Track season is back, and Central Florida athletes are off to a hot start to what looks to be a promising season. Last weekend, we saw several state as well as nation leading times in meets across the area. Here's a recap of just a few athletes who turned heads last weekend.
The FSU commit put on a show last Saturday at the George Jenkins Invitational. He ran 13.69 in the 110 hurdles and 36.65 in the 300 hurdles, both state and nation-leading times as well as new personal bests. Williams will look to lower those times as the season progresses, but it's safe to say, Williams will be a force to be reckoned with not only in Class 4A, but on the national level as well this season.
The sophomore dominated the field at the Carl Friedland Memorial last Friday. She ran a new PR of 10:33 in the 3200m, which is also the fastest time in the nation. Did we mention that she's a sophomore? The best is yet to come for Wells, who's time is around 27 seconds faster than the second ranked runner in Class 3A.
Burton finished second to Hannah Douglas in the 200m at the George Jenkins Invitational last Saturday, but her time of 24.51 in the race is still quite impressive. She's coming off of an impressive indoor season, running a time of 56.32 in the 400m and now in her second outdoor 200m race, she's ranked No. 1 in Class 3A.
Smith, who is committed to the University of Georgia for football, won the 100m at the George Jenkins Invitational last Saturday with a time of 10.61. This gives him the second fastest time in the state and the third fastest time in the country. This is his fastest ever season-opening 100-meter dash and he is the No. 1 ranked athlete in the event in 4A. Keep an eye on him in the long jump as well this season.
Earlier on this year, Austin ran a 1:54.70 in the 800m at the Embry-Riddle Outdoor Challenge, which gave him the top time in the state and the third fastest time in the country. Austin delivered another great performance, but this time in the 400m. He ran a time of 48.66, which makes his the fastest 400m runner in 4A this season. This was his first outdoor 400m time this season, and he looks to be an early state contender for both the 800m and 400m in Class 4A.
Parker put on a show at the Mount Dora Invitational, running a time of 11:22.70 to win the 3200m. She now has the top time in 1A in the event and she is key member of the small-school powerhouse that is the Circle Christian distance team. Parker's time is the 8th fastest in the state and No. 19 in the country.
West Orange's 4x100 team
David Jones, Alec Duhaney, Jaylon Carlies and Matthew McDoom were members of the 4x100 team that ran a time of 41.52 last Saturday at the Sanford-Seminole Open at the NTC. This is the fastest time in the state of Florida and the third fastest time in the country. Look for this group to continue to improve upon this time as the season progresses and contend for a state title.
Smith ran a cracking 200m at the Carl Friedland Memorial last Friday night. His time of 21.70 in the 200m gives him the top time in Class 2A and the 4th fastest in the state of Florida. Be sure to watch out for the Bishop Moore sophomore not only in the 200m, but the 100m as well, as his 11.02 100m time is tied for the 5th fastest in 2A.