Bye Bye Baylor: TJ Holmes Coming Home, Transfers To Florida



They say home is where the heart is and that couldn't be more true than for Baylor freshman hurdler T.J. Holmes. Holmes selected the Bears over the University of Florida coming out of high school in 2013 and was reunited with childhood friend and teammate Trayvon Bromell. He finished fourth at the NCAA Championships in the 400m hurdles and as the second leg of the schools 7th place 4x400m relay and concluded his season with a gold medal at the USATF Junior Nationals and a bronze at the 2014 IAAF World Championships (pictured above). Recently, he announced that he wanted to be closer to home for the remainder of his college career.

"I've been thinking about it for a while. I want my family to be able to come to the meets and see me run. All my meets this year were in Texas basically and it's really expensive to travel here.I think going to UF will help me become a better hurdler. I'm very thankful for the opportunity Baylor gave me allowing me to run for them.  I had a great season, but I thank this is the best decision to better my future."

One person who is definitely in favor of this decision is his mother, Elizabeth Carswell.  She says she is very excited for her son to come back to Florida, but like Holmes is very thankful for the opportunities he was given at Baylor.

"The distance was so far away. Now family will be able to attend his track meets. We are so grateful and thankful for Baylor for what they have done for my son and the great experience he has had there. Baylor was a blessing to my son. I am humbly thankful. "

Baylor granted Holmes a release, meaning he will be eligible to join the Gators track and field team right away. Florida loses their top hurdler Eddie Lovett to graduation and will have several sophomores and juniors looking to fill that gap, but their best chance in regaining those points could be with their newest addition. The former Lakewood High School athlete says he will be running the 60m hurdles and 4x4 indoor and outdoor is running the 110m hurdles,400m  hurdles and 4x4, but not at every meet to make sure he doesn't get hurt and stays healthy.

"I just want to thank God for giving me another opportunity and thank you to everyone for supporting me. My goals at Florida are to get a PR next year of 48 high or 49 low in the 400m hurdles. I will keep working hard and encourage them to do the same."
 

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