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Pepsi Florida Relays


University of Florida, Gainesville FL
James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track

April 3-4, 2009



2009 Florida Relays High School Preview

by Ricky Quintana, for Dyestat.com

Gainesville, FL- The Florida Relays has a history of being a coming out party for the state’s best talent. In the 2000’s Walter Dix, Xavier Carter and Jeff Demps have sped to season leading performances and national prominence. This year should be no different as several of the state’s best and some out-of-state talent descend on the University of Florida Percy Beard Track this weekend for the 65th Annual Florida Relays.

All severe thunderstorms should roll out by Friday afternoon’s high school running events giving the athletes near perfect weather for the mid afternoon sprints and evening distance carnival and Saturday’s relays and invitational events.
 
Friday, April 3

10:00am Long Jump (G)

Sonnisha Williams leapt to a US #2 at the windy Bob Hayes Invitational. She’ll get a challenge from the state’s best as 4 others have personal best of 18-00 or further.

Sharniece King         Seminole (Sanford)    18-02 PB
Sonnisha Williams     Raines                        2009 US #2 19-08.50
Robin Reynolds        Miami Jackson          18-10    2009 US #14
Naquia Williams     Miami Northwestern    PB18-11.75
Jennifer Smyth        Bradford                          PB 18-10

Long Jump (B)
Lavorrie Johnson            Godby                  PB 23-09.00
Clark, Robert                    Dwyer                  PB 24-05
Gee, Donterious              East Gadsden   PB 23-05.00


10:00am Pole Vault (B)

Mike Vani            Merritt Island     3rd FHSAA 3A State Champs 15-00PB
Wyatt Metzger    Timber Creek    US #18(1503), 3rd  Pole Vault 2008 Pepsi Florida Relays PB- 15-01

10:00am Discus (G) outside field

10:00am Shot Put (B)

Christopher Lickfield         Spruce Creek           PB 55-02.00 4th FHSAA 4A Shot Put State Champs
Tyson Kemp                          Colonial                  PB 54-06.00

10:00am High Jump (G)

RUNNING EVENTS:

11:30am 1500 (W)
11:50am 1500 (M)
12:10pm 100 Hurdles (W)
12:35pm 110 Hurdles (M)
1:00pm 400m (W)
1:20pm 400m (M)

1:40pm 100m (HS – G)

National Leader 11.52 Octavious Freeman Lake Wales

Lake Wales sophomore sensation, Octavious Freeman, laces them up in a head to head match with Tatiana Fisher. Freeman boasts a US#1 of 11.52w already this season and should be pushed by Oak Ridge’s Tatiana Fisher.

Octavious  Freeman     Lake Wales-11.50 1st 100m and 200m 2008 FHSAA 2A Track and Field Championships, 1st 100m             and 200m 2008 Golden South Classic. PB- 11.66(100m), 23.95(200m)
Tatianna  Fisher             Oak Ridge- 11.67 PB  3rd FHSAA 3A 100m(11.86), 3rd FHSAA 3A 200m(24.44). 11.67, 24.12 PB

2:00pm 100m (HS – B)
National Leader 10.31 Kenneth Gilstrap Miller Grove(GA)

The 100m has always been a coming out party for the next great US sprinter. Walter Dix, then Xavier Carter both sped to sensational times their junior and then senior years. Jeff Demps surprised all with his 10.17 that paved the way to his World Junior 100m record(10.01) at the Olympic Trials.

This year’s field is solid and someone could emerge as a national leader. Dentarius Locke boasts the best credentials, but is coming off a strained quad that kept him out of the 200m at NIN. If he is not 100%, he could be challenged by state leader Joseph Byrd, Jaruez Wynn, Larry Farlow or Andrew Debose.

Larry Farlow             Miami Central                     2nd 2008 FHSAA 4A 100m 10.51PB
Dentarius Locke     Chamberlain(Tampa)       4A 100m Champ. 2nd 200m(21.02),
                                                                                 2nd 2008 NON 100m 10.43
                                                                                 3rd Nike Indoor National 60m
Joseph Byrd              Baker (Cape Coral)     10.47, 21.65PB 2009 State Leader
Jaruez  Wynn            Northeast (St.Petersburg) 2009 3rd Fastest in the state 10.53
Andre Debose         Seminole (Sanford)           2008 FHSAA 4A 8th 100m
Neamen  Wise         Lake Brantley                    2009 NIN Pentathlon Champion
John Little                  Eastside                             Alachua County Champion, 6th FHSAA 4A State Champs 10.66PB

2:20pm 100m (W)
2:35pm 100m (M)
2:50pm 800m (W)
3:15pm 800m (M)
3:40pm 400m Hurdles (W)
4:00pm 400m Hurdles (M)
4:20pm 4x200 (HS – G)
4:45pm 4x200 (HS – B)
5:10pm 4x200 (W)
5:30pm 4x200 (M)
Distance Carnival
6:30pm Steeplechase (W)
Steeplechase (M)
5000m Invite (W)

800m (HS-G)

National Leader 2:10.22 Nia Fluker Christway Academy (TX)

Groff and Ohio State signee Wallen bring some studly times into this race. The two have nearly been inseparable head to head. This should be special race with physically imposing Gainesville local Durden and a few others capable of being towed to a sub 2:17 clocking.

Skyler Wallen         Miami Northwestern         3rd FHSAA 4A 1600m Stae Champs, 2nd FHSAA 4A 800m
Ana Groff                 Winter Park                         2nd 800m FHSAA 4A Track and Field Championships  PB 2:11.64(800m)
Simone Durden     Buchholz                             Alachua County Champion

800m (HS-B)
National Leader 1:51.10 Drew Butler The Woodlands(TX)

Expect a very quick start from 1A FHSAA 800m State Champ Strickland. This should be a doozy if everyone is fit enough to go with him. Lockhart has the fastest PB, but Sean Obinwa, John Mitchell are showing great promise.

CJ Lockhart         Flagler Palm Coast(Bunnell)     1st 2008 800m FHSAA Track and Field Championships,
                                                                                        1st 400m 2007 FHSAA Track and Field Championships
                                                                                        PB- 47.27(400m), 1:52.24(800m)
Daniel Wehunt             Sickles(Tampa)                1:53.80 PB
John Mitchell               Durant(Tampa)         1:55.89 PB, 2008 FHSAA 1600m State Champ
Jimmy Florestal          Miami Central         2009 Louie Bing Champion
Strickland, Whitney     North Florida Christian(Tallahassee)    2008 FHSAA 1A State Champion
Obinwa, Sean              Wharton(Tampa)            1:55.34PB First year of track

1600 (HS-G)
National Leader Jordan Hasay 4:47.05 Mission College Prep(CA)

Last year, Brittany Koziara easily won the 1600m speeding to a PB time. Behind her, 5 runners shadowed her in what was one of the deeper races in Florida Relays history. Many of those runners return along with newcomers Stephanie Strasser (sub 5:00) and IL transfer and state leader Stephanie Schappert. The ingredients are there for a competitive and deep race, but expect Koziara to have closer competitors this year.

Brittany  Koziara            Boone- 2007 Foot Locker Finalist,
                                         2008 FHSAA 1600m Champion(4:52.64), 10:36.14 PB(3200m), Defending Pepsi Relays Champ

Amanda Perkins            Spruce Creek-  2008 FHSAA 4th 1600m(4:59.72)
                                           3rd Pepsi Relays 1600m(4:58.77)

Stephanie Schappert     Pope John Paul I(Boca Raton) - 2008 FHSAA 2A Cross Country Champ
                                            2009 State Leader 5:01.87

Stephanie Strasser        Fernandina Beach-        3rd 2008 FHSAA Cross Country Finals
                                           5th 1600m and 6th 3200m 2008 Illinois 2A Track and Field Championships.
                                           PB- 4:59.41(1600m), 10:54.55 (3200m)

Elizabeth Tucker              Bishop Kenny(Jacksonville)      8th Pepsi Relays(5:03.67)

Grace VanDeGrift            Durant(Tampa)      6th 1600m and 7th 2008 3200m FHSAA 4A Track and Field Championships.
                                            PB – 5:03.49
                                            2 time Tom Jones Memorial Mile Champ

Joane Pierre                    Immokalee        2008 FHSAA 2A State Champion(5:02.79)

Erika  Fluehr                     Community School(Naples) -2008 FHSAA 1A State XC Championships,
                                            3rd FHSAA 1A 1600m State Champs
Shelby Hayes                    Winter Park         6th Pepsi Relays(5:02.82)

1600 (HS-B)
National Leader 4:13.16 Drew Butler The Woodlands(TX)

Derek Wehunt has been having a dream senior season racing to PB’s in the 800m(1:52.90, 1600m(4:16.00), and 3200m(9:06.78). He followed his victory at FSU with a mid week 9:41 effort. He’ll drop down to 1600m to try and improve upon his 4:16.41. He’ll have plenty of competition. Georgetown Prep star Ramsey Chapin heads south for a meeting. Chapin raced to a 3:54.55 1500m in June at the Boston High Performance meet and sports a 4:19.89 indoor mile performance. Connor Revord finished 3rd last year in 4:14.51 and has PR’ed in the 3200m(9:14.94). Colin Barker has also scorched his junior season with a PB in the 3200m(9:11.20) and the 1600(4:17.67). Other darkhorses include Jonathan Lanning, Erick Montoya and John Mitchell who may rise to the challenge under the limelight of the venerable Florida Relays.

Ramsey Chapin               Georgetown Prep     10th 2009 NSIC (4:19.89), 3:54.55 1500m PB(=4:11.79 1600m)
Connor Revord                 Tampa Jesuit            3rd Pepsi Relays(4:14.51PB), 1:53.48 800m PB
Derek Wehunt                   Sickles                      2009 State Leader 800m(1:52.90), 3200m(9:06.78)
Colin Barker                      Bishop Kenny           PB 4:17.67, 9:11.20 (3200m)
Jonathan Lanning            Sarasota                   4th FHSAA 4A State XC Champs(15:28)
Michael  Wallace              Bishop Kenny          2008 FHSAA 2A State Champ
John Mitchell                    Durant                          2008 FHSAA 1600m State Champ
Erick Montoya                   Estero                          2nd FHSAA 4A 3200m,
                                                                                  2009 FHSAA 4A State XC Champs
                                                                                  2nd FHSAA 2A State XC Champs(15:22)

3200 (HS-G)
National Leader 10:25.50 Sarah Andrews The Woodlands(TX)

Much decorated Kayla Hale reportedly opted out of the 1600m to concentrate her efforts on the 3200m. Florida state leader Kathryn Fluehr(11:01.09) may be able to run with Hale for the first half, but will be need a great race to hang with her the second half of the race.

Kayla Hale    Holy Trinity              3 Time Foot Locker Finalist
                                                         4 Time FHSAA 1A Cross Country Champion
                                                         PB- 4:57.98(1600m), 10:37.59(3200m), 9:59.87(3k indoors)
                                                         3-time FHSAA 1A 3200m(2004,2007,2008)

Kathryn Fluehr, Community School      2009 State 3200m Leader(11:01.09)
                                                                     3rd FHSAA 1A State XC Champs, 3rd FHSAA 3200m

3200 (HS-B)
Many unknowns here regarding the 3200m. Many of the athletes entered the double, but chances are some will opt for just one race. Montoya was 4th fastest in the fall state xc meet and has rose to the challenge each time out. Lanning has done the same. These two could provide some spark to the pacing to a sub 9:20 effort. There are also a host of others on the cusp of breaking into the top ranks.

Lanning, Jonathan       Sarasota           4th FHSAA 4A State XC Champs(15:28)

Montoya, Erick                Estero               2nd FHSAA 4A 3200m, 2009 FHSAA 4A State XC Champs
                                                                      2nd FHSAA 2A State XC Champs(15:22)

Wilkins, John                  Plant                   5th FHSAA 3A 3200m


Saturday, April 4

10:00am Triple Jump (G)

Brianna Rollins        Miami Northwestern    2009 US #6(39-01.50)
Jennifer Smyth         Bradford                   38-02.50PB
Juna Esperance      Oak Ridge              PB 37-08.00
 

Triple Jump (B)
National Leader 49-00.50 Nick Ross Vista Murrieta, CA

Phillip Young        Key West           PB 47-11.00.50 2009 US #8

10:00am Pole Vault (G)
Lindsey Enders        Holy Trinity           11-06.00 US #21
Brianna Arellano     Bishop Moore   11-00.00 US #27

10:00am Discus (B) outside field
Two of the state’s best meet head to head. Austin Gamble launched a 30+ foot PB last weekend and will try to duplicate that effort vs Lickfield who has also been throwing huge.

Austin Gamble               Cypress Bay                  2009 US #2 201.05.50
Christopher Lickfield    Spruce Creek          2009 US #11 179-07.00, 2008 FHSAA 4A Discus State Champ

10:00am Shot Put (G)
Wilamena Hopkins         Buchholz           2009 US #16 43-05.50 PB 46-09

10:00am High Jump (B)

RUNNING EVENTS:

9:00 am 4x1600 (HS-G)

Last fall’s state xc championships showed some great depth. Community School of Naples boast two sets of twins, The Fluehr’s and the Burfields, that will fuel their effort. Winter Park, Lourdes, Holy Trinity and Bolles have deep rosters from which to draw and could put together some strong teams to challenge for the title.

Community School (Naples)      FHSAA 1A State XC Champions
                                                         Two sets of twins, Erika and Kathryn Fluehr andTaylor and Chandler Burfield (5:36 or faster)

Boone  'A'                                       Brittany Koziara
Winter Park  'A'                            Shelby Hayes, Ana Groff 5 runners 5:35 or faster
Bolles  'A'                                      8 runners 5:49 or faster
Lourdes  'A'                                   4 runners 5:42 or faster
Holy Trinity  'A'                               6 runners 5:45 or faster

9:30am 4x1600 (HS-B)
National Leader 18:02.85 Loyola(CA)

Leon(Tallahassee) will be fresh as no one is entered in the distance carnival Friday night. They have been on fire of late posting PB’s through their top seven runners. Bishop Kinney has good depth and could challenge with two sub 4:22 runners in Wallace and Barker.

Bishop Kenny  'A'                     5 runners 4:43 or faster. Colin Barker and Michael Wllace
Leon  'A'                                     5 runner 4:39 or faster. Matt Mizereck(2 time 3A FHSAA Champion, 9:09.64 3200m,
                                                    Will Stanford 4:27.61(915.20 3200mPB)
 
12:00pm SMR (W)
12:15pm SMR (M)
12:30pm SHR (W)
12:45pm SHR (M)

1:00pm 4x800 (HS – G)

National Leader 9:21.42 Kingwood, TX. FL State High School Record 9:03.42 Orange Park, FL (1983)

Miami Northwestern returns the top 4 from last year’s sensational Florida Relays record of 9:06.89. The competition will be deep as Eleanor Roosevelt is entered along with Winter Park and 2A State XC Champion Bishop Kinney.

Miami Northwestern  'A'             9:36.88 SB. Defending Pepsi Relay Champs(9:06.89).
                                                       Keish Richburg(SO), Skyler Wallen(SR), Brianna Streeter(SO),Brittany Pringle(SR)
Bishop Kenny  'A'                         2008 3rd Pepsi Relay 4 x 800m(9:37.73)
Winter Park  'A'                             Possible surprise. Ana Groff (2:11.64), Shelby Hayes(5:02.92)
Eleanor Roosevelt  'A'                2009 Pepsi Relay Runner-up (9:22.80)

1:40pm 4x800 (HS – B)
National Leader Dana Hills, CA 7:45.42

Most teams line up their best 4 for the first time at the Florida Relays. Wharton is fresh off it US #2 at the FSU Relays and will be looking for state bragging rights. Flagler Palm Coast and Miami Central look to challenge them.

Flagler Palm Coast  'A'             CJ Lockhart(1:52.42), 4 runners 2:05 or better
Wharton  'A'                                  US#2 7:55.54
Miami Central  'A'                        5 runners at 2:05 or faster

2:20pm 4x100 (HS – G)
National Leader 46.01 Alief Elsik

Eleanor Roosevelt makes its annual trip south to test some of Florida’s best relay squads. The perennial relay power will have a chance at the national leader with Oak Ridge Pioneers and the Miami Northwestern Bulls posing a possible upset threat.  Oak Ridge has one its better teams this year and is aiming for some state records. The Bulls are always tough and should be right there in one of the best races of the meet.

Eleanor Roosevelt  'A'               4X400m New Balance Champions(3:41.75 #3 All-Time)
                                                      MD State Indoor 4 x 200m  Record Holders(1:38.15)
                                                      NIN 4 x 200m, 4 x 400m, Sprint Medley Relay Champions,

Oak Ridge  'A'                           2009 #6 Time in Nation(47.21)
Miami Northwestern  'A'         2009 20th Fastest time in Nation(47.75)

2:45pm 4x100 (HS – B)
Walter Dix’s old school, Coral Springs is the class of the field. They will look to improve upon their US #9 41.58 run at last week’s Broward County Championships.

Coral Springs  'A'          2009 #9 In the Nation(41.58)

3:10pm 4x100 (W)
3:25pm 4x100 (M)
3:40pm 4x800 (W)
3:55pm 4x800 (M)
4:10pm Invite 200 (W)
4:20pm Invite 200 (M)
4:30pm 5000 (W)
4:55pm 5000 (M)

5:20pm 4x400 (HS – G)

National Leader 3:47.78 Boyd Anderson

Eleanor Roosevelt sped to a US #3 All Time indoor best of 3:41.75 at the NB Games meet in NYC. They will be the class of the field. Look for the race to be competitive with US #4 Miami Northwestern in the race. Super frosh Robin Reynolds makes her much anticipated Florida Relays debut. She has already run 54.21, 24.12 this season and is poised to split a super quick 400m leg for Miami Jackson.

Eleanor Roosevelt  'A'               4X400m New Balance Champions(3:41.75 #3 All-Time)
                                                      MD State Indoor 4 x 200m  Record Holders(1:38.15)
                                                      NIN 4 x 200m, 4 x 400m, Sprint Medley Relay Champions,

Miami Northwestern  'A'         2009 #4 Time in the Nation(3:47.78)
Miami Jackson  'A'                  2009 #18 Fastest In the Nation(3:54.82). Frosh Sensation Robin Reynolds (24.12, 54.21PB)


5:55pm 4x400 (HS – B)
National Leader 3:12.82 New Bern, NC

Two of the nation’s best will meet head to head. Flagler Palm Coast traveled south to Miami for the Louise Bing Relays and north to the Bob Hayes to seek out the best competition. They boast a 3:17.78 thus far and will receive a big challenge from track power Dillard. Look for an exciting race.

Flagler Palm Coast  'A'2009 #4 Fastest in the Nation(3:17.78)
Dillard  'A' 2009 #12 Fastest in the Nation(3:19.11)



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