Girls 1600m Run
We got a handful of sub 5 milers and might even have a few more joining the party on Saturday at the FSU Relays in the girls 1600.
The Master's Academy junior Ava Wyant owns the fastest PR among the bunch from her sensational 4:53 performance at last May's state meet. Wyant was 4th in the 2022 FSU Relays with a time right at 5 minutes flat.
Meanwhile, Bolles senior Jillian Candelino broke 5 for the first time at the 2022 FSU Relays when she finished as the runner up in 4:57. The state leader and top seed in Friday night's 3200 at FSU, the University of Tennessee commit will be doubling back with her first 1600 race of the spring.
Palmer Walstad is one of the top runners out of Georgia having run under 5 in several races including a 4:55 state title winning performance at her state meet last spring.
Buchholz senior Kate Drummond is the only one of the 5 to go under 5 entered that has run under the time this 2023 season.
Boys 1600m Run
After the 800 and 3200 are done on Friday at the FSU Relays, it will be time to reload and get ready for an elite 1600 boys field setup for Saturday in Tally with many of top seeds doubling back.Top 10 seeds for the fast section 1600 have run 4:17 or faster led by state leader and Ransom Everglades junior David Serra with a 4:09 personal best.
Serra is looking for revenge after a defeat last week to Belen Jesuit super sophomore Tiago Socarras, who threw down the nation's top time by a tenth grader last week with his 4:12 victory.
Meanwhile, Alabama's best in Alex Leath who will be favored in the 800 on Friday will bring his 4:10 1600 wheels into town and attempt to beat Florida's fastest twice at the FSU Relays.
The wildcards to watch include Florida's fastest returning miler in Bolles senior Aidan Ryan (4:10 PR), who has yet to race this spring due to injury so fitness level unknown.
Then there is Patrick Koon, the state's most dominant runner and one of best ever at 3200 and 5k distances. He may be looking to FSU as the meet to really drop his 4:16 1600 PR before a trip to Arcadia in April to chase an even faster time than his 8:53 PR in the 3200.
Zack Poekert of Cypress Creek ran 4:15 for the full mile to win the Florida Indoor Champs title in February and his familiar Pasco County rival Alex Pena dropped an equivalent time of 4:14 for 1600 last spring.