FSU Relays: Day 1 Summary

Mar 23, 2013

On-Site Coverage

Lots of great races but 3200s are best of day, Carmen Carlos (AL) meet record 10:15.70; boys race is a burner, three under 9:10. Our team of Todd Grasley, Randy Settle, Joe Mizereck and Jeffrey Surran are on-site in Tallahassee.

Race Summaries

Estero Girls Grab State Lead in 4x800

Estero took over the lead about 700 meters into the race and never let it go. Daley Cline broke open a lead over the last 100 meters of her leg and despite some valiant attempts, no one was able to close the gap. By the time it was all said and done, they extended it to an eight second margin and became the first Florida team this season to break 9:30 with a state-leading time of 9:29.15.

Race Video

Heat two was won by Niceville in 10:04, ten second better than Leon.

Race Video

Boys 4x800 is a Battle Royale! Steinbrenner Comes Out on Top

Heat one of the boys 4x800 really shook up the rankings with three of the top five Florida times being laid down plus two additional teams from Alabama, making five teams within five seconds of each other. It culminated with an exciting finish with all five teams bunched up in the home stretch together. Steinbrenner anchor Matt Magee unleashed a kick and took the lead over the last 50 meters before collapsing over the line. His Steinbrenner came out on top with a Florida #2 7:59.80, followed closely by Bloomingdale in 8:00.32.

Race Video

Like their girls Niceville again grabbed the second heat victory, this time with an impressive 8:09.09 which put them sixth overall and moved them to ninth in the state rankings.

Kenny Selmon of Atlanta, GA Wins 110H Finals

Running an exceptionally clean race, Kenny Selmon, a junior from Pace Academy in Atlanta, took the win over Holy Trinity senior Marcus Burgman and junior Daniel Neptune of Belen Jesuit--14.66 to 14.76 to 14.79 into a very slight headwind. The time is 0.12 off of his Georgia #6 season best.

Race Video | Kenny Selmon Interview

Johna Whitaker Wins to 100 Hurdles

University of Kentucky commitment Johnta Whitaker won by an impressive half second margin to give herself confidence going into the homestretch of her season. From here on she will cruise until state, looking to repeat her 100H championship for Pine Forest. She has her sights set high on 13.5 by year's end!

Race Video | Johna Whitaker Interview

Hani-Gayles Battle Lives Up to Hype, Both Under Meet Record

The FSU Relays preview article on flrunners.com hyped this 1A showdown and they lived up to the hype. Gabrielle Gayles took it out strong, making up the stagger over the first curve and held on to the lead for most of the backstretch. Abby Hani came up along her inside ran the better curve, before kicking it in for the win, despite Gayles answering with a strong kick of her own. Final times were both under the old meet record, with Hani in 54.97 and Gayles in a season best 55.26. The two are now ranked 4-5 in the state and 1-2 in the 1A, setting up an exciting rematch next month!

Race Video | Abby Hani Interview

Ceolamar Continues Winning Ways (see what I did there), Takes 400 Title

Brylan Slay of Winter Park gave Ceolamar Ways a strong challenge on his outside, but Ways looked in control as he powered to victory. The Nease senior crossed the line looking unphased by his 47.61 pace. Ways is the state and national leader with his 47.01 win at Bob Hayes last week.

Race Video | Ceolamar Ways Interview

Rockledge Girls Win 4x100 Over Gainesville

Rockledge wins over Gainesville in heat one, 48.78 to 49.23.

Gainesville Boys Out Lean Pine Forrest

In a very close battle, Gainesville anchor Antonio James got the lean over Dante Young of Pine Forest to win by 0.07--42.31 to 42.38.

Race Video

Kurgatt Sets Meet Record 800

Stefanie Kurgatt of Maclay ran a measured first lap, moving from back in the back to second at about 350 meters in and then overtaking Maddie Harris, junior from Wakulla, with about 200 meters to go. She ran a strong middle 300 meters, before cruising in for the meet record win in 2:13.35. The time now ranks her second in the state in her first outdoor track meet of the year. Harris was pleased with her second place peresonal best of 2:14.78.

Race Video | Stefanie Kurgatt Interview | Maddie Harris Interview

Four of Top Five 800 Rankings Now Occupied by FSU Relays

Will Spiers of Chiles, won out against the crowded field of five runners in heat one between his 1:55.80 and 1:58.46. Spiers made a strong move with around 300 to go to move from around fifth to first shortly there after. Jose Cartegena of Estero made a strong surge over the last 100 to try to catch him, but it was for naught. The Chiles senior wins in 1:55.80 with Cartegana second in 1:56.02. First through fourth in this one are now second through fifth in the staterankings.

Race Video | Will Spiers Interview | Jose Cartegana Interview

Carmen Carlos Lays Down a US #2, Meet Record 10:15.70

Foot Locker finalists Carmen Carlos of Alabama and Bridget Blake of Dr. Phillips went at it pretty good, but in the end it was all Carlos!

Blake led the pace out through the early laps with freshman Julia Montgomery of Pine Crest falling in behind. Carlos felt content to lead up the chase pack, keeping her distance some 10 to 20 meters back. That gap slowly closed up, as the leaders went through the 800 in 2:26 with Carlos and crew now within striking distance. By three laps, Montgomery had fallen off pace and re-joined the pack, but Blake held on strong. Blake went through the mile mark as the solo leader in 5:07. Carlos, still leading the slowly-stretching-out chase pack found herself about eight seconds back, with Rachel Givens of Chiles at her side.

By lap five Carlos had shed the pack and stride by stride closed on the Dr. Phillips senior. Around the next curve Carlos went around Blake and took the lead, despite Blake's best efforts to hold her off. With two laps to go Carlos opened up an eight second lead of her own and then it was off to the races for the Vanderbilt signee, extending it to about 100 meters by the bell lap. She crossed the line in 10:15.70, which is a new personal best for Carlos, meet record, and #2 in the country this season.

Blake held on for a state leading time of 10:40.30, with Rachel Givens (10:44.66), Emily Edwards (10:44.66), and Nikita Shah (10:48.82) rounding out the top five. Montgomery hung tough for sixth in 10:55.37 and Lourdes Brea of Our Lady of Lourdes made it seven under 11 minutes with a 10:56.65.

Race Video | Carmen Carlos Interview

The second heat was won by Providence junior Eden Meyer in 11:13.23 over freshman Emma Rudman of Fort Walton Beach's 11:18.61. Ashley Heitling of Mount Dora, now back after missing most of cross country with injury, was third in 11:20.40.

Race Video

3200 Boys: Winners Within 0.01, Three under 9:10, Eight under 9:20!

The race was invaded by a large contingent of out-of-staters with Patrick Perrier of O'Fallon and Grant Nykaza of Illinois, along with Mac Macoy of Vestavia Hills, Alabama and Nik O'Brien of Georgia.

Perrier led the race early, opening up a pretty good gap in the first lap. By the half mile, Tyler Bennett of Ft. Myers found himself tucked in for second. Perrier held on to his lead for four laps, leading a huge pack through the mile before being promptly overtaken by Mac Macoy. At lap five, Macoy maintained with Perrier not giving up on his second place position, despite Carlos Miranda trying to edge around his outside. Miranda finally grabbed on to the runner-up position at the bell while Macoy kicked harder to gap the pack.

Grant Nykaza responded to Macoy's move and came by Carlos on the back stretch, trying desperately to make up the gap. That battle continued and escalated down the final 100 meters into a furious all-out gut kick by Nykaza down the final stretch. It culminated into a sprint-like lead to the finish that saw Macoy hang on to victory by just 0.01 in 9:07.38.

Miranda maintained and fought off Avery Lopez of Belen Jesuit breathing down his neck. Miranda finished third in 9:09.48 and Lopez fourth in 9:10.34. The early leader, Perrier, faded ever so slightly to fifth place 9:13.14. Ace Brown (9:15.07) and Daniel Salas (9:18.72) also saw the under side of the exclusive 9:20 mark.

Race Video | Mac Macoy Interview | Grant Nykaza Interview | Carlos Miranda Interview

State "Bronze" Elite Performances

Girls

100 Meter Hurdles - Johna' Whitaker (Pine Forest HS) 14.14; Danielle Phillips (Rockledge HS) 14.63; Domonique Turner (Lake Mary HS) 14.68; Ryann McEnany (Academy of Holy Names HS) 14.84 SB; Deara Thomas (Osceola HS (Kissimmee)) 14.98; Crysta Williams (Gainesville HS) 15.16 SB; Mikaela Martin (Lake Mary HS) 15.57; Tia Smith (Rockledge HS) 15.59; Natalie Jacobs (Our Lady of Lourdes Academy) 15.80 SB; Vallerie Norgaisse (Osceola HS (Kissimmee)) 15.86; Jasmyn Perry (Freedom HS (Tampa)) 15.91;
3,200 Meter Run - Carmen Carlos (McGill-Toolen Catholic) 10:15.70 SB; Eden Meyer (Providence School) 11:13.23 SB; Bridget Blake (Dr. Phillips HS) 10:40.30 SB; Emma Rudman (Fort Walton Beach HS) 11:18.61 SB; Rachel Givens (Chiles HS) 10:44.66 SB; Ashley Heitling (Mount Dora HS) 11:20.40 SB; Emily Edwards (Fort Myers HS) 10:45.42 SB; Kristin Sweeney (Maclay School) 11:21.01 SB; Nikita Shah (Wiregrass Ranch HS) 10:48.82 SB; Rachel Shapiro (Bolles HS) 11:23.11 SB; Julia Montgomery (Pine Crest HS) 10:55.37 SB; Ally Hajda (Bolles HS) 11:24.89 SB;Lourdes Brea (Our Lady of Lourdes Academy) 10:56.65 SB; Autumn Wable (Leon HS) 11:33.18 SB; Caroline Barlow (Gulf Coast HS) 11:07.44 SB; Bethany Jenkins (Estero HS) 11:38.52 SB; Mackenzie Wilson (Bolles HS) 11:09.29 SB; Lily Arnold (Bolles HS) 11:40.33 SB; Julie Wollrath(Holy Trinity Academy) 11:09.32 SB; Ivy Chastain (Fort Walton Beach HS) 11:45.06 SB; Sarah Candiano (Evangelical Christian School) 11:21.67 SB; Ashton McMurray (Chiles HS) 11:48.29 SB; Julia Rodriguez (HB Plant HS) 11:23.14 SB; Sara Lane (Chiles HS) 11:51.78; Sarah Day (West Shore HS) 11:23.76 SB; Samantha Folio (Holy Trinity Academy) 11:53.52; Katy G Solis (Estero HS) 11:32.39; Hannah Klopf (Naples HS) 11:59.47 SB;
400 Meter Dash - Abby Hani (Lake Mary Prep) 54.97 SB; Dani Pendergrast (Pine Crest HS) 57.16 SB; Ashley Clerrobrun (Lake Mary HS) 58.59 SB; Gabrielle Gayles (Holy Trinity Academy) 55.26 SB; Loren Moorer (Pensacola HS) 57.70 SB; Briana Huff (Lincoln HS) 59.37 SB; Tamani Wilson (Maclay School) 57.65 SB; Ma'Rhea Everheart (Florida High School) 58.13 SB; Nailah Smith (Rickards HS) 59.81 SB; Danielle Davis (Escambia HS) 58.53 SB; Tania White (Winter Park HS) 58.94; Payton Ashe (Gainesville HS) 59.63 SB; Faith Woodard (Freedom HS (Tampa)) 59.75 SB;
4x100 Meter Relay - Rockledge HS 48.78; Florida High School 49.92; Gainesville HS 49.23; Kathleen HS 49.62; Wharton HS 49.99;
4x800 Meter Relay - Estero HS 9:29.15; Maclay School 9:37.77; Naples HS 9:47.69; Fort Walton Beach HS 9:47.72; Bishop Kenny HS 9:54.25; Pine Forest HS 10:02.72; Niceville HS 10:04.00; Vestavia Hills HS 10:08.32;
800 Meter Run - Stefanie Kurgatt (Maclay School) 2:13.35 SB; Margot Woolverton (Vestavia Hills HS) 2:20.74 SB; Ebie Douglas (McGill-Toolen Catholic) 2:23.42 SB; Madison Harris (Wakulla HS) 2:14.78 SB; Emily Stallings (Providence School) 2:21.32 SB; Sarah Carrion (Lake Mary HS) 2:24.41 SB; Katie Slater (Estero HS) 2:18.83 SB; Corina Velazco (Our Lady of Lourdes Academy) 2:21.52; Danielle Avery (Naples HS) 2:20.27 SB; Sunnie Patch (Pine Forest HS) 2:23.41 SB; Tayler Johnson (Hagerty HS) 2:22.17 SB; Megan Slater (Estero HS) 2:23.70 SB; Danielle De Greef(Gulf Coast HS) 2:22.47 SB; Julie Roggeman (Bloomingdale HS) 2:23.89 SB; Savana Osterbye (Florida High School) 2:24.82 SB;
Discus - Symone Holliday (Florida High School) 112-4 SB; Anissa Martin (Bay HS) 114-11 SB; Sophia Bergmann (Niceville HS) 115-6; Rashika Cooper (Pine Forest HS) 115-8.5; Andrea Aaron (Chamberlain HS) 120-0; Lamia Miller (Pine Forest HS) 124-0 SB; Bernicia Holifield (Godby HS) 129-2 SB; Tayla Greene (Rockledge HS) 137-0; Jhori Stallworth (Florida High School) 110-4.5 SB; Rebecca Evans (Winter Springs HS) 139-6.5;
Long Jump - Darrielle McQueen (North Florida Christian) 19-0.5; Danielle Phillips (Rockledge HS) 18-10.5 SB; Sandra Akachukwu (Freedom HS (Tampa)) 18-5.5; Jazzmine Folston (Cocoa HS) 18-2.5; Ma'Rhea Everheart (Florida High School) 17-10; Abby Hani (Lake Mary Prep) 17-10;

Boys

110 Meter Hurdles - Kenny Selmon (Pace Academy) 14.66; Marquis Burgman (Holy Trinity Academy) 14.76 SB; Daniel Neptune (Belen Jesuit Preparatory School) 14.79; Michael Taylor (Lake Mary Prep) 14.84 SB; Justin Cromartie (Chiles HS) 14.86 SB;
3,200 Meter Run - Mac Macoy (Vestavia Hills HS) 9:07.38 SB; David Yarborough (Bishop Kenny HS) 9:25.06 SB; Grant Nykaza (Beecher High School) 9:07.39 SB; Lee Shearer (Naples HS) 9:26.71 SB; Carlos Miranda (Palmetto Ridge HS) 9:09.48 SB; Reid McClenny (Smiths Station) 9:31.06 SB; Avery Lopez (Belen Jesuit Preparatory School) 9:10.34 SB; Trey LaNasa (Fort Walton Beach HS) 9:31.41 SB; Patrick Perrier (O'Fallon High School) 9:13.14 SB; Courtland Bernard (Sarasota HS) 9:31.42 SB; Nik O'brien (North Augusta) 9:13.86 SB; Michael Magoulas (Belen Jesuit Preparatory School) 9:32.26 SB; Aesop Brown (Fort Myers HS) 9:15.07 SB; Charles Shackelford (Fort Walton Beach HS) 9:32.71 SB; Daniel Salas (Trinity Prep) 9:18.72 SB; Zainelabdin Fator (Sickles HS) 9:34.61 SB; Thomas Howell (Niceville HS) 9:20.02 SB; Peyton Price (Vestavia Hills HS) 9:42.43 SB; Tyler Bennett (Fort Myers HS) 9:25.50 SB; Wil Luca (Leon HS) 9:46.81 SB; Alex Brown (Holy Trinity Academy) 9:26.58 SB; Sean Turner (Chiles HS) 9:56.42; Tristan Kattenberg (Holy Trinity Academy) 9:29.96 SB; Fabian Tomas (Belen Jesuit Preparatory School) 9:34.63; Buddy Herbert Gates (Naples HS) 9:46.92 SB;
400 Meter Dash - Ceolamar Ways (Nease HS) 47.61; William Carrol (McGill-Toolen Catholic) 50.13 SB; Jordan Johnson (Vestavia Hills HS) 50.86 SB; Brylan Slay (Winter Park HS) 48.18; Christian Philpott (North Florida Christian) 50.89; Kenric Young (Gainesville HS) 48.96 SB; John Decker (Pine Crest HS) 50.98 SB; Joshua Johnson (Providence School) 49.81; DeAndre James (Howard W. Blake HS) 50.19; Dontarian Evans (Gainesville HS) 50.19 SB;
4x100 Meter Relay - Gainesville HS 42.31; Pine Forest HS 42.38;
4x800 Meter Relay - George M. Steinbrenner HS 7:59.80; Bloomingdale HS 8:00.32; McGill-Toolen Catholic 8:01.14; Vestavia Hills HS 8:01.61; Belen Jesuit Preparatory School 8:04.83; Niceville HS 8:09.09; Fort Walton Beach HS 8:10.01; Bishop Kenny HS 8:14.79; Navarre HS 8:16.45;
800 Meter Run - Will Spiers (Chiles HS) 1:55.80 SB; Zackery Summerall (Sarasota HS) 1:59.20 SB; Kevin Heron (Bloomingdale HS) 1:59.26 SB; Jose Cartagena (Estero HS) 1:56.02 SB; William Carrol (McGill-Toolen Catholic) 1:59.50 SB; Andrew LeBlanc (Bloomingdale HS) 1:57.00 SB;Diego Rojo (Belen Jesuit Preparatory School) 1:59.71 SB; Nicholas Morken (Niceville HS) 1:57.02 SB; Jack Jones (McCallie School) 1:59.89 SB; John Lindsey (Winter Park HS) 1:58.46; Matt Magee (George M. Steinbrenner HS) 1:59.60 SB;
High Jump - Jhonny Victor (Celebration HS) 6-6; Jordan Howell (Rockledge HS) 6-4;
Long Jump - Josh Davis (Florida High School) 22-6 SB;
Pole Vault - Kyle Weaver (Maclay School) 14-10 SB; David Akins (Celebration HS) 14-0; Kelly Brown (Pine Forest HS) 14-0; Ryan Hazouri (Creekside HS) 14-0; Joseph Lee (Vestavia Hills HS) 14-0; Corey Smith (Holy Trinity Academy) 13-6; Chris Thrasher (Vestavia Hills HS) 13-6; Nick Catchur (Tampa Jesuit HS) 13-6; Corey Short (South Walton HS) 13-6; William Miller (McGill-Toolen Catholic) 13-6 SB; Austin Malone (Pensacola Booker T. Washington HS) 13-6 SB; Clifford Wonderly (Circle Christian School) 13-0; Jose Roca (Belen Jesuit Preparatory School) 13-0; Micah Lucassen (McGill-Toolen Catholic) 12-6; Anthony DelVescovo (Saint Patrick High School) 12-6;

Day 1 Videos

2013 FSU Relays: Boys 110m Hurdles (Heat 1)	2013 FSU Relays: Girls 100m Hurdles (Heat 1)	2013 FSU Relays: Girls 400m Dash (Heat 1)	2013 FSU Relays: Boys 400m (Heat 1)
Interview: Darrielle McQueen - Girls Long Jump Champion	Interview: Kyle Weaver - Boys Pole Vault Champion	Interview: Kenny Selmon - Boys 110m Hurdles Champion	Interview: Johna Whitaker - Girls 100m Hurdles Champion
Interview: Ceolamar Ways - Boys 400m Champion	Interview: Abby Hani - Girls 400m Champion	2013 FSU Relays: Women's 4x100m Relay (Heat 1)	2013 FSU Relays: Women's 4x100m Relay (Heat 2)
2013 FSU Relays: Men's 4x100m Relay (Heat 1)	2013 FSU Relays: Girls 4x800m Relay (Heat 1)	2013 FSU Relays: Girls 4x800m Relay (Heat 2)	2013 FSU Relays: Boys 4x800m Relay (Heat 1)
2013 FSU Relays: Boys 4x100m Relay (Heat 1)	2013 FSU Relays: Girls 800m Run (Heat 1)	2013 FSU Relays: Boys 800m Run (Heat 1)	Interview: Stefanie Kurgatt - Girls 800m Champion
Interview: Madison Harris - Girls 800m Runner-Up	Interview: Will Spiers - Boys 800m Champion	Interview: Jose Cartagena - Boys 800m Runner-Up	2013 FSU Relays:Girls 3200m Run (Heat 1)
2013 FSU Relays: Girls 3200m Run (Heat 2)	Interview: Carmen Carlos - Girls 3200m Champion	Interview: Mac Macoy - Boys 3200m Champion	Interview:Grant Nykaza - Boys 3200m Runner-Up
Interview:Carlos Miranda - Boys 3200m - Third Place	2013 FSU Relays: Boys 3200m Run (Heat 2)