Godby High School (Tallahassee, FL) senior and University of Tennessee signee Joseph Franklin really delivered tonight! An excellent field was assembled at the Running Zone All-Class Showdown in Melbourne, Florida. The 800 field included a plurality of the state champions in Florida. Former NCAA champ Jonathan Johnson served as the rabbit for the field, leading Joe and company through the first lap in 55 seconds. The goal was 1:50. With 40 meters to go before Johnson stepped off the track at the 600m mark, Joe reportedly took off and blew by Johnson. He took it home and kicked in the two lapper in a national leading 1:48.87. The time also places Joe #2 on the all-time 800 meter list in Florida.
Meanwhile, Ashley Brasovan not surprisingly took home the title in the flrunners.com Girls Seeded 3200 meters. While many were hoping to see the record book rewritten in this event (Ashley set the state record of 10:13 last year at the state meet, and last weekend ran a 10:15 at the state meet), Brasovan put up a very solid time of 10:21.12 under steamy and humid Florida nightime conditions. She beat out the rest of the all-star field that included three other Foot Locker finalists from Florida and all of the 3200m state champions from Florida's four classifications. Emlie Amaro finished in second place with a time of 10:28.58 (a new personal best). Brittany Koziara and Kayla Hale rounded out the top four, running 10:36 and 10:37, respectively.
Brian Atkinson won the Boys Seeded 3200 in 9:29 over Michael Wallace, Kyle Cooke and others.
On-Site Coverage: Complete Results | Race videos and interviews (more coming all weekend) | Florida Today Article
