East Coast Classic: New Track, Athletes Hold Up Against Mother Nature

Feb 23, 2014

Despite a massive thunderstorm and two tornado warnings the East Coast Classic at FPC somehow found a way to get underway. Jeff Spence and Sean O'Linn were on-site with photos, videos, results and a complete recap of all the action!

On-Site Coverage

Before the meet had really begun, Buchholz junior Britta Buchannan had already won the 100 meter hurdles, and place second in the long jump. Atlantic Coast junior Chelsea Francis came in as one of the top sprinters in the state. Her time of 12.51 wasn't blazing, but the season is early, and she still managed to get the win. Francis finished third in the 200 behind a pair of Grenadiers; Colonial seniors Kristina Knott and Keturah Smith. Both dipped under 25 seconds with times of 24.72 and 24.86 respectively. Smith placed second in the 300m hurdles running stride for stride with teammate Lyric Schmulz who beat her by one tenth of a second in 46.63.

Oak Hall showed why they are a cross country power by making an easy night of the distance events. Grace Blair (1st), Nadiria Evans, (2nd), and Lindsay Rosenberg (5th) all clocked times under 2:30 for the 800. Fresh off a trip to Oxford in England, Brittney Olinger picked up a win in the 1600 with a time of 5:21.57, beating out Morgan Lucey of Episcopal. Lily Arnold of Bolles and Michelle Wolff of Deland went wire to wire crossing the line at an identical time of 5:33.15.

In the field, it was Atlantic Coast's Brittany Bowald sweeping both the long and triple jump. Pole vaulter Nikki Vandervelde of Episcopal set a new meet record in the pole vault with a mark of 11'9". Multiple high jump state champion Nicole Green cleared 5'6" to win that event.

On the boy's side, many spectators were looking to see the debut of Spruce Creek star Xavier Atkins. The junior did not compete in either the 100 or 200 meter dash, opening up the door for others to make their mark. In the fastest race of the evening, FPC's Jimmie Robinson took the win with an 11.14, after finishing third on Monday at the Wildcat Open. In the 200, Gainesville showed their depth with a 1-2 punch of Kenric Young and Dontarian Evans (Nadiria's brother).

In the distance events, Pd McCawley took the 800 with a time of 2:00.27. Videographer Sean O'Linn took a break from capturing the action and jumped in the race. O'Linn was hoping to hit 1:56 to qualify for nationals, but just missed that mark running a 2:01.56. Deland senior Ken Pineiro dominated the 1600m field winning by 13 seconds in a very impressive time of 4:24.08 and then came back for the 3200 clocking a 9:34 for the double. Naquan Howard of Buchholz was the only other double winner; finishing 1st in the 110m hurdles, 1st in the triple jump, and third in the long jump.

In the field events, two of the state's best discus throwers went head to head. University of Florida signee Alan McFarland and Bolle's Jeremiah Theus battled it out with McFarland getting the upperhand with a throw of 165-3, the sixth best int he state. In the shot put, David May just fell short of a new personal best with a toss of 52-8.5. State leading pole vaulter Harry Glasser of Bolles continued his successful season. The inclement weather didn't stop the University of Florida signee from clearing a meet record 15'6" and picking up yet another win on the year.

The crowd was greeted with great performances and a special surprise, hometown hero, Curtis Mitchell. Mitchell who attended Atlantic High School was on hand to watch the meet and sign autographs for fans and runners as well. Sean O'Linn had the chance to catch up with one of the fastests sprinters in the world during the event and talk about his homecoming and what the future holds.