It may be Spring Break for some in Florida, but that didn't mean Bob Hayes, IMG Academy Invitational, and other quality meets provided some exceptional marks and fast times. The excitement and hype surrounding the Bob Hayes Invitational was enough to remind the track and field community of Florida that this sport is continuing to gain traction. Make sure to vote Boy's Athlete of the Week and then check back later in the week to see who won. Voting closes Monday, March 25th, at 11:59 p.m.
Stone Baker- the senior from River Ridge HS doesn't need any competition to push him to get better, as Baker won the Pole Vault at the Fivay Quad meet as the only competitor. By taking the win he moved up the national leaderboard into 4th with an outstanding vault of 16-4.75. Look for Baker to show up for the FSU Relays and put on a show in Tallahassee.
Melvin Briley- The University of South Florida signee and Oak Leaf HS senior flew to a 48 foot jump in the triple jump at the Bob Hayes Invitational on his way to picking up the win. The 2017 4A FHSAA State Champion and AAU National Club Champion in the triple jump set the FL #1 and US #13 best mark in the triple jump, as he prepares to make a back to back performance at State.
Hugh Brittenham- The junior from Estero HS must have enjoyed his appearance in last week's poll as he exploded for a huge day at the IMG Academy Invitational, where he set two new PB's. Brittenham set the US #1 time in the 800 as he won with a time of 1:52.72 and then ran a US #11/ FL #4 time of 4:16.83 to capture the 1600m win as well.
Thomas Burns-The University of Miami signee had a busy day at the Bob Hayes Invitational but it was his 300H time of 36.56 that claimed the US #1 time in the event. Not only did Burns set a US #1 mark, but he also was apart of the MNW Boys 4x800 that set a new Bob Hayes record. He also finished in 2nd in the 110H and was apart of the MNW Boys 4x400 team that finished respectfully in 4th.
Evan Fuller- the senior from Fleming Island HS led the charge for the top 3200 time of the weekend as he took the win at the Friday Knight Invite. Fuller, a qualifier for the 2017 4A 3200m State Championship, turned in a personal best as he raced to a 9:41.26.
Jekhary Long-the senior from Sandalwood HS had a large kick at the end of the 110 hurdles as he was able to notch the best 110 hurdles time of the weekend with a 14.09. Long was able to hold off his hurdling counterpart in Thomas Burns, on his way to picking up the win at the Bob Hayes Invitational.
Shaun Shivers-The Auburn signee from Chaminade-Madonna Prep School turned up the notch in the 100m. Shivers won the Miami Hurricane Invitational in a time of of 10.29. He also won the 200m with a mark of 21.07. No wind indicator was present at the meet, so we will see just how fast the senior can go in two weeks at the Florida Relays.
Jaasiel Torres- The University of North Florida signee got back to his winning ways as he took back his FL #1 spot with a jump of 6-10.75 feet at the IMG Academy Invitational. The senior from Sarasota HS is no stranger to being the top high jumper in the state, as he is the reigning 4A FHSAA State Champion in the high jump.
Jamal Walton-The senior from Miramar HS reminded the country that he is a pretty solid 400m runner as Walton ran a new US #1 time of 45.42 at the Miami Hurricane Invitational. The 2017 FHSAA 200 and 400 State Champ continues his tear as he will have to carry the slack in the 400m since Tyrese Cooper is now out indefinitely.
Elijah West-The senior from Niceville HS makes a return to this list as he put in an impressive shot put performance to give him the FL #2 mark which went 57-01 feet. But West wasn't done there as he went on to win the discus as well with a throw of 136-04.25. Look for West to be among the favorites in 3A in the shot put and discus.
Congrats To Last Week's Winner: Arian Smith Of Mulberry - 582 of 1,384 Votes (42.05%)
The sophomore 5-star running back who has offers from UF, FSU, UCF, and UNC is turning up on the track this season. Smith took the fastest 200 time of the week with a 21.78 in prelims at the Kowboy Invite, where he also won the long jump with a mark 23-10.5. Keep an eye out for the sophomore from Mulberry HS who won the 2A Long Jump in 2017.
About The Nominees:
It may be Spring Break for some in Florida, but that didn't mean Bob Hayes, IMG Academy Invitational, and other quality meets provided some exceptional marks and fast times. The excitement and hype surrounding the Bob Hayes Invitational was enough to remind the track and field community of Florida that this sport is continuing to gain traction. Make sure to vote Boy's Athlete of the Week and then check back later in the week to see who won. Voting closes Monday, March 25th, at 11:59 p.m.
