Jarez Parks had never thrown over 200 feet in the discus before stepping to the circle for his last attempt at the Florida High School Athletic Association finals on Friday.
In fact, his competitor, Niceville's Edward Shelikoff, had made sure that Parks' final attempt would be all near impossible when he landed a then-leading 200 feet, 8 inch mark to take the lead.
But Parks never feared.
The University of Alabama football signee heaved a phenomenal final effort of 210-5 to take the event in a new personal best, state record and a US No. 5 mark. The attempt surpassed the previous state record of 203-4 by Charlotte (FL.) High's Westley Stockbarger in 2004.
He became the fifth boy this spring to throw over 210 feet and entered the all-time ranks with a top 35 throw.
"This is what I needed," Parks told Flrunners. "I've been working my butt off for this and on that last throw, I just let it out."
Parks, a four-star recruit and defensive end in football, also won the state shot put in 58-1.
He surpassed his previous best of 190-1 in 2016.
Event 90 Boys Discus Throw 3A Varsity
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Name Year School Finals Points
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1 Parks, Jarez 12 Sebastian Ri 64.15m 210-05 10
48.06m FOUL FOUL FOUL 60.60m 64.15m
2 Shelikoff, Edward 12 Niceville HS 61.17m 200-08 8
61.05m FOUL FOUL FOUL 57.77m 61.17m
3 Poole, Jordan 12 Chiles HS 50.91m 167-00 6
46.62m 41.60m FOUL 50.91m 43.78m 39.03m
4 Woo, Jon 12 Palmetto Rid 49.82m 163-05 5
43.66m 45.43m 49.82m 44.18m 45.64m 44.95m
5 Miles, Bethal 10 Northeast HS 49.23m 161-06 4
43.91m 47.55m 47.69m 43.54m 46.13m 49.23m
6 Manuel, Kyle 11 Springstead 47.74m 156-07 3
FOUL 45.59m 45.84m FOUL 45.61m 47.74m
7 Pierce, Anthony 11 Auburndale H 47.51m 155-10 2
40.79m FOUL 47.51m 42.03m 45.75m 45.82m
8 Topel, Heath 12 Niceville HS 44.99m 147-07 1 