Electric Afternoon @ Bob Hayes: Whitfield-Williams Ridiculous 100, 200 Battles

Bob Hayes Invitational
Jason Byrne

On-Site Coverage

Whitfield-Williams Instant All-Time Epic Day; Two races, two winners

The Bob Hayes Invitational is aways hot hot hot. Out of many amazing performances on the day though, the Levonte Whitfield vs Kendal Williams battles in the 100 and 200 are one of the greatest in the meet's storied history.

It was a long day for Williams and Whitfield, which started at 10:40AM at Jacksonville Raines High School for the prelims of the 100 meter dash.  The quick qualifying heats served as an omen of things to come: 12 runners under 11 seconds with Whitfield in the pole position with a 10.42 and Kendal Williams in the third seed with a wind legal (his only legal time of the day) 10.59.

Whitfield sprung back into action less than an hour later for the 11:30AM 4x100 prelims, where he took the second leg to bring his time into the finals out of heat one with a 42.42. Williams got a break, sitting out the Stanton Prep's relay.

An hour and a half later, around 1:00, another fast preliminary round saw nine go sub 22 in the 200 meter dash. Whitfield nearly matched his US #1 20.98 time there with a 20.99 top seed in heat seven; Williams answered by easily winning heat nine in 21.19.

The fast rounds brought an extra-ordinary amount of buzz headed into the 100 meter finals at 2:50PM. Whitfield, the senior from Jones High who has committed to Florida State next year, entered as the favorite. He has the more impressive national resume that includes national championships, national leading times, and lots of hype. The younger Williams has plenty of gold of his own, just not yet to the extent of the my-cousin-is-Marvin-Bracy-fueled hype of Whitfield. The two are geographically removed and in separate classifications so they don't match up very often; however, going into the race Williams had never defeated Whitfield in any event in seven match-ups since 2011. Williams, a junior from Stanton Prep, was looking to change that.

The hype may have caused a few of the runners to get a little antsy in the blocks; causing three false starts and two disqualified runners. That alone can not only take some of the air out of the crowd, but often means the runners sit back a little more carefully and start conservatively to ensure they wait for the gun. If there was any hesitation, the race certainly did not indicate it. From the gun the two were tightly locked; the tandem quickly left the potent field (which included newly-minted New Balance Indoor National 200m champ Ceolamar Ways) in the dust. With a +2.4 m/s wind at the back, the two sailed in for Florida all-conditions top five all-time performances. Whitfield powered through the line 0.03 in front of Williams with jaw-dropping 10.15 to 10.18 win. You can imagine the vibrant and speed-hungry crowd were roaring! The two looked up at the clock, amazed like everyone else in attendance.

"It was good. I ran the perfect race... It was the best race (I've) every run," Whitfield said, "(after the three false starts) I just stayed in the blocks and the last one just got out. (In past races) he was five or six meters behind me... but he was on me this time!"

The night was far from over yet. In fact, for Levonte "Kermit" Whitfield he had another race in between before he could fully focus on the rematch with Williams in the 200 meter dash at 4:24pm.  Just 40 minutes after that meet record and US #1 time of 10.15, Williams stepped back on to the track and helped his Jones team to a second place finish in the 4x100 behind Gainesville 41.98 to 41.49.

An hour later it was go time again and everyone was amped to see another rematch. Every eye was on the two middle lanes, knowing they would see something special. "Possibly two sub 21? Maybe a 20-8?" many no doubt speculated. Around the curve they fought, puling up even and headed for home. Williams got his revenge and his first-ever win over Whitfield in their high school careers. Williams got there in 20.63 with a good push in the back from the +3.5 wind, with Whitfield's war-worn legs powring in .03 second back in 20.66.

"I had crept (up) on him, but I dipped a little out of the curve," Whitfield said replaying the race in his mind, "and then he put it on me and beat me at the line. It was crazy though... it was real cazy the whole day. The 100, 200, 4x1. I wasn't mad (about losing the 200) because it was a good race... I'm still very humbled."

Many will speculate what the times wind-legal may have been, but nothing can take away from one of the all-time best afternoons of sprint action in state history. Whitfield for his part did so running a race basically every hour with six on the day between 10:40 and 4:24. And they did so on a track surface that is not one of those super-springy modern marvels. If you are not excited now about what this spring holds for Florida tracksters, you're not a track fan!

Daesha Rogers Cruises to Two Victories in 800, 1600

Daesha Rogers, the eigth grader from American Heritage, had little problem dispelling of her competition in her two individual races of the day. She started out with a twenty second victory in the 1600 meters with a 4:59.78 win, better only by Bridgett Blake this season in Florida. Rogers then captured the 800 meter as well, by going three seconds better than her teammate Rachelle Alexander--2:17 to 2:20. Rogers closed out her evening with the third leg of the fast heat in the 4x400, where her American Heritage crew narrowly lost out to St. Thomas Aquinas, 3:51.42 to 3:51.97.

Kendall Ellis over Deja Parrish in US #3 54.72

Kendall Ellis of St. Thomas Aquinas has been making a name for herself this year in th 400, including being invited to the pretigious Brooks PR Invitational. Fellow Brooks PR invitee and local rival Deja Parrish of American Heritage was primed to do what she has done most of the times they've faced off in the past: win. Parrish has won eight of the last ten times the two have met in the 400 meter dash, including the last two times at Sam Burley and Brooks PR.  They also had a surprise guest thrown in there from up north, Cierra Dunston of Georgia.

All three juniors toed the line, knowing each other well from years of AAU/USATF competition. Today it was Ellis' day, bucking the trend and shaking off an early deficit to close and pull away with style. Ellis' time of 54.71 puts her at third in the nation and second in the state so far this outdoor season. Parrish hung on for a 55.48 second place, with Dunston in third 56.63.

Ellis also finished third in the 200 meters with a 24.56, and she went head-to-head with Diamond Spaulding and Parrish's 4x400 squad to end the night. Ellis and St. Thomas Aquinas won narrowly with a state-leading 3:51.42.

Deja Parrish on the 400: "I got out really well... I got out a lot faster like wanted to. The one thing I wish I could change was my close in the race. I was winning coming off of the curve I just need to learn how to relax and go to my technique when I get tired like I did today . Kendall Ellis had an awesone day today! She did very well. Big ups to her. Coming into the race I knew that Kendall was gonna be there which is always compeition, but I did not know that Cierra Dunston from Georgia was gonna be there. I know her fron summer track. During AAU she's one of the top 400 runners! Even though I am not happy with my performance today, it's just something that I can take and learn from. You live to run another day!"

NB Indoor 200 Champ Ceolamar Ways Just Gets Past Nick Uruburu 47.01-47.08

Coming off a quick 10.42 third place in the shadow of the epic Whitfield-Williams battle (plus the prelims), Nease senior Ceolamar Ways did not show it if he was tired.

Just forty minutes after the 100, it was time to do battle against the very tough Nick Uruburu. The Bartram Trail senior is well-known by now, at least in local circles, not for his red hair but for his superb 400 meter closing speed. This first came to major light last season when he led his team to one of the most insane closes ever to mow down about five teams, securing his team's victory in that event as well as the team state title. And he's done it again already this season including last weekend at the Bolles Bulldog Classic where he took his team from two second back to two seconds up and a 3:19.10 behind his 46.6 anchor leg! (Giving his team a half point team victory, I might add)

Uruburu key rival in this one, Ceolamar Ways, was riding high himself. It was just last week up in the Big Apple that Ceolamar Ways fought off the best in the business by winning the "national championship" at New Balance Indoors with a 21.39 200 dash victory on the 200 meter banked track at hte Armory in north Manhattan.

The two did not disappoint and though I (at htis point) lack video or a play-by-play the photo above and .06 margin of victory for Ways says it all. Ways edged out Uruburu 47.01 to 47.08--as of how the US #1 and US #2 times this season. Boy is it a great year for Florida sprinters!

Uruburu's night was far from over. He came back for a 21.45 fourth place finish in the 200 meters--behind sophomore Xavier Atkins of Spruce Creek (21.44)--and then capped off the night doing what he does best... win his team some 4x400 titles!!! Uruburu did it again with a stellar closing leg to come from behind and take down Flagler Palm Coast for the second week in a row in a tight 3:21.49 to 3:22.31 victory!

Ceolamar: "They were both great races. I was satisfied with both. I was just happy to PR in the 100 and 400. I knew Levonte and Kendall would push me so I just tried to stay with them in our race. Nick and I both ran very good races. Nick is a strong competitor but I wasn't gonna let him beat me. I just knew I needed to trust the training I've had and that I'd come out with the win. I look forward to many more battles between Nick and I"

Uruburu on 200: "The 200 today will probably be the best 200 matchup I will see in a while. When you have guys like Williams and Whitfield in front of you, it pulls you along to run fast. The times that were ran today were ridiculous! The only people that can run faster times than that, will be themselves."

Uruburu on 400: "Ceolamar and I have a good rivalry. I love racing him. We push each other every time we step on the track. We are truly making eachother better"

Georgia Invasion: Dyarius Tucker over Alan Frye Take by .006 (two zeros) at US #1 37.54

Dyarius Tucker nailed down the 110 meter hurdles victory with a windy US #6 14.11 over the 14.26 of Larry Donald of Bartram Trail.

Later in the afternoon Tucker, a senior from Hillgrove High in Georgia, went for the sweep by trying to take the 300 hurdles as well. Standing in his was a talented crowd including Kadeem Williams of Flagler Palm Coast and fellow Georgian Alan Frye of Campbell High. As the two crossed the line, leaning to nearly falling over was Frye. Who won? Surely no one in the crowd knew for sure and only due to the high speed photography of the FinishLynx system was any clarity added. By just three one thousanths of a second--0.003 with two zeros--Tucker maintained his lead and with it the national lead in in the intermediate hurdles. The two tied by hundreths (the extent to which results are published) with a 37.54 US #1 and #2! WOW!

Toria Levy US #5 300m Hurdles 42.93

Toria Levy used to be a 400 meter runner. That is until last year when her coaches discovered she was one heck of a hurdler. I'm sure there is a story there, but we'll have to save that for another day. The point is she has quickly built on her progress from last year (capped with fifth place in the state meet) to become the top 300 meter hurdler in the state of Florida.

She started out the finals round with a sixth place finish in the 100 meter hurdles, which is an event she has never competed in until just a few weeks ago. Her wind-aided time of 14.32 though was a new all-conditions personal best and improved upon her previous best of 14.43 just three days ago, when she won the Ft. Lauderdale City Championship.

Levy won her primary event--the 300 hurdles--with a solid 1.25 second victory over Altoniece Williams of Northwestern (44.14) and Ashley Lewish of Olympia (44.18). The St. Thomas Aquinas senior's time of 42.93 puts her at fifth in the nation and first in the state so far this season.  She closed the night with another win, along with teammates Kendall Ellis and sophomores Krystal Sparling and Alon Lewis. Toria's lead-off leg helped them pull off the 3:51.42 state-leading 4x400 victory over American Heritage (a half second back).

Sophomore Diamond Spaulding Runs Outdoor US #1 23.80 200m

Editor's Note: The Girls 200 managed to get in a wind legal race! Yay! Barely legal +1.8!

Diamond Spaulding focused (individually) on the 200 meters tonight, anticipating some grat competition from Kendall Ellis and J'Nea Bellamy, and that was a smart move! You need every bit your legs will give you in order to win at Bob Hayes! 

Bellamy, having already run hard in the 100 meters (second place 11.61 with a gusty +4.7 wind) and 4x100 (second 47.41), had an hour to bounce back. Ellis had fifty minutes from her 400 meter win.

Relatively fresh-legged Spaulding made them look flat with a half-second victory and a national leading time or 23.80. Just a sophomore, the American Heritage star set a huge new personal best with her first venture into the 23-minute club. She will now look toward the Florida Relays as her next big test to see what she can be pulled to against a deeper and fresher field. A week ago there was concern about her future this season, as she pulled out before the finals of the 200 at the Miramar Invitational after in injury. Looks like it was no issue today.

Spaulding also helped in the team's second place finish in the 4x400--Florida #2 3:51.97.

Spaulding on the 200: "I just knew if I didn't get out it wouldn't have been a good race. The competition was good J'nea Bellemy is an amazing athlete who did amazing today in the 100 and Kendall (Ellis) did amazing in the 400. I just knew it was a battle for who wanted it more. When I saw my time I was (in) shock, I wanted to cry tears of joy, but it was too cold for all of that lol. That's my PR and I'm proud of myself, and I just thank God for getting me off this injury."

Spaulding on the rest of he season: "My goals this season is to get a low 11 and a low 23 by states. I plan on going to the World Youth Trials. I'm very excited for the rest of the season. Now my next meet is Florida Relays! So I'm very excited for that because of all the competition and college scouts out there watching."

Other Highlights

  • Lloydricia Cameron of Miami Northwestern continues her dominance in both throws. She extended her lead in Florida with a US #5 154-8 in the discus and a Florida-leading 44-11 in the shot.
  • The wind gave a mighty push in the back (+4.7), but regardless it was a great outing for Krystal Sparling of St. Thomas Aquinas. The sophomore edged out J'Neal Bellamy of Southridge and Aquinas teammate Khalifa St. Fort with an 11.57 (11.61, 11.73) victory. The Aquinas duo also helped their team shortly thereafter to a 47.26 state-leading victory.
  • Nicole Greene, a sophomore at Ponte Vedra, took the state leader position in the high jump with a 5-9 clearance.
  • Darrielle McQueen of North Florida Christian swept the horizontal jumps with a 39-2 triple jump and a 19-9.5 long jump. There was no wind guage on those field events, but based on the readings for most of the races and the direction of the jump they likely got a little help. The times were improved upon her own all-conditions state rankings lead. McQueen was our Athlete of the Week two weeks ago after a similar sweep at Jesse Forbes.
  • Noah Kemp of St. Augustine won the 1600 meters by five seconds over Rayford James of Robert E. Lee. Kemps' time of 4:23.33 is seventh bset in Florida this season.  Less than 24-hours before, Kemp won the 3200 meters at the Friday Knight Invitational with a Florida #5 9:29.83 in the 3200.
  • Gainesville High had a quick 4x100 with a 41.49 that is Florida #4.
  • Frederick Jones of Miami Pace swept both boys throw events. His 164-3 discus is now #7 in the state; the mightly 58-11.75 shot put ranks him third in the state and US #5 in that event. It's looking like it's going to be a pretty big year for Florida throwers. That near 59-footer by Jones would have lead the state by almost two feet and the END of last outdoor season.

National Elite Performances

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