Ever since Hugh Graham Jr. was six years old he has been running non-stop and unlike most two sport athletes, the Northwestern senior’s main priority lies on the track.  Graham is one of the top quarter milers in the country, but he didn’t always run that event. 

It was a full day of action on Saturday, with heat after heat of age group events in what is likely the largest showing ever at the Jimmy Carnes meet. For the high school scene, it was a breakthrough day for Shayla Sanders of Boyd Anderson who came out of the shadows in winning both the 55m and 200m over much favored Tynia Gaither of Osceola. Sanders set the US #3 marks in both events, Gaither put up a US #5 mark in the 200m to finish second. Marvin Bracy of Boone also opened his 2011 track season strongly, only running the 55 Meters and doing it well with a time of 6.37 (US #3).

The flag flies at half mast in a somber moment for King High School in Tampa and the running community. Today the campus was blanketed in raw grief as word spread that King sophomore Calyx Powers Schenecker, an engaging 16-year-old with a promising future as a Lions distance runner, had been murdered with her 13-year-old brother in her New Tampa home. (via www.tampabay.com)

The Jimmy Carnes Classic will take over Gainesville's O'Connel Center this weekend.  The "O-Dome" will host the two day indoor track & field meet, the only true indoor meet in Florida, this Saturday and Sunday with both youth age group and college divisions. Entry list and preview by Ricky Quintana are posted for this very competitive meet.

Holy Trinity senior Lindsey Enders has always had a love for computers and technology. She also has another love, pole vaulting. Combine the two and I guess you could say she’s starting to get the sport down to a science.

In different parts of the country, at this time of year the sport of track and field, by necessity, goes by several different names. Depending upon where you reside, and perhaps also depending upon the severity of the weather, it may be described as “indoor track,” “winter track,” or “conditioning.” (In Canada it is called skating, skiing, and ice hockey.) Winter, in Florida, as we all know, is absolutely perfect for track and field; subsequently we have an identification problem. In or out? The Embry Riddle people—who no doubt could have gotten the use of a nice cozy airplane hangar if they had so chosen—decided to turn meets inside, out.

Technically, it's an indoor meet run an on outdoor track, but regardless of the classification the track season in Florida has started. In addition to the collegiate competition at the Embry-Riddle Indoor/Outdoor challenge, a few high schoolers also mixed it up. Kari Grippo, who is a freshman at Gulf High but must sit out this season due to FHSAA regulations, won the Womens Mile race with a time of 5:28.15.  Just behind her was Katelyn Greenleaf of Northside Christian in 5:28.25. Complete results and a photo album by Ralph Epifanio are now posted.  

After an amazing college career, which was proceeded by signing a professional contract with New Balance, we haven't heard much from Jenny. Now married and having changed her last name from Barringer to Simpson, the Oviedo High alum is back in action after a 7-month layoff due to a hip injury. And apparently is doing just fine!

The start of regular season track & field in Florida is just a month away and we have a packed schedule. We will attempt to bring to you coverage from all over the state.

Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola is proud to announce their brand new eight lane TopTrax Latex Series track system from All-American Tracks Corp.

Seven-time state champion Octavious Freeman has her eyes set on gold, but this time it is Olympic gold. Following this season, the Lake Wales senior will have to decide whether to run collegiately or professionally.  

Jerimy Strainge of North Broward Prep had a dramatic rise to the top last season. Despite being just a freshman he soared to the top of the pack, winning the 2A state championship in both the 100m (10.56) and 200m (21.38). Winning two sprint golds is quite a feat for any runner in the state of Florida, which is known for producing some of the fastest runners in the country. But to do it as a freshman was just amazing! The ironic thing is that he never even had any intentions of being a runner.

Bridget Blake is “real excited” for track season and why shouldn’t she be? The Dr. Phillips sophomore is coming off a cross country state championship, as well as her two silver medals on the track in 2010.

When most kids were throwing tennis balls and Frisbees, John Carroll senior Justin Osking was launching the shot put and discus. He joined a summer track team as a youngster and one thing led to another.  Now the defending state champ has dreams of hurling the disc some 200 feet.

Boone’s Marvin Bracy is lightning fast. In 2010, the then sophomore standout wowed the crowd at the FHSAA state championships when he ran a blistering 10.19 second 100 meters to take home the title. Despite being wind aided, that mark gave him the fastest time in state meet history, faster than the likes of Chris Johnson, Walter Dix, Jeff Demps, and Chris Rainey. Bracy knew he was quick but wasn’t sure he was that quick.

Edgewater’s Britni Strates started 2011 off with some fireworks of her own.  On January 1st, the junior jumper announced her decision to head to ACC country and the University of Virginia.  Strate chose the Cavaliers over offers from William and Mary, Penn State, Auburn and Wake Forest. She says several factors went into her decision.