Meter Dash23.60
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400 Meter Dash52.72
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Long Jump19-11