South Florida Trio Take In International Experience At CSI Invitational In Cuba

Caribbean Scholastic Invitational
Todd Grasley


(Photos & Videos By Steve Underwood/NSAF)

Three of South Florida's fastest athletes headed South this past weekend to Havana, Cuba. Miami Northwestern senior and University of Florida signee Timetria Mitchell and the Southridge duo of juniors Symone Mason and Kayla Johnson competed in the NSAF Caribbean Scholastic Invitational which ran in conjunction with the Barrientos Memorial meet. 

Mitchell, who won three consecutive 3A state championships in the 100m hurdles for the Lady Bulls, and owns the 12th fastest time in the nation of 13.61, finished fourth in 13.87 behind three Cuban athletes including champion Belkis Milanes who ran a blistering 13.32.


Junior Kayla Johnson of Southridge made her international debut. Johnson was third at the 4A state meet and ran 2:09.60 at the Louie Bing Classic in the early outdoor season. She posted an impressive 2:10.04 in the semifinals to finish fourth.



Spartan teammate Symone Mason, was 8th at the IAAF World Youth Championships in the 400m dash, but focused solely on the 200m in Cuba. Mason finished fourth in the semifinals in a time of 24.01, nearly a second off of her personal best of 23.37.

One of the highlights of the meet came from the girls 4x400m relay which was one of nine winning events for the NSAF athletes representing the U.S. Mason, Joy Ripslinger (Iowa), Mitchell, and Kayla Johnson teamed up to clock a first place time of 3:44.62.


Steve Underwood of the NSAF caught up with Mason & Johnson to talk about their experience in Cuba. The Southridge duo along with Mitchell will all compete at New Balance Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina June 16-18th.