Boys Warrior of the Week: Levonte Whitfield

Florida Warrior of the Week - 2011 Track and Field

May 04, 2011

BOYS WINNER: Levonte Whitfield - Sophomore @ Jones

Before Levonte “Kermit” Whitfield got in the blocks for the 200 a Jones assistant coach asked him what his confidence level was. The Jones sophomore usually responds with 9-10 but thiOs time he had a different answer, a billion. Coach Fred Ray instantly knew Whitfield was ready for the big stage.

“He was tying his shoes and said coach a billion, coach a billion, and then took off running. I thought that was great right there in the state championship. I think he grew up a lot during that run for the state title.”

When Whitfield speaks his coaches listen. Before the state series started the sophomore told Ray that he wanted to be a state champion. Over that time he put in the hard work and dedication necessary to achieve those goals.

“He really concentrated on his starts, getting out of the blocks, and running all those races with Marvin (Bracy) gave him some confidence because him and Marvin have a great relationship, and running with him helped Levonte to understand what he needed to do to get better, and he took that challenge. I’m proud of him for going after that challenge and I’m proud of him for doing what he needed to do.”

Whitfield got the job done finishing first in the 100 (10.69), second in the 200 (21.35), and anchored the winning 4x1 relay. Their time of 40.94 is the fifth fastest time in the country for 2011. Ray says that 4x1 group was one of the favorites he has coached and they also had goals of winning a state title from day one.

“Each and every one of those legs was probably the best we’ve had all year in the two years that they ran that. They relish the fact they got to perform in Orlando in front of their home crowd and as they were walking down they knew how many people from the community came to watch them run, and they wanted to put on a good show for their family, friends and the community. All we need to do is give Kermit a chance at the end because Kermit is going to bring it home. He put a stamp and an exclamation point on that race especially in the state championships.”

Ray sees a bright future for the young sophomore and believes he is a key piece in the Tigers return to their glory days of track and field.

“I think he has another gear he can still go to. Watching him Saturday I truly believe if he sets his mind to it and has that drive he can do it. He proved something to me these last three when he told me he was going to be a state champion. I told these guys right before the meet they could go down as the greatest track team Jones has ever seen. These guys want to be state champions and I think it sets the tone for the future runners of Jones High School. The goal is to bring prominence back to a once proud program.”