The Florida indoor season is underway with some spectacular early-season indoor performances at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational. Vanessa Waite, running for Power House Athletics, returned to competition after missing last season with an injury. Waite wasted no time reestablishing herself among the state's elite. Waite and Adyn Kinard of the Sapphire-Ruff Riders Track (GA) battled in the 60m finals on Saturday evening, with Kinard taking the win in 7.46, and Waite in second with a 7.58. On Sunday evening, Waite flipped the script, taking the 200m with a FL No. 1 23.97, with Kinard second in 24.04.
Photo Credit: Dave Tibbetts
The Florida indoor season officially kicked off in emphatic fashion at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational, delivering two days of standout performances and early indicators that the 2026 campaign could be one to remember. The meet lived up to its reputation as a marathon meet, but the depth of quality performances across the two days was undeniable. In total, the meet produced four Florida boys' No. 1 marks and eight Florida girls' No. 1 marks, setting the tone for the rest of the indoor season.
Photo Credit Dave Tibbetts
On the boys' side, Brady Pineo, running for the VAST Track Club (Wesley Chapel HS) delivered one of the most impressive doubles of the weekend. The senior swept the 60m and 200m, running 6.83 in the 60m and 20.96 in the 200m. Pineo's 200m effort was the only sub-21 performance by a high school boy over the weekend, and it backs up his nation's No. 2 mark of 20.92, set earlier this winter at the Galleria Games. He now trails only Texas standout Tate Taylor (20.85) on the national list.
Interview with Michael Riera-Gomez
Another eye-catching moment came on Friday in the field events, where 7th grader Michael Riera-Gomez of Coral Gables HS soared to a 12-11.5 (3.95m) clearance in the pole vault. The mark ranks as Florida Middle School No. 2 all-time, narrowly missing the state MS record of 3.96 set in 2023 by Ezra Huber of Bartram Trail.
Additional national-level performances included Nia Armstrong of VAST Track Club, who ran 8.40 in the 60m hurdles - good for US No. 6 - further emphasizing the meet's high-caliber competition.
Florida Boys No. 1's at Jimmy Carnes
Florida Girls No. 1's at Jimmy Carnes
With elite talent already producing state and national marks in mid-January, the Jimmy Carnes Invitational served as an emphatic opener. If these early performances are any indication, the Florida indoor season is poised to deliver fireworks from start to finish and will be one to be remembered.
