Florida Track & Field and Cross Country News

LAST CHANCE: Vote Girls Track & Field Athlete of The Year Todd Grasley Jul 30, 2016

Want to have your say in who is named the Florida Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year? We narrowed it down to the top ten performers from the 2016 season. Now it is time to vote. Learn more about the nominees and select who you think deserves this honor. Voting will close Sunday, July 31st, at 11:59 p.m. The fan selected winner along with our choice for Athlete of the Year will be named on Monday, August 1st.

LAST CHANCE: Vote Boys Track & Field Athlete of The Year Todd Grasley Jul 30, 2016

Want to have your say in who is named the Florida Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year? We narrowed it down to the top ten performers from the 2016 season. Now it is time to vote. Learn more about the nominees and select who you think deserves this honor. Voting will close Sunday, July 31st, at 11:59 p.m. The fan selected winner along with our choice for Athlete of the Year will be named on Monday, August 1st.

3A Top 100 Fastest Returning XC Girls: Greenwave's Krissy Gear Gearing Up For State Championship Season Todd Grasley Jul 30, 2016

Ft. Myers senior Krissy Gear was second at the state meet in 2015 with a personal of best time of 18:12.65. She comes into the fall as the top returner in 3A with only one other runner, Kara Funke, of Leesburg, with a best under 18:30. We take a look at the top 100 girls in 3A for the 2016 cross country season.

3A Top 100 Fastest Returning XC Boys: Clark One Of Creekside's Many Aces Todd Grasley Jul 30, 2016

The Creekside boys are the reigning 3A state champions and have four of the top 21 returners in the state and all five in the top fifty lead by junior Matthew Clark and his 15:49.60 personal best from Pre-State We rank the top 100 boys in 3A heading into the 2016 season.

Remembering Ernie Chatman: Florida Coaching Legend Passes Away At Age 66 Todd Grasley Jul 29, 2016

The Florida athletic community lost a legend this past weekend with the passing of Hernando coach William "Ernie" Ernest Chatman Jr. Coach Chatman coached for over 40 years in Hernando County and was the HHS cross country for 28 years from (1981-2009), and serving as the track and field coach for five years. Over that time he has coached many of the Sunshine State's top runners including Ben and Drew Martucci (pictured above with Coach Chatman), as well as names like Paul (Jody) Spangler, Jason Heatherley, and Casey Isaacs. Here is what the running community had to say about Coach Chatman.

2A Top 100 Fastest Returning XC Girls: Bolles Collier Favorite To Win After Awful Fall In 2015 Todd Grasley Jul 29, 2016

Bolles sophomore Caitlin Collier was INCHES away from claiming her first cross country state championship. Collier collapsed right before the line and saw her closest competitor Alyssa Pujals of Pine Crest cruise in for the victory. The Bulldog sophomore is coming off a stellar track season where she won the 800, 1,600, and 3,200m titles. Her PR of 17:41.80 from NXNSE Region is the only time in 2A under 18 minutes. Take a look at the top 100 girls returners for the 2016 season.

2A Top 100 Fastest Returning XC Boys: Hernando's Foley Hopes To Bounce Back In 2016 Todd Grasley Jul 29, 2016

Hernando junior Trevor Foley started out his sophomore season with an early season of PR of 15:34.53 to finish second at the UF Mt. Dew Invitational, was sixth at the flrunners.com Invitational, and won every race up until regionals. Injury struck and Foley ended up placing 75h at the Cross Country Finals. Can he bounce back in 2016? We take a look at the top 100 boys returners in 2A which includes the top eight all under 16:00.

Wiregrass Ranch Gets In Work At Webber Warrior Running Camp Todd Grasley Jul 29, 2016

The Wiregrass Ranch Cross Country team spent part of their summer training and building team bonds at the Webber International University Warrior Running Camp. Sophia Rodriguez has been attending the camp with her teammates for three years now, says it's always amazing, and shared with us photos of their time at camp!

Which College Has The Best Girls 2016 Recruiting Class? Helena Harding Jul 29, 2016

Scroll through to see which college has the best girls recruiting class for 2016!

Which College Has The Best Boys Recruiting Class? Jack Miller Jul 29, 2016

Who has the best college recruiting class this year? And where do Florida and Oregon rank after the Lyles and Drew Hunter go pro?

1A Top 100 Fastest Returning XC Girls -Oak Hall's Grace Blair In Hunt For Ind/Team Titles Todd Grasley Jul 28, 2016

Sophomore Rebecca Clark was just shy of a state title as an 8th grader and 9th grader finishing as the 1A runner-up in both races. In 2016, she will be running for The Villages High School, and move up from 1A into a different classification, opening the door for Oak Hall junior Grace Blair.. Blair comes in with a PR nearly 20 seconds faster than her nearest competitor with a time of 18:34.10! Check out the top 100 girls returners in 1A.

1A Top 100 Fastest Returning XC Boys - Hyland Looking To End Senior Season On High Note Todd Grasley Jul 28, 2016

Pine School senior Chase Hyland is hoping to end his cross country career on a high note with his first state title. Hyland, was fourth in 2015 as a junior and comes in as the fastest returner in class 1A with a PR of 16:09 from the Foot Locker South Regional.

Girls 400m Team Depth Rankings Helena Harding Jul 27, 2016

MileSplit takes a look at who has the best girls 400m team depth in the country.

Top 50 Girls Returning XC Teams - Based On 3200m Track Times: Chiles Front Three Under 11:25 Todd Grasley Jul 26, 2016

With track season ending we bridge the gap to the start of cross country by using our extensive stats database. to take a look at the top 50 girls cross country teams based on 3,200m track times. The Chiles girls hope their success on the track parlays into more state titles for the Timberwolves cross country program. Ana Wallace's 11:05.19 is the top returning time in the state for 3,200m and gives the team three girls under 11:25. 

Top 50 Boys Returning XC Teams - Based On 3200m Track Times - Satellite Boasts 9:45 Team Average Todd Grasley Jul 26, 2016

With track season ending we bridge the gap to the start of cross country by using our extensive stats database. to take a look at the top 50 boys cross country teams based on 3,200m track times.  Coach Doug Butler and the Satellite Scorpions should contend for a podium spot in a loaded 2A with the likes of John Cacciatore and Egan and Trevor Kattenberg all having run eight laps in under 9:40 and an average top five time of 9:46.11!

One Time At Running Camp: Wharton Wildcats Take On North Carolina Todd Grasley Jul 26, 2016

The Wharton Wildcats headed up to North Carolina to take part in the Appalachian State Running Camp where they came away with valuable training and bonding that they will bring into the 2016 cross country season as one of the top teams in 4A. Chandler Good and Cate Small give us an inside look at their running camp experience.

Florida XC Meet Directors: MileSplit Online Registration Is FREE! Todd Grasley Jul 26, 2016

Attention to all meet directors and timers of cross country meets in Florida, the MileSplit online registration is now FREE for all to use after we created our automated wizard for coaches and meet directors this past spring to set up their own hosted meets online for entries. Take advantage of this opportunity to have your meet prominently featured for prospective teams and coaches to enter your event on the go to website for coverage of the sport in Florida!

Top 50 Girls Returning XC Teams - Based On 1600m Track Times - Bolles Top 7 Under 5:30 Todd Grasley Jul 25, 2016

With track season ending we bridge the gap to the start of cross country by using our extensive stats database. Take a look at the top girls cross country teams based on 1,600m track times. The Bolles girls have their top seven girls owning personal bests under 5:30, while 4A power Winter Park has their first five under 5:30 on the track. 

Top 50 Boys Returning XC Teams - Based On 1600m Track Times - Chiles/Creekside Come In At #2 & #3 Todd Grasley Jul 25, 2016

With track season ending we bridge the gap to the start of cross country by using our extensive stats database. to take a look at the top 50 boys cross country teams based on 1,600m track times. The top three teams in our list come from North Florida with Bolles, Chiles, and Creekside. Chiles and Creekside went at it in 3A last year and look to duplicate that rivalry in 2016.

Cogdell Part Of Gold Medal 4x4, Greene 5th In HJ On IAAF World U 20 Championships Final Day Todd Grasley Jul 24, 2016

The final day of the IAAF World U20 Championship saw two Florida athletes make final strides at a medal. Nicole Greene had 48 hours to prepare for the high jump finals and ended her track season with a fifth place finish, while Ari Cogdell ran the second leg for Team USA on the gold medal 4x400m relay.

Recruiting Rundown: Chauncy Smart - Auburndale High School Todd Grasley Jul 24, 2016

July 1st marked the open recruiting period for college coaches around the country to contact the top class of 2017 prospects. Over the next 12 months we will chronicle some of Florida's best on their recruiting journey including Auburndale senior Chauncy Smart. Smart's personal best of 10.30w to win the Pepsi Florida Relays ranks as the third best 100m time in the nation in the senior class.

2016 T&F Memorable Moments: Hertenstein's Epic Comeback: Gets Knocked Down, Rallies To Win 4A 1600m State Title Todd Grasley Jul 23, 2016

Riverview sophomore Bailey Hertenstein completed one of the most epic comebacks in state history. With 450 meters to go in the girls 4A 1,600, the Riverview sophomore gets tripped up and tumbles to the track. With no fear she gets back up and rallies from 8th place to first for the first title of her track and field career! (Race video courtesy of Anthony Bolton)

Ari Cogdell & Team USA 4x100m Relay Advance To IAAF World U20 Finals Todd Grasley Jul 23, 2016

American High School class of 2015 graduate and current University of Tennessee standout Ari Cogdell was a member of the Team USA 4x400m relay team that advanced to the finals of the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Nicole Greene Clears 1.80m On Second Attempt To Clinch Spot In High Jump Finals Todd Grasley Jul 22, 2016

The fourth day of the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships didn't have any Florida athletes in the running events, but the Sunshine State was represented in the field. Ponte Vedra class of 2015 high jumper, and rising UNC sophomore, Nicole Greene, came into the meet as the USA Junior Nationals champion. Greene cleared the first three heights of 1.70, 1.74, and 1.77m on her first attempt, and leaped over 1.80m on her second to advance to Friday's women's high jump final.

Hamstring Injury Keeps World U20 Bronze Medalist Khalifa St. Fort From 200, 4x1 Todd Grasley Jul 22, 2016

IAAF World U20 Championship women's 100m bronze medalist Khalifa St. Fort will not compete in the 200m dash or 4x100m relay for Trinidad & Tobago due to a hamstring injury. St. Fort's time in Poland will end on that note as the teenage professional prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio where she will run on the 4x100m relay for the national team.

IAAF World U 20 Championships Day 2 Florida Recap: St. Fort Brings Home Bronze Medal Todd Grasley Jul 21, 2016

World Youth silver medalist Khalifa St. Fort was the lone athlete with Florida ties to make the Final on day three of the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships while a loaded semifinal heat knocked out Jamal Walton, and former Colonial jumper and FSU freshman Armani Wallace concluded his international experience after making the finals.

Which State Would Make The Best Girls Sprint Relays? Helena Harding Jul 21, 2016

MileSplit takes an in-depth look at which State would make the best girls 4x400, and SMR.

Which State Would Make the Best Boys Sprint Relays? Jack Miller Jul 21, 2016

MileSplit takes an in-depth look at which state would make the best all-star 4x400m and SMR.

Salute To Seniors: Lindsay Tomaini - Community School Of Naples Todd Grasley Jul 21, 2016

The 2015-2016 school year has provided some great highlights in both cross country and track across the Sunshine State. In the coming weeks many of our seniors will head out to start their college careers both athletically and academically. We wanted to salute them one more time in this special feature and say thank you for your support over the years.

IAAF World U 20 Championships Day 2 Florida Recap: St. Fort, Walton Advance To Semis Todd Grasley Jul 20, 2016

Three of the six Florida athletes competing at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships were in action on day two including sprinter Khalifa St. Fort, hurdler Damion Thomas, and quarter-miler Jamal Walton. St. Fort, and Thomas advanced to the semifinals Thursday, while Thomas looked in great position to make the finals, but a mishap in the semi's ended all hope. Colonial alumni and FSU freshman Armani Wallace recorded the fifth best triple jump to make Thursday's final.