RALEIGH, NC-- A group of Florida's finest track and fielded athletes headed to Raleigh, North Carolina this past weekend to compete in the Adidas Outdoor Championships to take on the rest of the nation's greatest.
Action began on Friday afternoon as Coral Springs senior Walter Dix cruised in the 100m prelims with a 10.50 and qualifying him for the finals on Saturday night. Unfortunately, Dix scratched his finals race for unknown reasons.
Rising senior from Epsicopal High School, Tim McLeod took on some of the countries top runners in the 2-mile. McLeod went out strong for the first two laps, but faded to a surprising 10:19.63.
"I went out to the front because the pace was pretty slow, but my legs weren't moving. It felt like I was sprinting, so I decided to take it easy." explained McLeod.
"In retrospect it was better that I was in the slower heat, but I think if I felt a little better I could have done well in the faster heat" said McLeod of being in the slower of two heats.
On Saturday Booker T. Washington senior, Tim Harris took the stage in the 800 to show his stuff once again. Harris went out quick, as expected and held off a star-studded field to win the national championship in 1:49.30.
"I was happy with the race, but I know there's work to be done. I have Junior Nationals next week", stated Harris.
"I'm not just going there [Junior Nationals] to qualify for the final—I'm going there to win!" Harris said excitingly.
Saturday's action didn't stop there as Gulliver's Bryan Sharkey hit track winning his race in a personal best—4:15.76.
"I was a little disappointed in my time, but there's nothing I can do about it. I got stuck in the slower heat and I think that caused my time to drop a second or two, but I'm still happy with the win" Sharkey said.
On the girls side was Pope John Paul's Jackie Areson and Oviedo's Jenny Barringer. The girl's mile field was the deepest field in history. After the hour rain delay, the race was on. Barringer took it out extremely quick leading through 400m, but faded to a 7th place finish in 4:49.82 and just missing All-American honors.
Areson took her race more conservatively hanging in the middle of the pack most of the way. Areson dropped back on the final 2 laps, but came back strong out kicking 2 runners for a 12th place finish in 4:56.86.
"This race is definitely something I'm not used to. The field was loaded with fast girls." Said Areson.
"This wasn't my best race of the year, so I'm kind of disappointed", stated Areson.
"After the rain delay, it was difficult to get focused and warm again" explained Areson.
Other Florida athlete's that competed were:
Boys: Paul Jorgensen (Episcopal High) 4:54.86 (Freshman Mile), Neskey Metelus (Fort Lauderdale) 21.31—3rd place (200m), Wes Stockbarger (Port Charlotte) 202'8"—2nd place (Discus), Scott Clayman (Nease) 169'4" (Discus) 142'1" (Hammer), Ben Dickens (Douglas) 14'5"—15th place (Pole Vault).
Girls: Shantia Moss (Pembrooke Pines) 13.67—1st place (100 Hurdles), Laura Bowerman (King) 11:12.45 (2 mile), Loreal Smith (Rickards) 1:01.34 (400 Hurdles), Deandra Doyley (Ft. Lauderdale) 1:01.94, Misty Barber (Carol City) 138'9"—6th place (Discus), Lori Bowen (Maclay) 11'11"—4th place (Pole Vault)