Miami Southridge was simply stunning in this one. Ebony Eutsey just made herself look like she will be the top female sprinter in the state this year with 24.27 200m and 54.09 400m to come out of the gate far ahead of anyone else--and those times were after running preliminary rounds in each! Brittney Sinclair went 45.56 to become the new leader at 300H. Jasmond Stringer won both throwing events and is the new state leader in each: 129-11 and 46-8.5! Zakeya Stinson also threw the shot 44-6. Southridge girls also placed their name in the #1 position in the 4x400 (3:51.92) and 4x800 (9:28.11).
The boys couldn't let the girls have all the fun though. Brandon O'Connor of Southridge ran a wicked fast 20.93 in the 200m, coming after a 21.04 in the prelims. We'll call it the fastest in the country, but without a wind gauge Track & Field News might not. Any info on if it was gusty? It's worth asking because that time would have put him in the top 10 nationally at the end of last season. O'Connor also ran well in the 400 with 49.x and won the triple jump in 45-1. Quite a meet! Olarenwaju Adeyemi now holds the top spot in both hurdle events with times of 37.34 and 14.32.
While Southridge looked amazing, but wasn't the only top performers at the meet. The meet overall was the best meet so far of the year as far as the calibur of performances. Frankie Hammond of Hallandale beat out Brian Knight of Southridge in the high jump, both clearing 6-10. Tony Davis of Hallandale also had good 110/300 Hurdle performances, though beat by Adeyemi in both. Hallandale also busted out with a 41.85 4x100, which leads the state (US #3).
Across town from Sam Burley, Miami Southridge's arch rival Miami Northwestern hosted their own meet. These two teams often battle for the title of the state's best track team. At this point at least it looks like the title is squarely in the hands of Southridge. The Northwestern girls did come away with a dominant looking victory, and as mentioned yesterday the two Briannas of Northwestern (Streeter and Rollins) had nice opening performances in multiple events, including hurdles today.
But the most impressive individual times of the day were that of two athletes from Miami Washington. Lanie Whittaker posted the #2 gilrs 400m time in the prelims with a 55.34, which she followed by a 55.42 win in the finals. Washington's Dedric Dukes opened his 2008 and his high school career with times of 48.28 and 21.53. He threw in a 21-10.75 long jump for good measure. That's right he's a FRESHMAN! These are his first performances ever recorded on flrunners and he debuts at #1 in that boys 400 list!
There's honestly not a whole lot to say about this meet from a Florida perspective. It was a relatively low key and small meet, with most of the especially noteworthy performances coming from Georgia competitors. Dorian Corbett (Florida High) high jumped 5-2. Two boys pole vaulters cleared 13 feet, Parker Harris (Pt. St. Joe) and Brandon Bassett (Chiles)--second and third to a 15 foot effort by Georgian John Smith. Chiles looked pretty darn good depth wise in the distance events for both boys and girls.
In the other Tallahassee meet. Joseph Franklin opened his outdoor season with wins in the 1600 and 800--4:32.67 and 1:53.98. The 800 time is of course more impressive than the 1600 one and it sits more than six seconds faster than anyone else in Florida so far. It doesn't say for sure in the results, but Joe may also have contributed to that 3:21.16 4x400 (FL #1) over defending state champs Bay High. Bay's Jordon Byas ran a 48.38 in the open 400, second in the state.
On the girls side the top performers were Anna Carr of Niceville with a 12.12 and 24.90 double. Adrianna Hill of Rutherford was riding her footsteps for both of those. Katie Hered of Episcopal went 10-6 in the pole vault.
Anjoure Teele of Oak Ridge ran a nice double with a state leading 14.42 at 100H and a 57.88 400 meter dash. Amani Bryant of Wharton long jumped her way to #1 in the rankings with an 18-3 performance, along with a 12.30 100m and 46.96 300H. Denae Fluellen of Oak Ridge was second in that long jump in 17-7. Katrina Skinner of Wharton ran a 2:16.18 in the 800 meters, which is also currently #1 in the state.
Small meet in Polk County... top performances were James Bull (Lake Gibson) 11.04 100m, Louisjuene (Hardee) 5-2.5 girls high jump.
More From Friday....
Check out the highlights article from yesterday also.