Let The Race Begin...

As the 2015 Track and Field Season begins, we can't help but be reminded of a renaissance, or reawakening, not only of competition, but of hopes and dreams of what could be accomplished in the season to come. This is but one example of a team and its athletes who have their eye on winning that last meet; one story of what could be if the dreamers prove themselves equal to their expectations.

Let the Race Begin….

"Starting fresh" --probably an overstatement; perhaps "refreshed" might be a more appropriate description--like many of the upper echelon teams in Florida, is Flagler-Palm Coast. With a long history of success under his 11 year reign as head coach at FPC, David Halliday looks forward to 2015 with eager anticipation.

He has many things to reflect upon: 120 athletes, many of whom have already proven themselves on the "big stage"; a well-balanced and knowledgeable coaching staff; and not least of all, the final season of his oldest daughter Darien.

Although I couldn't talk to everyone, Halliday was most accommodating in calling a "time out" in his practice and sending waves of assistant coaches and team captains (and athletes) over to "the guy in the straw hat." We begin with his assistant coaches.

Distance Team

Coach Virgil Williams

"I coach the middle and long distance runners. I think the four by eight will be our best group. We have everybody coming back and have high expectations. There's Justin Pacifico--5 Star Champion. He won (XC) Athlete of the Year in the News-Journal. That's pretty impressive for a first year runner. He did football for two years; this will be his third year of track.

"Ka'Deem Wynn, a junior, ran 4:49 indoors (Jimmy Carnes on January 23, 2015). That was his first-ever mile. He was in the low 17s in cross country. I think he might run a 1:55 800 this year. He has the talent.

"Alexander Centi. He was on the 4 X 8 (returning from last year). He was close to two last year and should be at 1:58 this year. Basically, everyone's back and we have three more guys for that fourth spot.

"We look good for the 4 X 1, the 4 X 4, and the 4 X 8 making it all the way to the State Meet. On the girls' side, perhaps the 4 X 1."

Captain, Justin Pacifico (Jr.)

"This is my third year of track (just one year of cross country). I've run the 400 (50.42), 800 (2:00.60), 1600 (4:36.38), and 3200. I can probably run the 200 in under 23 (currently 23.09), but he (Halliday) probably won't put me in it. He just wants me to get the most points for the team.

"As a team, we have our best chances in the 4 X 4 and 4 X 8."

Alex Centi (Sr.)

"I'm doing the 800 and 4 X 8. Individually, I want to PR by four seconds in the 800 (currently at 2:00.80). I was offered a scholarship to Lincoln College in Illinois (majoring in business administration). If I run a 1:56 or better, I can get an even better scholarship.

"Our team goal is to win the State Championship; bring another SC to Halliday. I think we have a good team; there's good team chemistry."

Captain, Ashton Garrett (Sr.)

"I want to break two in the 800 (currently at 2:08.52), and go under 4:20 in the 1600 (4:44.54) and 9:50 in the 3200 (10:05.44). Whenever it happens, it happens. I'm going to give it my all every time I step on the track."

Hurdles

Coach Kadeem Williams

"I told Coach Halliday my situation here--I didn't go back to Texas (South Plains College, where he ran a 14.66 110 and 51.87 400) and did not train. So (after taking Kadeem under his wing as an assistant coach) every day after we're done practicing with the high schoolers, he trains me in the 400 hurdles. Halliday really knows what he's doing; that's why I wanted to come back.

"I'm doing on-line class at Tallahassee Community College. After I get my AA degree, I am going to transfer to KU--University of Kansas--or FSU. I have run a 51.8 for the 400 hurdles, unattached, but I hope to compete and maybe win a scholarship.

"My responsibilities at FPC include working with the hurdlers and the 400 runners. I teach them techniques, and get them to run faster.

"I think, on the hurdle side, the girls are a lot stronger--which is a very good thing. Not only is Devonne our strongest hurdler, but she's also one of the power legs in the 4 X 4. If they train hard, the girls should definitely make it to the State Meet Devonne in the 100 hurdles; Devonne, Josie Davis (49.05 PR), and Baylee Mills (50.80 PR) in the 300.

"The guys have to work harder, especially Markens St. Pierre in the 110s."

Devonne Friday (Sr.)

"I run the 100 hurdles, the 300 hurdles, the 4 X 1, and the 4 X 4. I'm looking to PR in the 300s (currently 46.33), sub-45.

"As a team, I think there's a lot of potential. We have a lot of new girls coming to try out. I would love to make it to the States in the 4 X 4. I would also like to go as an individual.

"I'm a senior and I'm looking to go to UCF for architecture, if I can get money (scholarship) for track."

The Sprints

Coach, Keenan Hraib

"Right now our biggest thing is the sprints. We have a good distance team, but our sprints are really good, particularly the relays, and especially the 4 X 1. That is not only locally, but perhaps nationally as well. Our 4 X 1 has the potential to do some damage. Everyone is returning. In order of exchange we have Queshan Byrd, Marcel Williams, and Jimmie Robinson. Right now we are not sure who will be running anchor, but we have a couple of guys vying for that leg. I'm hoping that we can go low 41s, or 41 flat. I think we can do even better than 41."

Captain, Marcel Williams (Sr.)

"I do the sprints: 100 (11.03), 200 (22.28), 400 (49.51), 4 X 1, 4 X 2, and 4 X 4.

"My personal goal is to win in every meet. In the open 400 I want to go 48; the (school) record is close to 48. In the 100 I want to break 11, and in the two hundred to break 22, and possibly 21.

"(Team wise) everyone is returning. Our team goal, in the 4 X 4, is to "split" the team (45 or 46 seconds). We can get first in the Districts, as we did last year (42.60 in the 4 X 1 and 3:22.57 in the 4 X 4), and get first in the Regionals (2nd in the 4 X 1 in 41.77, and 3rd in the 4 X 4 in 3:21.96 in '14). We would like to place first in the State Meet in both."

Captain, Ladeijah Williams (Sr.)

"I am a sprinter: 100 (12.68), 200 (26.05), 400 (60.99), 4 X 1, and 4 X 4. I also do the long jump. I don't always do the 100 and 200; I alternate...but I'd rather do the 200. I hate the 100. I have some catch-up speed, but the 100 is over in 12 seconds!

"I want to PR in the 200 (break 26), and the 400 (break 60). It's personal. I want to go to the Regionals in the 200, the 4 X 1 and the 4 X 4."

The Throws

Coach, Steve Collier

"I coached the last six years at Deland, and now I'm here. I have two throwers coming back."

Captain, Alantra McFadden (Sr.)

"I have to go out with a bang. This year I'm aiming to go out with a 120 (94.8 1/2' PR) in the discus and 36 (30' 7" PR) in the shot.

"We have new girls this season and I've been weight lifting with them. That should have a strong impact. Plus we are very supportive of each other, both in and out of the ring."

Alex Tovar and Mike Peppin (both Sophomores)

Mike: "The shot was something that I did while at Matanzas (36.4" PR). I transferred here during the summer) It--the shot--was always my second hobby, but we were never taught the proper way to throw the shot and discus.

"I want to throw the shot 45' and the discus 125."

"Alex: I came into the season with 34 and 101. For this season I want to throw 42 and 130. I spend a lot of time in the weight room and working on technique. When it comes to it, we get down to business; the meets are prime time."

Mike: "Yeah."

Alex: "Yeah."

Pole Vault

Tim Patrick, Captain (Sr.)

"For this season, I want to get 14 early on, and 15' 6" by the end. We're trying to repeat as district champions, and move up in the region to first. We need some work to get first in states, but we can do it.

(The challenge at Flagler is the afternoon wind.) "It is not quite so bad at meets, because of the "atmosphere" (competition), but at practice, it's difficult. It doesn't come from any one direction: it's all over the place. It will be a head wind one day, and a tail wind the next."

An Overview

Dave Halliday, Head Coach

"2013 was so senior-laden that I thought last year would be a rebuilding year. As it turned out, we were second in the region, and tenth or 11th in the state. I didn't see that coming. If it weren't for a dropped baton, we might have even finished fourth--because, even though our seniors had left, the young ones stepped up.

"We only lost four guys from last year's team. This year's senior group of boys and girls are a quality group.

"We are right at about 120 kids. Some are new, and some are figuring stuff out. Maybe it was different when I first got here 11 years ago, but success builds success, and recruiting and getting kids now is not a problem.

"There are 17 events and Coach Halliday can't be everywhere. The more successful your assistant coaches are, the more successful your team will be. I try to find people who are knowledgeable and can supervise their own event.

"Kids want to be coached by people who care. They know if you're genuine, and know if you know what you are talking about. As far as our assistant coaches, some are volunteers. Some are here some days, and some others, but everyone helping is a plus.

"We lose a few--some become head coaches--but we are fortunate enough to cover the holes.

"I used to think of myself as the young guy, but now I'm the "old guy." It's nice to have one of your former athletes come back for a season or two and have his excitement spill over the team, like in 2012, when I had Jarius Cooper. He was only here for a year, but I was glad to have him. Now I have Kadeem and I'm glad to have him here. It makes my job easier.

"It's a source of pride to me to have kids like it that much to stick around and coach. I'm not going to be around forever. I've been a coach 21 years and maybe I can do it for another ten, but if I can mentor my athletes to be the ones to replace me, that makes me think that despite those times away from my family, it makes it all worth it. Obviously my family is number one, but the team is close.

"My daughter is a senior, and that is another reason that this is going to be a fun year."

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