*The following is part 1 of a 4 part series covering the 2006 track and field season for 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A. These are strictly previews based on the top returnees, transfers, breakout cross country seasons, and my \"insight\". If I left anything out PLEASE email me. Thanks.
Team Preview
(G)- Last year, the power and the 1A title finally shifted to that other team in Gainesville in P.K. Yonge. It was the Valerie Flournoy and Shannon Stuckman show from the beginning to the end. The loss of Stuckman will sting P.K. Yonge, but Flournoy may just be too much of a one-woman show to stop. She has a great chance to win titles in the 100m, 200m, 100 H Hurdles, and the long jump (that's 40 points.) The FSU bound senior will have help from Roberts in the 3200 after a breakout cross country season, and Jakya Sheppard should be looking to improve on her 14th place finish from a year ago in the 800m. No other 1A team returns more points from a year ago. Although, Gary Droze usually pulls something out of the hat for Maclay. Look for the Blue Wave to be wearing gold again come April.
(B)- The P.K. Yonge boys helped their girls complete the sweep with a four point win over Bay Point a year ago. However, Baypoint returns a matured and experienced sprinting crew led by Edwards, Osborne, Cochran, and Moore. This quartet has a great chance to score major points in the 100, 200, 110 hurdles, and the relays. The Anderson twins from P.K. Yonge will need to double in the 1600 and 3200 if they hope to defend their title. The only problem is the twins may not even be able to make it out of a STACKED region in both events. It also wouldn't hurt if they got some help from their field events. If it comes down to the 4x400m relay at the end then expect Baypoint to pull out the W.
Event Preview
4x800m (G) - With all of their legs returning, King's Academy is the run away favorite to repeat and win the state title. It helps to have a 2:09 leg, but the other two 2:18 legs aren't too shabby either. Oak Hall and Maclay can still pick up valuable team points here with second and third place finishes.
4x800m (B) - Trinity Christian pulled out the surprise here last year, but I'm not sure they return enough fire power to do it again. Oak Hall may just be the early favorite with both Harris brothers returning and a solid 2:02 leg coming in the form of Bucholz transfer Taylor Stringer. Other contenders could arise from Maclay, Pensacola Christian, or even Holy Trinity.
100m H. Hurdles (G): Two words. Valerie Flournoy.
Top Contenders:
Valerie Flournoy (P.K. Yonge) 13.90
Caitlin Bowne (Coral Springs Christian) 14.82
Mary Beth Renfro (Holy Trinity) 14.80
Elena Trejo (South Walton) 16.17
05' Winner= Valerie Flournoy (P.K. Yonge) 14.03
110m H. Hurdles (B): This is a toss up between Brown and Dady. While Dady excels at the longer distance hurdles (300), Brown has the speed edge in the 110's.
Top Contenders
Keith Brown (Baldwin) 15.19
Johnathan Dady (Jefferson County) 15.28
Lorenzo Moore (Baypoint) 16.33
Nick Mercado (Cambridge) 16.38
05' Winner= Keith Brown (Baldwin) 15.19
100m (G) - You know, it would be almost foolish to bet against 2x defending champ Valerie Flournoy so I won't. Flournoy has shown championship composure since her freshman season so don't expect her final year to be any different. This will be one of the many state titles she accumulates during the night.
Top Contenders:
Valerie Flournoy (P.K. Yonge) - 12.23
Amanda Martorana (St. Johns Country Day) - 12.40
Catie Bowne (Coral Springs Christian) - 12.59
Venisha Lewis (Moore Haven) - 12.80
05' Winner= Valerie Flournoy (P.K. Yonge) 12.42
100m (B) - Always one of the more difficult events to call, the 1A title was won by Baypoint Freshman Lavaris Edwards last spring but it will likely go to whoever gets the best start out of the blocks. Michael Jackson (the sprinter from FAMU, not the former pop star) will be right on his tail. Who will lean first?
Top Contenders:
Lavaris Edwards (Baypoint) 10.93
Michael Jackson (FAMU) 10.92
Anjuan Merell (Upperroom Christian) 11.34
Loren Miller (Jay) 11.34
05' Winner= Lavaris Edwards (Baypoint) 10.92
1600m (G)- Mercer-Neal from King's Academy is the clear favorite in this event winning two of the last three 1600m titles, but if Rebecca Zuhlke's cross country season is any indication of thing's to come then look for her to return to her 04' form which saw her run 5:08/2:15.
Top Contenders:
Hailey Neal (King's Academy) 5:07.66
Allison Babb (Oak Hall) 5:19.14
Alicia Fenley (Maclay) 5:19.99
Rebecca Zuhlke (Holy Trinity) 5:21.57
05' Winner= Hailey Neal (King's Academy) 5:11.29
1600m (B)- Food poisoning took it's toll on the Harris brothers from Oak Hall a year ago, but the two top returnees in 1A will look to go 1-2 in the mile this year and watch what they eat. R. Harris ran 4:24 last year as a freshman and has an unbelievable upside. He could be challenged by an Anderson twin from P.K. Yonge, a Cookie from Holy Trinity, or a Schmuck from the Panhandle.
Top Contenders:
Ryan Harris (Oak Hall) 4:24.30
Miles Harris (Oak Hall) 4:28.55
Michael Anderson (P.K. Yonge) 4:29.33
Jeremy Schmuck (Pensacola Christian Academy) 4:29.60
Kyle Cooke (Holy Trinity) 4:30
05' Winner= Justin Taylor (St. Joe's) 4:18.20
4x100m (B)- Predicted winner=Jefferson County
4x100m (G) - Predicted winner=Trinity Prep
400m (G) – One of the most wide open events this year in 1A. The past three 1A state finals have only produced three sub 60 performers. Who will join that elite company this year? Well don't expect a run away winner as in year's past with such a close group of returnees coming back. With defending champion Laquenda Ward from Chiefland moving up to 2A the void is left for anyone to fill.
Top Contenders:
Samantha Specht (Shorecrest Prep) 1:01.05
Nora Gentry (St. Stephen's Episcopal) 1:01.19
Jackie Ferguson (Cantebury) 1:01.97
Kali Flanders (Baker) 1:02.11
05' Winner=Laquenda Ward (Chiefland) 58.99
400m (B)- A disqualification prevented #1 seed Cochran from Baypoint from winning the title a year ago. Don't count on him to make that mistake again with a team title on the line. The top returnee in this event, Cochran could be challenged by his own teammate in J. Cannida as well as J. Carter from St. Johns Country Day. Should be a fun one to watch
Top Contenders:
James Cochran (Baypoint) 49.73
Julius Cannida (Baypoint) 50.02
Jassen Carter (St. Johns CD) 50.03
Carl Osborne (Baypoint) 50.36
05' Winner=Brandon Hicks (Trinity Christian) 49.01
300m Low Hurdles (G): Like fine wine, Bowne has gotten better with age as she goes for her fourth consecutive title in this event. A threat in the 110's as well, Bowne does not have many challengers who will stand in her way with Stuckman from P.K. Yonge graduating.
Top Contenders:
Caitlin Bowne (Coral Springs Christian) 44.96
Mary Beth Renfro (Holy Trinity) 47.48
Kaley Bracey (First Academy) 48.84
Amelia Lanier (Maclay) 49.63
05' Winner=Catie Bowne (Coral Springs Christian) 44.96
300m Intermediate Hurdles (B) - Dady of Jefferson County was a Super Soph last year in winning the 300m hurdle title and placing 2nd in the 110m hurdles. Look for him to defend his title in a sub 40 effort with the next competitor a hurdle behind
Top Contenders:
Jonathan Dady (Jefferson County) 40.53
Brockston Whitfield (Jay) 41.43
Matt Glass (American Heritage) 41.55
Lorenzo Moore (Baypoint) 41.82
05' Winner=Jonathan Dady (Jefferson County) 40.53
800m (G) - The 1A 800m title and Danielle Bradley seem to go hand in hand. They've been together now for three straight years and have no plans of breaking up come April. The future Lady Baylor Bear will be challenged for around 200m or so by possibly Mercer, but should collect her fourth state title in as many years. Bradley is a class act who should be in the 2:06-7 range by Outdoor Nationals.
Top Contenders:
Danielle Bradley (King's Academy) 2:09.51
Hilary Neal (formerly Mercer-King's Academy) 2:18.83
Kristen Baker (Blountstown HS) 2:21.08
Alicia Fenley (Maclay) 2:21.66
05' Winner= Danielle Bradley (King's Academy) 2:13.08
800m (B) THE MOST WIDE OPEN EVENT IN 1A. Fidel Betancourt has the only sub 2 returning time, but as anyone who watches track can tell you the 800m is always wide open. 2x winner Justin Taylor is off to UF for bigger and better things, but there will be plenty of challengers to help fill the void. Betancourt has experience, but will be challenged by Willis from Upperoom who went out silly fast last year but faded on the home stretch. Oak Hall import Taylor Stringer may also have something to say along with Mooney and Rousonelos.
Top Contenders
Fidel Betancourt (Dade Christian) 1:58.47
Byron Willis (Upperoom Christian) 2:01.91
Taylor Stringer (Oak Hall) 2:02.38
Zach Rousonelos (Indian Rocks) 2:02.69
05' Winner= Justin Taylor (St. Joe's) 1:55.47
200m (G)- Once again, Flournoy will be looking to defend her title and do whatever it takes for her team to take it all. However, if Flournoy slips up some how Laramore will be right there to clean up the mess.
200m (B) - Can Edwards pull of the infamous 100/200 double a sophomore? As impressive as it would be, his competition in the 200 will be tougher then the 100. Will be challenged by his teammate, Osborne, and Miller from Jay.
Top Contenders: Lavaris Edwards (Baypoint) – 22.58 Carl Osborne (Baypoint) – 22.75 Loren Miller (Jay) – 23.01 Bernard Scott (Admiral Farragut) – 23.56 05' Winner=Derek Cason (P.K. Younge) 22.07
3200m (G) The Kayla Hale v. Hailey Neal two mile duel round 2. In a race for the ages last year, Neal out leaned Hale at the line for the 3200m win. However, this past fall Hale returned the favor by crushing Neal by more than 30+ seconds on the grass at the state cross country meet. Bradley from King's Academy could also be in the mix if she decides to run it right after the 800 like last year.
Top Contenders: Hailey Neal (King's Academy) 11:09.40 Kayla Hale (Holy Trinity) 11:09.76 Danielle Bradley (King's Academy) 11:11.41 Allison Babb (Oak Hall) 11:37.74 05' Winner=Hailey Neal (King's Academy) 11:09.40
3200m (B) Is this the YEAR? The year when Austin Joiner finally collects that elusive 3200m title that has evaded him by a total of less than 3 SECONDS combined over the past 3 years? His biggest challenge will likely come from 1A cross country champ Michael Anderson who will be much improved on his 9:46 from a year ago. So if Joiner can get past an Anderson here and a teammate there then all systems go especially with Coach Butler now at the helm.
Top Contenders: Austin Joiner (Holy Trinity) 9:32.29 Kyle Cooke (Holy Trinity) 9:40.16 Michael Anderson (P.K. Yonge) 9:46.92 Geoffrey Anderson (P.K. Yonge) 9:58.14 05' Winner= Justin Taylor (St. Joe's) 9:31.47
4x400m (G)- Expect Santa Fe Catholic, Oak Hall, and Dade Christian to all be in it again this year with most relay squads returning their key legs. Catholic returns the most so naturally they are the favorites.
4x400m (B) - This event might determine the team outcome, but Bay Point will be untouchable in this relay. They return legs of 50.02, 49.73, 50.36, and they have a 10.90 100m guy. O ya, and their all underclassmen this year. Look out for 3:20 or faster effort at the end of the night.
Long Jump (G)-Top Contenders: Valerie Flournoy (P.K. Yonge) 18-04 Michelle Jenije (North Florida Christian) 17-05 Anne DelBovo (Santa Fe Catholic) 16-09 Chelsea Hatcher (Berkeley Prep) 16-02 05' Winner= Valerie Flournoy 18-04
(B)Brandon Mathis (Trenton High School) 22-00 Bernard Scott (Admiral Faragaut) 21-10 Andrae Walker (Hillard) 21-09 Jonathan Dady (Jefferson County) 20-09 05' Winner=Eddie Russ (Cottondale) 22 06.25
Triple Jump (G) (Top Contenders: Michelle Jenije (North Florida Christian) 38-09 Laura Kushe (Maclay) 35-07 Horn, Adrienne (NW Christian) 34-03.00 Nicholas, Dequina (Pensacola Christian) 34-02.00 05' Winner=Michelle Jenije (NFC) 38-09
(B) Andrae Walker (Hilliard) 44-01 Frank DeSalvo (Community School of Naples) 44-05 Bobby Davis (St. John Neumann) 43-01.50 Charlie Robinson (Calvary Christian) 43-00.75 05' Winner=Aaron Ellison (Hawthorne) 46-07.50
High Jump (G) Top Contenders Thomas, Brittney (Bronson) 5-00.00: Dover, Taylor (Jay) 4-10.00 Heidel, Cache (Famu) 4-10.00 Schooley, Kristen (Benjamin) 4-10.00 05' Winner=Jessie Barker (Father Lopez) 5-0
(B) Jose Obergon (Dade Christian School) 6-04 Frank DeSalvo Community School of Naples 6-02.00 Keith Brown (Baldwin) 6-00.00 Anthony Sheffield (Upperoom Christian) 5-10.00 05' Winner=James Hughes (Graceville) 6-08
Shot Put (G) Top Contenders: Alasha Smiley (Port St. Joe) 35-05 Reese, Tariesa (Paxton) 34-07.00 Jennings, Stephani (Westminster Christian) 34-01.00 Bullock, Anna (Jay) 32-09.00 05' Winner=Kittery Neale (Oak Hall) 40-01
(B) Thomas, Jonathan (Liberty County) 44-02.00 Broeseker, Andrew (North Florida Christian) 43-04.75 Thomas, Erik (Lakeland Christian) 39-11.25 Walker, Ryan (Northside Christian) 39-01.00 05' Winner=Brandon Eddiness (Upperoom Christian) 52-08
Discus (G) Top Contenders: Ashley Williams (Dade Christian) 121-08 Alexandra McCormick (Paxton High School) 116-07 Stephanie Jennings (Westminster Academy) 111-02 Sweetwater Brown (Paxton) 109-09 05' Winner=Kittery Neale (Oak Hall) 126-01
(B) Zachary Norris (Port St. Joe) 147-06.50 Eric Clayman (St. Johns CD) 142-06 Erik Thomas (Lakeland Christian School) 142-01 Kevin Frances (Father Lopez) 102-02 05' Winner=Travis Whitfield (Jay) 154-05
Pole Vault (G) Top Contenders: Catherine Frappier (South Walton) 10-06 Emily Cook (Montverde Academy) 9-06 Laura Kuhse (Maclay) 9-06 Rachel Friedman (University School) 9-00 05' Winner= Lori Bowen (Maclay) 11-07
(B) David Miller (Trinity Prep) 12-06
Zach Cole (Northside Christian) 12-00
Noah Thompson (Coral Springs Christian) 11-06
Tyson Von Scherrer (Coral Springs Christian) 11-00
05' Winner=Stirlin Van Winkle (Maclay) 14-06
To Be Continued...