Current and former UF athletes headed to Tokyo Olympics
Alan FestoThe University of Florida will be well represented at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, which begin July 23.
Swimming sensation Caeleb Dressel will lead a congregation of Gators with gold-medal aspirations. While Dressel broke Michael Phelps' record of eight total medals at the 2019 world championships in South Korea, he has yet to earn an individual Olympic gold medal.
On the track, Grant Holloway hopes to bring home gold in the 110m hurdles. In the semifinals of the US Olympic Trials, Holloway finished in 12.81 seconds — the second-fastest time in world history.
Several UF athletes will represent other countries, including swimmer Eric Friese for Germany, jump specialist Yanis David for France and steeplechase runner Genevieve LaCaze Gregson for Australia, among others.
Florida also will have two coaches representing Team USA in Tokyo: Mike Hollowayis the head men's track and field coach, and Anthony Nesty will serve as an assistant coach for men's swimming.
A complete look at past and current UF athletes who will compete at the Olympics:
SWIMMING
Caeleb Dressel
Events: 50 free, 100 free, 100 fly, 4x100 free relay
How qualified: Tied the American record in the 50 free (21.04) and the US record in the 100 free (47.39) at the US Olympic Trials. Finished first in the 100 fly (49.87).
Tokyo schedule: 50 free – Heats July 30, Semifinals July 31, Finals Aug, 1. 100 free – Heats July 27, Semifinals July 28, Finals July 29. 100 fly – Heats July 29, Semifinals July 30, Final July 31. 4x100 relays – Heats July 25, Final July 26.
UF career: A 10-time NCAA champion and 28-time All-American (the most that can be achieved in a four-year career). Selected first team All-SEC all four years, and was named SEC Male Swimmer of the Year for 2016, 2017 and 2018. The two-time Olympic gold medalist holds school records in five individual events and four relays.
Hometown/High school: Green Cove Springs/Clay
A look at Dressel:Caeleb Dressel: The Olympic swimmer's career in pictures
Kieran Smith
Events: 200 free, 400 free, 4x200 free relay
How qualified: Finished first in the 400 free (3:44.86) and 200 free (1:45.29) at the US Olympic Trials.
Tokyo schedule: 200 free - Heats July 25, Semifinals July 26, Finals July 27. 400 free - heats July 24, Finals July 25. 4x200 relay - Heats July 27, Finals July 28.
UF career: The 14-time All-American was named the 2020 SEC Male Swimmer of the Year. Holds three UF and SEC records (500 free, 200 free, 800 free). Repeated as SEC Male Swimmer of the Year this spring as a junior.
Hometown/High school: Ridgefield, Connecticut/Ridgefield
First in the pool:Kieran Smith is first Gator to qualify for U.S. Olympic Swim Team
Bobby Finke
Events: 800 free, 1,500 free
How qualified: Finished first in the 800 free (7:48.22) and the 1,500 free (14:46.06) at the US Olympic Trials.
Tokyo schedule: 800 free - Heats July 27, Finals July 29. 1,500 free - Heats July 30, Finals Aug. 1
UF career: The four-time All-American won the 2020 SEC championship in the 1,650m free with an American record time of 14:12.08.
Hometown/High school: Clearwater/Countryside
Joining Dressel:Gator junior Bobby Finke earns Olympic berth
Natalie Hinds
Events: 4x100 free relay
How qualified: Finished fourth in the 100m free (53.84) at the US Olympic Trials.
Tokyo schedule: 100 free relay - Heats July 24, Finals July 25
UF career: A 20-time All-American, this is the first Olympics for the 27-year-old. Won the 2015 and 2016 SEC championship in the 100m free.
Hometown/High school: Midland, Texas/Midland
David Whitley:Whitley's Believe It Or Not: Gators are America's greatest swimming hopes
Eric Friese
Events: 4x100 free relay
How qualified: Will represent Germany after swimming a personal best 49.05 in the 100 free at the 2021 TYR Pro Swim Series, putting him in a tie for third in Germany in the event.
Tokyo schedule: 100 free relay - Heats July 25, Finals July 26
UF career: The three-time All-American was named to the 2020 SEC All-Freshman team and the 2020 All-SEC second team.
Hometown/High school: Potsdam, Germany/ Elite School of Sport Friedrich Ludwig Jahn
Alfonso Mestre
Events: 800 free
How Qualified: Will represent Venezuela after posting a qualifying time of 7:50.81. Minimum qualifying time was 7:54.31
Tokyo schedule: 800 free - Heats July 27, Finals July 29
UF career: The sophomore set four career-bests last fall at the Auburn Invite in the 100 free (44.90), 200 free (1:37.02), 500 free 4:18.14) and 200 fly (1:48.28).
Hometown/High school: Pottstown, Pennsylvania/The Hill School
Enzo Martinez-Scarpe
Events: 50 free
How qualified: Will represent Uruguay after leading the country in points earned during the 2020-21 season. Most recently finished fifth in the 50 free in the CA MVN Fran Crippen Time Trials June 24-27.
Tokyo schedule: 50 free – Heats July 30, Semifinals July 31, Finals Aug, 1.
UF career: The two-time All-American won the 2018 national championship in the 200 free with a time of 1:14.39, which is also a UF record. Was named to the 2017 All-SEC first team and the 2018 All-SEC second team.
Hometown/High school: Maldonado, Uruguay/ Instituto Habilitado Hermanas Capuchinas
Amro Al-Wir
Events: 200m breast
How qualified: Will represent Jordan. Swam a personal best 2:12.40 in the 200 breast at the Indianapolis stop of the 2021 Pro Swim Series in May
Tokyo schedule: 200m breast - Heats July 27 Heats, Semifinals July 28, Finals July 29.
UF career: The freshman set career bests at the Auburn Invite in the 100 breast, 200 breast and 200 IM.
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
TRACK & FIELD
Grant Holloway
Events: 110m hurdles
How Qualified: Won the US Olympic Trials semifinals with a time of 12.81 seconds — the second-fastest time in world history — before winning the finals with a time of 12.96.
Tokyo schedule: 110 hurdles – First Round Aug. 3, Semifinals Aug. 4, Finals Aug. 5.
UF career: Owns a school-record eight NCAA championships, including three straight in the 110-meter and 60-meter hurdles (2017-2019). Also won titles in the 2019 60 meters and 2019 4x100 relay. In 2019 was named the USTFCCCA National Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
Hometown/High school: Chesapeake, Virginia/Grassfield
Tokyo-bound:Former Florida Gators standout Grant Holloway clinches Olympics berth
Will Claye
Events: Triple Jump
How Qualified: Finished first at the US Olympic Trials with a mark of 56-5 ¾.
Tokyo schedule: Triple Jump – Qualifying Round Aug. 3 , Final Aug. 5.
UF career: The Oklahoma transfer attended UF 2010-11. Won six major triple jump titles, including the NCAA title during his collegiate career.
Hometown/High school: Phoenix, Arizona/ Mountain Pointe
Cory McGee
Events: 1,500m
How Qualified: Finished second at the US Olympic Trials with a time 4:00.67
Tokyo schedule: 1,500m – Round 1 Aug. 2, Semifinals Aug. 4, Finals Aug. 6.
UF career: The 10-time All-American holds the Florida record in the women’s 1,500 meters. Also the 2013 runner-up for the SEC Commissioner’s Trophy indoors, and NCAA runner-up outdoors in the 1,500 meters.
Hometown/High school: Pass Christian, Mississippi/Pass Christian
On their way:Gators' Will Claye, Cory McGee earn Olympic Team berths in track and field
Marquis Dendy
Events: Long jump
How Qualified: Finished second in the long jump after leaping a season-best 27 feet, 6 inches in his second attempt at the US Olympic Trials.
Tokyo schedule: Long Jump - Qualifying Round July 31, Finals Aug. 2.
UF career: Four-time NCAA Division I Outdoor national champion (2 long jump, 2 triple jump) and three-time NCAA Indoor Division I national champion (2 long jump, 1 triple jump).
Hometown/High school: Middletown, Delaware/Middletown
Jumping into the games:Former UF standout Marquis Dendy headed to Tokyo in the long jump
Taylor Manson
Events: 4x400 relay pool
How Qualified: Finished seventh in the 400 meters, but was named to the relay pool.
Tokyo schedule: 4x400 relay – Round 1 Aug. 5, Finals Aug. 7.
UF career: Named 2021 Indoor first-team All-American in the 4x400 and second team All-American in the 400m.
Hometown/High school: East Lansing, Michigan/ East Lansing
Yanis David
Events: Long jump, triple jump
How Qualified: Will represent France.
Tokyo schedule: Long jump - Qualifying Round Aug. 1, Finals Aug. 3. Triple jump - Qualifying Round July 30 , Finals Aug. 1.
UF career: The 2019 Bowerman Finalist swept the SEC horizontal jumps in 2019, winning the indoor long jump and triple jump, along with the outdoor long jump and triple jump.
Hometown/High school: Lamentin, Guadeloupe/Cite Scolaire d'Excellence Sportive
Genevieve LaCaze Gregson
Events: 3,000m steeplechase
How qualified: Will represent Australia. Won the 3,000m steeplechase at the Australia Track & Field Championships in April.
Tokyo schedule: 3,000m steeplechase - Aug. 1 Opening Round, Aug. 4 Final
UF career: Attending from 2009-2012, Gregson became the first woman in SEC history to sweep the 1,500 meters, 3,000-meter steeplechase and 5,000 meters at the conference meet. Named co-SEC Runner of the Year during the outdoor season.
Hometown: Queensland, Australia
Joseph Fahnbulleh
Events: 200m
How qualified: Will represent Liberia
Tokyo schedule: 200m - Round 1 and Semifinals Aug. 3, Finals Aug. 4.
UF career: 2021 second-team All-SEC (200m silver medalist)
Hometown/High school: Hopkins, Minnesota/ Hopkins
Eddie Lovett
Events: 110m hurdles
How qualified: Will represent US Virgin Islands
Tokyo schedule: 110 hurdles – First Round Aug. 3, Semifinals Aug. 4, Finals Aug. 5.
UF career: Won the 2013 60m hurdles title at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 7.50 seconds — a school record and fourth fastest time in NCAA history. NCAA runner-up in outdoors 110m hurdles.
Hometown/High school: West Palm Beach/Palm Beach Lakes
Hakim Sani Brown
Events: 200m
How qualified: Will represent Japan after another athlete was selected to the 4x100 relay.
Tokyo schedule: 200m - Round 1 and Semifinals Aug. 3, Finals Aug. 4.
UF career: In 2019 ran the second leg of Florida's 4x100 relay team, which won the NCAA title and set a collegiate record (37.97) at outdoor nationals. A two-time NCAA bronze medalist in the 100 (9.97) and 200 (20.08).
Hometown/High school: Tokyo, Japan/Josai Prep
Lloydricia Cameron
Events: Shot put
How qualified: Will represent Jamaica. Finished second at the recent JAAA Ministry of Sports/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships
Tokyo schedule: Shot put - Qualifying Round July 30, Finals Aug. 1.
UF career: Won the 2017 (indoor) and 2018 (outdoor) SEC titles in the shot put.
Hometown/High school: Miami/Northwestern
Doneisha Anderson
Events: 4x100m relay
How qualified: Will represent The Bahamas
Tokyo schedule: 4x100m relay - Round 1 Aug. 5, Finals Aug. 6.
UF career: 2021 first-team All-American (indoor) in the 4x400. Ran anchor for UF's 4x400 that finished sixth in the nation. Also earned All-American honors in 2019 and 2020.
Hometown/High school: Nassau, Bahamas/St. Augustine's College
Marija Vucenovic
Events: Javelin
How qualified: Will represent Serbia
Tokyo schedule: Javelin - Qualifications Aug. 3, Final Aug. 6.
UF career: The All-American javelin thrower finished runner up twice (2013, 2017) in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships. Only woman since 2005 to finish second or higher at four SEC Outdoor Championships.
Hometown/High school: Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia/Medical School Draginja Niksic
Andres Arroyo
Events: 800m
How qualified: Will represent Puerto Rico
Tokyo schedule: 800m - Heats July 31, Semifinals Aug. 1, Finals Aug. 4
UF career: Won the 2017 SEC indoor title in the 800m, and was a four-time indoor All-American and three-time outdoor All-American in the 800m.
Hometown/High school: Orlando/Colonial
SOFTBALL
Michelle Moultrie
Position: Outfielder
How qualified: Team selection
Tokyo schedule: Opening round starts July 21. Gold-medal game is July 27
UF career: SEC Player of Year as a senior in 2012. Three-time member of the All-SEC team. Holds Florida single-season records in on base percentage (.519), batting average (.443), triples (5) and stolen bases (31).
Hometown/High school: Jacksonville/Mandarin
More:Golden dreams: Mandarin's Michelle Moultrie pursues gold-medal chance with USA softball
Aubree Munro
Position: Catcher
How qualified: Team selection
Tokyo schedule: Opening round starts July 21. Gold-medal game is July 27
UF career: Was named to the 2016 All-SEC second team and the All-Defensive team. Committed just one error in her final two seasons (874 chances) and made only four miscues in 1,423 chances during her career.
Hometown/High school: Brea, California/Brea Olinda
Kelsey Stewart
Position: Infielder
How qualified: Team selection
Tokyo schedule: Opening round starts July 21. Gold-medal game is July 27
UF career: Named the 2015 SEC Player of the Year and an NFCA first team All-American. Led UF in seven career lists: batting average (.391), at-bats (914), runs scored (259), hits (357), triples (29), total bases (509) and stolen bases (113).
Hometown/High school: Wichita, Kansas/Maize
GOLF
Marife Torres
How qualified: The top-rated female player from Puerto Rico.
Tokyo schedule: 72 holes of individual stroke play run Aug. 4-7 at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama, Japan.
UF career: Named the 2016 SEC Golfer of the Year. Was named first-team SEC twice, and made the SEC All-Freshman team in 2014. Won five individual titles during her career, including the 2016 SEC Championships.
Hometown/High school: Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico/Cupeyville School
SOCCER
Deanne Rose
Position: Forward
How qualified: Selected to Team Canada
Tokyo schedule: Women’s soccer beings play July 21 with the gold-medal match set for Aug. 6
UF career: Named to the 2017 All-SEC first team and the SEC Freshman of the Year. Scored 19 goals during her career at Florida.
Hometown/High school: Alliston, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas
BASEBALL
Mark Kolozsvary
Position: Catcher
How qualified: Team selection
Tokyo schedule: USA opens July 30 against Israel; Aug. 7 gold-medal game
UF career: Hit .276 as a junior with three home runs and 26 RBIs. Was a member of the 2017 National Championship team.
Hometown/High school: Tavares/Tavares