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Niceville was one of a handful of north Florida schools to make the trek to Mobile, Alabama for the Mobile Challenge of Champions at St. Paul's Episcopal High School. The Eagles showed the other state's in attendance how Florida does it. Coach Jamie LaFollette says they go to the meet each year for a number of reasons.
"First, it's a high quality, well run meet. Second, it's relatively close being less than a two hour drive. Third, it's an opportunity to run against some different competition."
Teams from all over came to compete and one of those was Ridgewood High School out of New Jersey who post a time of 7:44 and change at New Balance Nationals in the 4x8. LaFollette explains the team was a little nervous facing a team that has posted such a fast time, but they were up for the challenge.
"Jack Massey ran the first leg. He went out with the pack and made a strong move at the end of his leg to position us in 2nd. Tripp Davis ran next and made a very strong move at 300m to get us in second and then took control at 500m and put a second or two on Ridgewood. Thomas Howell then held the lead through his leg and passed the baton on to Nick Morken who held the lead through first lap going through at 57. The Ridgewood runner made a move at 500, but Nick held him off and then put him away the last 100m.
Morken split 1:55 for his anchor leg with the rest of the guys hovering around two minutes. Their final time was 7:55.12, the fifth fastest in Florida and ninth fastest in the country for 2014. The dynamic duo of Morken and Howell, who terrorized opponents during the cross country season weren't done yet. Morken, a University of North Florida signee and the reigning 1600m state champion came back an hour later to run the one mile. LaFollette says the race was a tactical one.
"No one wanted to lead, including Nick, but Nick did lead going through the first lap in 68 seconds. The pace stayed relatively slow through the second and third laps with Nick falling in behind the leaders. As he has done all season, Nick went with 350 to go and caught everyone except the 1st guy, who he then outkicked the last 50 meters."
The senior crossed the line in 4:20.53 beating out William Molloy of St. Xavier who was second in 4:21.21. For his two wins, Morken was named the meet's outstanding male performer. He says to bring home that award was an honor.
"It felt special because a lot of great athletes have won it in the past."
Teammate Thomas Howell also picked up an individual win. Howell won the two mile run in a race that came down to a wire to wire finish. Pensacola Booker T. Washington's Mark Robertson was fourth in a new personal best of 9:24.07. Coach LaFollette says the race went out a decent pace.
"They went out in 69 seconds for the first lap with Thomas near the front. After the second lap, Thomas surged for a lap and stretched out the field into a lead pack of 5-6 and then everyone else.He then drifted back into the pack until the last lap where he ripped off a 61 to win in 9:20.36. Overall, I was very proud of how our athletes ran. Thomas and Nick both got 2nd last year and the boys 4x8 got 3rd, so coming out with wins is a nice confidence boost as the resumes of the other competitors in the races were strong. I thought all of our athletes responded well to the challenge."
While the Eagles were soaring to victories, Florida throwers were picking up titles. State discus leader Jobi Finau hurled the implement 179-10.50, well shy of his personal best of 189-6, but still a very impressive throw, beating the competition by nearly 14 feet. Finau, a South Alabama signee, is undefeated in the discus in all eight meets he has competed in this season. West Florida Tech junior Dane Stolsig was a triple threat in Mobile. Stolsig clinched the win in the shot put when he threw it 54-01 on his final throw. He also placed third in the discus with a personal best of 161-3.5, and finished seventh in an uncommon event for Florida athletes the javelin. His mark of 159-03 was good enough for a new season best and a seventh place finish.
The senior crossed the line in 4:20.53 beating out William Molloy of St. Xavier who was second in 4:21.21. For his two wins, Morken was named the meet's outstanding male performer. He says to bring home that award was an honor.
"It felt special because a lot of great athletes have won it in the past."
Teammate Thomas Howell also picked up an individual win. Howell won the two mile run in a race that came down to a wire to wire finish. Pensacola Booker T. Washington's Mark Robertson was fourth in a new personal best of 9:24.07. Coach LaFollette says the race went out a decent pace.
"They went out in 69 seconds for the first lap with Thomas near the front. After the second lap, Thomas surged for a lap and stretched out the field into a lead pack of 5-6 and then everyone else.He then drifted back into the pack until the last lap where he ripped off a 61 to win in 9:20.36. Overall, I was very proud of how our athletes ran. Thomas and Nick both got 2nd last year and the boys 4x8 got 3rd, so coming out with wins is a nice confidence boost as the resumes of the other competitors in the races were strong. I thought all of our athletes responded well to the challenge."
While the Eagles were soaring to victories, Florida throwers were picking up titles. State discus leader Jobi Finau hurled the implement 179-10.50, well shy of his personal best of 189-6, but still a very impressive throw, beating the competition by nearly 14 feet. Finau, a South Alabama signee, is undefeated in the discus in all eight meets he has competed in this season. West Florida Tech junior Dane Stolsig was a triple threat in Mobile. Stolsig clinched the win in the shot put when he threw it 54-01 on his final throw. He also placed third in the discus with a personal best of 161-3.5, and finished seventh in an uncommon event for Florida athletes the javelin. His mark of 159-03 was good enough for a new season best and a seventh place finish.
Other notable performances:
- Girls 4x800m Relay - Pine Forest (5th - 10:02.81)
- Girls 400m - Loren Moorer Pensacola High School (5th - 59.29)
- Girls 200m - Diamond Washington - West Florida Tech - (8th - 24.90)
- Girls 2 Mile - Claire Crist - Niceville - 11:49.12
- Girls 4x400m Relay - Pensacola (3rd - 4:00.46) Pine Forest (4th - 4:01.95)
- Girls Discus - Jessie Droogsma - (3rd 114-06)
- Girls Long Jump - Aubrey West - Niceville (5th - 16-11)
- Boys High Jump - Chris Rogers - Pine Forest (tied for 5th - 6-2), Daveyon Finkley - Pine Forest (10th - 6-0)
- Boys Long Jump - Daveyon Finkley - Pine Forest (8th - 20-11) Brandon Bell - Pensacola - (10th - 20-06)
- Boys Triple Jump - Brandon Bell - Pensacola (tied for 8th - 43-01)
- Boys Open 800 - Cade Ewing - Niceville - (1st - 1:59.57