Athletes and teams from around the state headed north to North Carolina for the Eastern High School Challenge on the campus of UNC in Chapel Hill. Sunshine State athletes came away with hardware, new personal bests, some of the best marks in Florida history, and nationally ranked performances.
Leading the way was Ponte Vedra senior and future Tarheel Nicole Greene. Greene jumped a US#1 5'10" a little over a month ago at the NCRunners Holiday Invitational and followed that up with a new personal best and US#1 clearance of 6'0". Her mark ties for the third best ever all-time in Florida behind Victoria Andanova (6'1.5") Holly Kelly (6'1.25"), and Stacey Destin (6'0") who cleared those marks during the outdoor season. Coach Eli Sunquist of Jacksonville Athletic Club said afterwards that Greene had several great attempts at the state record, but today wasn't her today. The mark qualified her for USATF Indoors so they may continue the indoor season even further.
Watch: Girls High Jump
Interview: Nicole Greene
Fellow JAC athlete David Bell made an easy day of the pole vault. The Bishop Kenny senior cleared a personal best 15'8" and then nailed a US#11 (tie) 16'2" breaking his old best by 8 inches! The mark is 5th all-time in the state of Florida. Mike Vani who cleared 16'8" in his high school career said afterwards, "he may break the Florida state record. The kid is good. I knew he'd jump high."
Interview: David Bell - Post Vault Reaction
Another athlete who hauled in the medals was the topic of our Friday Focus, Michelle Atherley. Atherley, competing with the Fast Lane Track Club won the 55m hurdles in a US#8 mark of 8.04. In the field she leaped a US#12 18'11.5" to win the triple jump and placed third in the long jump with a mark of 37'10".
Watch: Girls 55mH
Watch: Girls Long Jump
Sophomore Karimah Davis was second in the 55m dash and on the winning 4x200m relay which also consisted of Atherley, Denise Spann, and Khaya Pannell that posted a time of 1:44.28. Davis concluded her night with a new meet record time of 39.44 to win the 300m.
Watch: Girls 55m Dash
Congratulations to all our Florida athletes who competed this weekend in North Carolina. We will have an updated indoor leaderboard for Florida and links to the national leaderboard as well in the coming days!
More Coverage
- 2015 Eastern High School Challenge Meet Page (Results, Photos, Videos & More)