(Photo by Donald Lamb)
St. Thomas Aquinas junior Krystal Sparling and Celebration senior Jhonny Victor are this week's Athletes of the Week. Sparling was a part of three US#1 performances at the Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitational. She started off the day with an 11.66 clocking in the 100 meters (tied US#1), then was a member of the nation leading 4x200 meter team which is nearly two seconds faster than anyone else. Sparling capped off her night with a new personal best and US#1 time of 23.73 in the 200 meters. Fresh off basketball season, Victor leaped a personal best 6'10" at the St. Cloud Invitational. His mark is currently tops in Florida and in a four way tie for third in the country!
GIRLS WINNER: Krystal Sparling - Junior @ St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Two silvers and relay gold. That is how St. Thomas Aquinas star Krystal Sparling's sophomore season culminated. Sparling finished runner up in the 100 and 200 and was an integral part of the Lady Raider's winning 4x400 meter relay squad. At the Golden South Classic, she strained her quad muscle. Coach Alex Armenteros says that was when he decided to shut her down until the start of the outdoor season.
"I wanted the leg to heal. This off-season she worked hard on building a 400 meter base."
Sparling kicked off the outdoor campaign at the Louie Bing Classic where she competed in both the 200 and 400. The decision to not run the 100 was to see where her conditioning was at. Well, if her performances were any indication, the answer is pristine condition. She clocked a time of 11.88 and 56.34 in the quarter mile which is the sixth best in the state and ninth best in the country for 2014. Armenteros was pleased but wasn't surprised. As a freshman she ran a 55.7 split on the team's 4x400 meter relay.
"I'm not surprised how well Krystal is running. We simulate our races in practice, she's hitting great times and recovering well. I think her teammates play a role in her success. Running against Khalifa St.Fort, Diamond Spaulding, Krysten Golden, and Kendall Ellis every day in practice, you have to bring you’re A game. She works out with four of the top girls in the country."
At the Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitational, speed was definitely on display. Sparling cruised through the finals and showcased her talent in the finals running a US#1 (tie) 100 meter time of 11.66 and following that up with another US#1 mark in the 4x200m relay and 200 meter dash (23.73). Armenteros says Krystal is stronger mentally and physically this year and believes she can compete with anybody at the state and national level.
"Coming up we have Bob Hayes, Texas Relays, and the state meet. My number one goal for Krystal is to stay healthy. Number two, continue to grow every day as a track athlete. I think her future is very bright. She’s intelligent, works hard, and fearless with a warrior’s mentality."
Krystal's Athlete Profile
Krystal's Athlete Profile
BOYS WINNER: Jhonny Victor - Senior @ Celebration High School
Jhonny Victor's first love wasn't track and field it was basketball. The high flyer from Celebration High School excels on the hardwood as well. His explosiveness in basketball and short bursts of energy are the perfect combination for getting him ready on the track. After a disappointing performance at the state meet last year, Victor was focused on 2014.
After a week off from basketball, the two-sport star traded his high tops for track spikes. His first jumps of the year happened at the Gateway Classic. Since the school had borrowed pits from Celebration, Victor hadn't taken any attempts before that day. He leaped 6-6 in rainy conditions and barely missed 6'10. Coach Joel Fox says that clearing that mark with no practice was a good sign of what was yet to come this season.
He was right. This past weekend at the St. Cloud Invitational Victor soared to knew heights clearing 6-10 and barely missing out on the elusive seven foot barrier. Fox explains the sequence of events leading up to the state's top mark and third best in the country.
"He always tries to come in somewhere that is comfortable for him to check his approach, the conditions, etc. He 5-stepped 6-8 most of the week and wanted get a new PR. We made big jumps last year quite a bit just to try and keep his number of attempts down so he's fresh. In hindsight he wished his 6-10 attempt was at 7-0 because he had quite a bit of room. We trust Jhonny and rely on him to let us know how he's feeling and where he wants to go if he's the last jumper. "
That intuition isn't stopping Victor for aiming high. He told our Donald Lamb in his post meet interview that the goal was 7-4 which according to our database would be an all-time best in the state of Florida. It's a lofty goal and one of many the senior has, but Fox think he is surely capable of achieving that feat.
"Without a doubt he's capable. If you look at some of the video or photos of his attempts you'll see there quite a bit of room between him and the bar. . I think winning a state championship is an obvious goal, but really we just want him to have an opportunity to go to college. As long as he's having fun and happy with what he's doing then we are happy."
Victor has yet to committ to a college. Fox believes it is because of a lack of off-season meets. The senior goes from track to club basketball and might not compete as much as other athletes. However, after going 6-10 coaches have begun to take notice. Not only would they be getting a stellar athlete, but a model student as well. Victor is in the top 25 students in his class of around 450 athletes. Fox says prospective schools will be getting a bright young man with extraordinary leaping ability who is just stratching the surface of what he's capable of.
"There's no way to predict what will happen, but Jhonny is has to much talent to not be successful. Like most kids, Jhonny is just looking to enjoy his senior year and hopes to go to a good college. Again, we track and field is a great sport and if we can use that to help Jhonny mature and be successful in life, then it's even better!"