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Boys - showcase for Bershawn Jackson
and Paul Cross
Girls - repeat title for Northwestern
Miami?
by Ricky Quintana
Boys
Introduction
The move from Gainesville was the best thing for the 4A classification
as
most of the powerful track schools are in the South Florida area.
The meet
attendance and atmosphere has been raised a notch despite the small
facility.
The 4 A State meet has traditonally been the best of all the classifications
in depth and performances of the runners and throwers, but the other
classes
have risen their standards and have taken away some of the luster
from this
classification.
The meet will provide a great competition and two of the nation’s
leaders in
Bershawn Jackson, my pick as Athlete of the Year, and Paul Cross.
4A boys
High Jump
Mukubu has been good for a long time. As a soph he took second and
last year
he won. This year he’ll be going for his second straight title.
He’s a big
time competitor and brings his “A” game to each state
meet. If he slips,
he’ll have three competitiors capable of taking the title from
him.
1 Sherrod, Brandon 12 Riverview (Riverview) 6-10.00 REGION 2
Collins, Tony 10 John I. Leonard 6-08.00 8
Wenbos Mukubu (MB) 7-0, REGION 4
Edwin Gelin (HIA) 6-8,
POLE VAULT
Miller had the best jump in the state, 15’7”, before Pelligrino’s
state meet
record jump in last week’s 2A state championships. He should
be motivated to
take a shot at the record in his final state meet. He may enter
after most
of the field has finished and the others may be relegated to watching
him go
after the record.
1 Brad Swartout 12 South Lake (Grovela 14'00.00" 10 region
1
1 Miller, Jon 12 Bloomingdale 14-06.00 10 REGION 2
2 Hendry, Thomas 11 St. Petersburg 14-00.00 8
1 Dowdall, Spencer CoralSprings 14-00.00 10 REGION 3
LONG JUMP
The field is so even anyone could win it.
1 Ronnell Sandy 12 Titusville High Sch 23'06.00" 10 REGION
1
2 Howard Lingard 11 Oviedo High School 23'01.50" 8
1 Perry, LaGrant 12 Santaluces 23-03.00 NWI 10 REGION 2
Justin Reems (CR) 23-1, REGION 4
TRIPLE JUMP
The most competitive field of all the state championship classifications.
The jumpers may push each other to a huge jump possibly over 48’.
I had to
put Bershawn Jackson in there. He will have a full plate as he shuttles
between the 110 and 300 hurdle qualifying while he’s jumping.
Oh... and he
may run a leg in the 1600m relay where his team will need him to
run a
monster leg to be in the mix.
1 Johnta Griffin 12 Oak Ridge (Orlando) 47'00.50" 10 region
1
1 Pryor, Marcus Carol City 47-03.00 10 REGION 3
2 Roper, Daniel 11 Plantation 47-01.50 8
3 Joseph, Gregory 12 BoydAnderson 45-10.25 6
Jaydian Miller (Killian) 47-5 1/2, REGION 4
James Summeral (Jackson) 46-7,
Glen Holt (North Miami) 45-9 3/4,
Bershawn Jackson Central 45-8;
DISCUS
Gordon has been throwing consistently over 160’ all season
and is primed to
bust one at the state meet in his home area. Boyd Anderson will
need him to
win this one and Coach Bowden’s troops point for the state
meet.
1 Quinton Black 12 Edgewater (Orlando) 160'00.00" 10 region
1
1 Gordon, Orlando 12 BoydAnderson 167-09.00 10 REGION 3
2 Brown, Antwan American 164-02.00 8
SHOT PUT
Knox has the best throw this year, but Gonzalez is close behind.
This one
may come down to the last throw.
1 Kyle Knox 12 Mandarin (Jacksonvi 51'05.50" 10
2 Quinton Black 12 Edgewater (Orlando) 51'01.25" 8
1 Reed, Mike 11 Vero Beach 52-05.00 10 REGION 2
2 Vavra, Samuel 12 Clearwater 51-03.25 8
1 Gonzalez, John Carol City 52-00.00 10 REGION 3
Torian Charles (NW) 52-10, REGION 4
110m HURDLES
Bershawn Jackson will start the boys meet off shortly after 7PM
looking to
set the tone for his teammates in what should a real battle for
the team
title. Jackson lost the 110 title to hurdle sensation Jason Stanley
last
year, but has grown taller and improved his technique in the short
sticks
race.
Coach Rolle always has his troops primed for sensational performances
at
state winning three consecutive titles until last year’s runner-up
finish.
This may be the end of an era for Central and his runners will not
want to
leave empty handed. As former Central runners have done at the state
meet,
Jackson will perform and keep his team in the thick of the race
going into
the final event.
1 Taylor, Joseph 11 Palm Beach Lakes 14.29 NWI 10 REGION 2
2 Perry, LaGrant 12 Santaluces 14.42 14.45 NWI 8
1 Tucker, Shawn Douglas 14.32 10 REGION 3
2 Burgess, Daryl 11 Norland 14.36 8
Bershawn Jackson Central 14.27, REGION 4
300M HURDLES
This will be the Bershawn Jackson show from the gun. He has always
thrived
in this race eating up the hurdles and winning the title last year
in 36.12
going away. He ran 35.39 at the GMAC Championships this year and
the
national record is in jeopardy as Jackson’s performances have
rarely fallen
off despite his daunting race schedule.
Berhsawn Jackson Central 36.87, REGION 4
100m DASH
The title will be a battle and this race brings out the best in
the fans and
the sprinters. It will be a tight at the finish with Singletary
getting a
slight nod.
1 Lester Singletary 12 Edgewater (Orlando) 10.71 10 region 1
1 Ray, Laphonso 12 Wharton 10.90 10.82 NWI 10 REGION 2
1 Moss, Sinorice 12 Carol City 10.83 10 REGION 3
2 Dix, Walter CoralSprings 10.84 8
3 George, Javaris Norland 10.87 6
Tavarous Zeigler (CG) 10.92, REGION 4
Travarous Bain (NW) 10.93,
Michael Durham (SR) 10.98,
200M
Santaluces Payne ran the fastest of all the regionals, but the others
are
close behind. Gibbs ninth grader Ethriga should be a treat to watch.
1 Lester Singletary 12 Edgewater (Orlando) 21.72 10 REGION 1
2 Ryan Moore 12 Dr. Phillips (Orlando) 21.79 8
1 Payne, Levi 12 Santaluces 21.75 21.47 NWI 10 REGION 2
2 Ethriga, Rashad 9 Gibbs 22.06 21.87 NWI 8
3 Ray, Laphonso 12 Wharton 21.93 21.97 NWI 6
400M
Jamall Torrance has coasted through most of the season winning handily
in
all, I believe, of his races. The question is, will he go under
47?
1 Jamall Torrance 12 Evans (Orlando) 47.14 10 REGION1
1 Payne, Levi 12 Santaluces 49.49 48.71 10 REGION 2
Devon Johnson (HS) 47.88, REGION 4
800M
Cross has picked up where he left off last year this season by continuing
to
run sensationally every time he steps on the track. I can’t
recall him
losing last season to a Florida High Schooler until the national
outdoor
meet where Danny Soule handed a broken armed Cross his first defeat
by a
Floridian. His only loss to a high schooler this year was to Richard
Smith
in the National Indoor meet in March.
Cross has also shown that he can run a good 1600m, winning the Mobile
Meet
of Champions 1600m and running a 4:12 leg on the DMR at the Florida
Relays.
He chose to not double in the 1600m/800m double before the state
series
began to give his team a chance in the 1600m relay. That plan did
not hold
up as his team ran sub par and missed qualifying by one place.
At districts, he ran the first 400m in 53 trailing James at the
400m before
turning on the jets and hitting the tape in a national leading time
time of
1:49.68. James still ran a respectable 1:51.53 to place second.
At last
week’s regional meet, Cross suffered from a bad blister , but
still came
away with a win over rival Tristan James despite trailing down the
backstretch of the final lap.
In the last month, Cross training has focued on improving his speed
and a 47
low carry in the 1600m relay proves that the speed work is paying
dividends.
James has been leading Cross in their matchups before succumbing
to Cross’s
potent finish all season and has the best time behind Cross. Hicks
is an
unknown factor running the 3200m relay and 1600m relay( 3:16 at
the Florida
Relays) for Central most of the season before turning in a eye opening
1:54.99 at regions last week in what I believe to be his second
open 800m
race this season. Hicks will have to double back from the 1600m
though where
he’ll be somewhat tapped by an effort where he will have to
be 8 seconds
faster than his PR if he is to win.
The atmosphere will be electric as Cross has developed a following
in the
Ft. Lauderdale area and will have the fans cheering for him to get
Steve
Adderly’s record of 1:50.11. Cross is pointing for this race
and a 1:48 is
not out of the question. He’ll run full throttle here and he’ll
have the
competiton to push him.
1 Cross, Paul 11 So Plant 1:53.83 2 10 REGION 3
2 James, Tristan 12 Dillard 1:54.80 2 8
Kevin Hicks Central 1:54.99, REGION 4
1600m
Parker ran 4:16 last season and had a 4:14 carry in the DMR at the
Florida
Relays. Hicks has not run many 1600m races, but he has the potential
to run
in the mid teens. Yandiel Muniz will not have to contend with the
high jump
in this meet and may be more rested keeping his chances alive. Jeremy
Miller
is also a threat as he has run in the low 4:20’s all season
and seems ready
to bust a PR.
The race strategy should be interesting as Parker runs hard from
the gun as
long as he can. Can he run fast enough to take the race from Hicks
who has a
kick that is one of the best in the state? Miller and Parker will
have to be
15m clear of Hicks in the last 200m to have a chance to win. Otherwise,
it
will be Hicks sweeping past them in the final 100m.
1 Daniel Parker 12 Boone (Orlando) 4:20.71 10 REGION 1
1 Miller, Jeremy 11 John I. Leonard 4:24.22 10 REGION 2
1 Muniz, Yandiel Goleman 4:25.43 10 REGION 3
Kevin Hicks Central 4:24, REGION 4
3200M
Parker is tough and last year prior to state he had great battles
with Mike
Swope where he posted several victorious doubles in the 4 teens/
and 9
teens. At states, though, he ran out of steam in the 3200m and Sean
Jefferson was able to break him early as Parker faded to 3rd in
9:30.
This year has been different as the state 4A xc champ has not had
to post
such Herculian efforts during the season. He should be able to handle
anyone
in the field despite doubling. If anyone follows Parker’s pace
in the
beginning, they will pay the price. If they don’t, he may run
away with the
title.
1 Daniel Parker 12 Boone (Orlando) 9:30.55 10 REGION 1
1 Fedorenko, Kostyantyn 10 Leto 9:33.66 10 REGION 2
400m RELAY
Edgewater has the best time out of the regionals, but several teams
have
posted equal times during the season. The Miami contingent will
be running
on alll cylinders and will challenge their northern counterparts.
1 EDGE Edgewater (Orlando) 41.35 10 REGION 1
1 Miami Carol City Senior 41.47 10 REGION 3
Southridge 41.80, REGION 4
Northwestern 41.88,
Central 42.13,
1600M RELAY
This will be a sick race and a great way to end the meet. The anchor
legs
will have the big guns in Jamall Torrance and Bershawn Jackson,
but will it
be enough? It takes four and the other teams just may have the talent
to
offset any unworldy anchor legs.
1 EVAN Evans (Orlando) 3:20.23 2 10 REGION 1
1 Palm Beach Lakes A 3:18.22 REGION 2
1 Miami Norland Senior High 3:17.13 2 10 REGION 3
2 Dillard High School 3:17.95 2 8
3 Miami Carol City Senior 3:19.33 2 6
Northwestern 3:18.21, REGION 4
Homestead 3:18.74,
Central 3:19.85,
.
4 x 800m RELAY
Evans has Jamall Torrance and Dillard has Tristan James. Dillard
should have
enough to give James a lead and with his 1:51 open 800m speed, it
should be
enough for the win.
1 EVAN Evans (Orlando) 8:04.94 2 10 region 1
1 Dillard High School 7:56.28 2 10 REGION 3
.
Girls
INTRODUCTION
Northwestern ran away with last year's team title defeating a very
strong
Palm Beach Lakes team. This year they are strong again in the hurdles,
sprints and relays and will possibly add to Coach Carmen Jackson's
list of
accomplishments.
Greggs will be all over the track trying to rack up points for
Northwestern,Lathan will be great in the throws, Andova may challenge
the 6'
barrier in the high jump and Northwestern's 1600m relay team willl
try and
dip under their seasonal best of 3:46.21 and take down the state
record.
The sprints, relays and hurdles have competitive fields and the
distance
races have state leader sophomore Lavera Morris going for the 1600m/800m
double.
HIGH JUMP
Andonova is the class of the field and tied for the second best
in the
state. Greggs is a mutlitalented jumper and sprinter who will try
to help
her team win the state title.
1 Andonova, Viktoria CoralSprings 5-10.00# 10 REGION 3
Charlette Greggs (NW) 5-6, REGION 4
POLE VAULT
It should be another battle between these region foes.
1 Malone, Megan 11 Riverview (Riverview) 11-00.00 10 REGION 2
2 Altman, Dara 12 Gaither 11-00.00 8
3 Moser, Natalie 10 Wharton 11-00.00 6
LONG JUMP
Ocana has the third best jump in the state, but behind her are some
strong
jumpers who may challenge her in the later rounds.
1 Janita Ocana 12 Ed White (Jacksonvi 19'01.75" 10 REGION 1
2 Charlene Walker 11 Edgewater (Orlando) 18'07.25" 8
Pavielle James (NW) 18-6 3/4, REGION 4
Treva Hutchinson (SR) 18-6 1/2,
Marquita Speller (K) 18-5,
Sheena Johson (SR) 18-3 1/2;
TRIPLE JUMP
Very close at the top. Should be an exciting finish.
1 Smith, Kendra 12 Wharton 38-10.50 NWI 10 REGION 2
Treva Hutchinson (Southridge) 38-10 1/2, REGION 4
Marquita Speller (Killian) 38-2 1/4;
Nicole Moore (Northwestern) 38-1,
DISCUS
Lathon is the class of the field and will be close to the 160’
barrier.
1 Lindsey Nelson 11 Mandarin (Jacksonvi 140'02.00" 10 REGION
1
Akira Lathon (SR) 154-8, REGION 4
Ariel Brooks (NW) 141-2,
SHOT PUT
Lathan will look to pick up a second title of the meet in the field
events.
Akira Lathan (SR) 47-3 1/2,
100M HURDLES
Foster has been dominating the hurdles all year, but will be tested
by
Pavielle of Northwestern which produced talented hurdler Tiffany
Ross who is
now at South Carolina.
1 Foster, Kierra Palm Beach Lakes 14.55 14.11 NWI 10 REGION 2
Pavielle James (NW) 14.33, REGION 4
300M HURDLES
Another great hurdler from Northwestern. Former teammate Tiffany
Ross’ state
meet record of 41.34 is within reach, but it will take a perfect
race to
take it down.
Carlysle DeCruz (NW) 42.22, REGION 4
100M
Wow! A ninth grader with a great chance of winning the race. Another
possible great to possibly add her name to Florida’s best.
Patterson ran mid
11’s, but had an off race at her regions. The Miami runners
have also run
fast , but last week did not produce the ties they had during the
season.
1 Tiaerra McLaurin 9 Wolfson (Jacksonville) 11.82 10 REGION 1
2 Janita Ocana 12 Ed White (Jacksonville) 11.91 8
Charlette Greggs (NW) 12.09, REGION 4
200M
Hutchinson has the best time this season, but Patterson enters with
the best
time from the region. Patterson could get this title if she doesn’t
get the
100m championship.
1 Janita Ocana 12 Ed White (Jacksonville) 24.63 10 REGION 1
2 Tiaerra McLaurin 9 Wolfson (Jacksonville) 24.76 8
1 Patterson, Jekevia 12 Vero Beach 24.61 24.54 NWI REGION2
Treva Hutchinson (SR) 24.85, REGION 4
400M
Charlette Greggs third individual event is her best chance for a
state
title. Hopefully, she’ll be able to handle the heat and her
hectic schedule.
1 Lauren Austin 10 Oviedo High School 55.46 10 REGION 1
1 Thomas, Shunte Ely 55.67 10 REGION 3
Charlette Greggs (NW) 54.68, REGION 4
Ginou Etienne Central 55.01,
800M
Morris has been dominating the 1600m and the 800m not losing a race
in
either I believe this season. Pichardo has been dominant too in
South
Florida.
Two years ago, Pascual ran a 2:11.55 to win the state 4A title as
a
sophomore for Southridge. A transfer to South Dade cost her a year,
and she
comes to the state meet as the underdog.
This should be a barn burner with the winner needing a sub 2:15
to win.
1 Lavera Morris 10 Oak Ridge (Orlando) 2:13.05 2 10 REGION 1
2 Edda Santiago 12 Poinciana (Kissimmee) 2:15.22 2 8
1 Pichardo, Angela 12 Stranahan 2:15.86 2 10 REGION 3
Zully Pascual (SouthDade) 2:18.10, REGION 4
1600M
Morris has turned back all challengers this year with a strong sprint
finish. Pichardo will try to knock her off as she too has been well
ahead of
the competition. She’ll have to run at or under 5:00 to have
a chance at
winning.
1 Lavera Morris 10 Oak Ridge (Orlando) 5:01.69 10 REGION 1
1 Pichardo, Angela 12 Stranahan 5:08.24 10 REGION 3
3200M
Jessica Hellender won the state 4A xc championship and qualified
for the
Footlocker national meet. Willy came close to her at the region
meet. Zabel
was on the state 4A soccer championship team whose season went late
into the
track season. She also was runner-up last season in the 1600m posting
a 5:05
at the state meet and running close to 5:00 at Golden South. Could
be
interesting if the pace lags and if Zabel can run to her capabilities.
1 Sarah Hughes 9 Winter Park High School 11:33.23 10 REGION 1
2 Jessica Zabel 11 Lake Mary High School 11:35.47 8
1 Hellender, Jessica 12 Cooper City 11:00.27 10 REGION 3
2 Willy, Cathleen 12 Flanagan 11:05.03 8
400M RELAY
Region 4 has the best sprint teams in the state and they should
battle it
out for the title.
1 LMAY Lake Mary High School 48.72 10 REGION 1
Southridge 47.9, REGION 4
Northwestern 48.4,
Central 48.5,
1600M RELAY
Some great teams, but Northwestern is still head and shoulders above
the
rest. The record is 3:45.42 which may be too fast for this Northwestern
team.
1 OAKR Oak Ridge (Orlando) 3:51.89 2 10 REGION 1
2 OVDO Oviedo High School 3:53.51 2 8
3 SMSA Seminole (Sanford) 3:54.03 2 6
4 WOLF Wolfson (Jacksonville) 3:54.20 2 5
1 Vero Beach A 3:54.28
Northwestern 3:49.48, REGION 4
3200M RELAY
Dr. Phillips has the best time out of the regions, but Lake Mary
has the
best time this year out of the group. All teams ran slower than
their season
performances and expect the winning time to be in the 9:30’s.
1 DRPH Dr. Phillips (Orlando) 9:41.77 2 10 REGION 1
2 LMAY Lake Mary High School 9:49.97 2 8
1 Vero Beach A 9:46.38 REGION 2
Central 9:48, REGION 4
Southridge 9:54,
1600M RELAY
Some great teams, but Northwestern is still head and shoulders above
the
rest. The record is 3:45.42 which may be too fast for this Northwestern
team.
1 OAKR Oak Ridge (Orlando) 3:51.89 2 10 REGION 1
2 OVDO Oviedo High School 3:53.51 2 8
3 SMSA Seminole (Sanford) 3:54.03 2 6
4 WOLF Wolfson (Jacksonville) 3:54.20 2 5
1 Vero Beach A 3:54.28
Northwestern 3:49.48, REGION 4
3200M RELAY
Dr. Phillips has the best time out of the regions, but Lake Mary
has the
best time this year out of the group. All teams ran slower than
their season
performances and expect the winning time to be in the 9:30’s.
1 DRPH Dr. Phillips (Orlando) 9:41.77 2 10 REGION 1
2 LMAY Lake Mary High School 9:49.97 2 8
1 Vero Beach A 9:46.38 REGION 2
Central 9:48, REGION 4
Southridge 9:54,
Florida 3A-4A State Meet
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