Boys State Champion Returners - How they have Started 2026

2025 1A Boys Returning State Champions: Who's Back & How They've Started 2026

As the 2026 outdoor track & field season enters week four, several 2025 1A state champions return with big expectations. Here's a breakdown of each defending champion and how they've opened (or not yet opened) their 2026 campaigns.

Charles Loftin (Providence School)

Event: 1600m 2025 State Title Performance: 4:20.15

Loftin returns as the defending 1A 1600m state champion after capturing the title in 4:20.15 last spring. Now a senior, he's already showing significant progression in 2026.

• 2026 Florida All-Divisions 1600m Ranking: #3

• Season Best: 4:13.19

• Meet: 22nd Annual East Coast Classic (1st Place)

• Date: February 20, 2026

Dropping over seven seconds from his state-winning time, Loftin looks sharper and faster early in the season. He is in a good position to defend his 1A title.

Evan Spreitzer (Holy Trinity Academy)

Event: 3200m 2025 State Title Performance: 9:09.49

2026 Florida All-Divisions Ranking: #4 He currently sits ranked #4 in Florida across all divisions in the 3200m - firmly in the mix among the state's elite.

• Season Best: 9:15.33

• Meet: Satellite High Reggie Johnson Invite

• Date: February 27, 2026

• Finish: 1st Place

Spreitzer also took the 1600m at the Reggie Johnson Invite with a 4:23.64 , and coming off a 4"15.25 indoor championship in the One Mile at the Florida High School Indoor Championships and an outstanding XC season that included a 1A State championship and a 14:52.13 Brooks XC Schamionships South win, Spreitzer is the clear favorite to repeat in 1A this spring.

Jaeden McMillan (Holy Trinity Academy)

Event: 110m Hurdles 2025 State Title Performance: 14.3

McMillan claimed the 1A hurdles crown in 14.3 last season as a junior.

• 2026 Outdoor Season Status: Has not yet competed

Like his teammate Spreitzer, McMillan has yet to debut this outdoor season. When he does, he should immediately re-enter the conversation as the defending champion.

Anthony Cavallaro (Indian Rocks Christian)

Event: Discus 2025 State Title Performance: 54.2m

Cavallaro returns after launching a 54.2m throw to win the 1A discus title as just a sophomore - and he's already back near the top of the leaderboard.

• 2026 Florida All-Divisions Discus Ranking: #3

• Season Best: 53.28m

• Meet: Calvary Christian Warrior Invitational (1st Place)

• Date: February 27, 2026

He's opened 2026 just under his state-winning mark but already sits third across all Florida divisions. He's got room to build as the season progresses, and looks primed for another major postseason push.

2025 2A Boys Returning State Champions: Speed, Strength & Statement Openers in 2026

The 2A classification returns some serious speed in 2026, highlighted by elite sprint performances and multi-event versatility. Here's a look at the defending 2025 2A boys state champions and how they've started the new 2026 outdoor campaign.

Zamarii Sanders (Cardinal Newman HS)

Events: 100m & 200m 2025 State Titles:

• 100m - 10.40

• 200m - 20.97

Few athletes made a bigger impact in 2A last year than Sanders, who swept the short sprints, including the double win at the NBNO. Now a senior, he's already proven he's not slowing down.

200m - Already Raising the Bar

• 2026 Season Best: 20.83 (+1.9)

• Florida Ranking: #2 All-Divisions

• Meet: Louie Bing Invitational

• Finish: 1st

• Date: Feb 13-14, 2026

Sanders has already run faster than his state-winning time from 2025, dropping a 20.83 that ranks second in Florida across all classifications. That's a clear early-season statement.

100m - Windy Opener

• 2026 Season Best: 10.60 (-2.6)

• Florida Ranking: #10

• Meet: Harry Howell Invitational

• Finish: 1st

• Date: Feb 19, 2026

The 10.60 came into a stiff -2.6 headwind, making it stronger than it appears on paper. With neutral conditions, expect a time much closer to (or under) last year's 10.40.

Outlook: Sanders looks primed not just to defend his 2A titles, but continues to make a statement as one of the best, if not the best sprinter in Florida.

Joe Licata (Cardinal Newman HS)

Event: 800m 2025 State Title Performance: 1:52.54

Licata returns as the defending 2A 800m champion after running 1:52.54 last spring. He's known for his strength and closing speed; he's already showing range early in 2026.

Early 2026 Performance

• 400m: 47.98 (2nd Place)

• Meet: Harry Howell Invitational

• Date: Feb 19, 2026

Opening with three sub-49 quarter-miles is a strong indicator of sharp early-season speed. His 47.98 suggests that he may be gearing up for a sub-1:52 run - and possibly faster.

Outlook: With proven championship experience and improved sprint speed, Licata remains the clear favorite in 2A and a factor statewide.

Jeremiah Lysius (Somerset Academy Canyons)

Event: High Jump 2025 State Title Performance: 2.02m

Lysius captured the 2A high jump title as a sophomore at 2.02m last season and has already matched that mark in 2026.

 2026 Season Best

• Height: 2.02m

• Florida Ranking: #2

• Meet: Harry Howell Invitational

• Finish: 1st

• Date: Feb 19, 2026

• Current School Listing:  (Somerset Academy Canyons (Class of 2027)

Matching his state-winning height in February is a major sign of consistency and growth. With the season still young, there's strong potential for new PR territory.

Outlook: If Lysius builds upward from 2.02m, he could challenge for one of the top jumps in the state this spring.

2025 3A Boys Returning State Champions: Power, Speed & Early Statements in 2026

Class 3A returns one of the deepest groups of defending champions in Florida. From elite sprinting to distance dominance and big-time field event marks, here's how the 2025 state title winners are progressing early in the 2026 outdoor season.

Braylen Bennett (American Heritage - Plantation)

Events: 100m & 200m 2025 State Titles:

• 100m - 10.59

• 200m - 20.66

Bennett swept the 3A short sprints last spring and is already showing explosive form in 2026.

100m Update

• 2026 Season Best: 10.43 (+2.8 wind)

• Meet: Louie Bing Invitational

• Finish: 2nd (Prelims)

• Date: Feb 13-14, 2026

While the +2.8 wind reading makes the mark wind-aided, 10.43 is a clear sign Bennett is in top-end form early. Even adjusting for wind, he looks primed for another run at the 3A  - and possibly faster than 2025.

 200m Update

• 2026 Status: Has not competed in the 200m this outdoor season

Once Bennett opens up in the 200m, expect major changes for the 3A leaderboard.

Outlook: A healthy Bennett remains one of the most telented sprinters in Florida.

Marcelo Mantecon (Belen Jesuit)

Event: 3200m 2025 State Title Performance: 8:56.89

Mantecon is consistently sub-9:00. Now a junior, he's already back on the track - and ahead of where hewas last spring.

2026 Season Opener (Feb 24 - Belen Home Meet #1)

• 3200m: 9:06.51 (1st)

• 1600m: 4:06.86 (1st)

While 9:06.51 is off last year's state-winning time, it's early - and his 4:06 suggests his aerobic base is right where it needs to be, and the speed will come.  

Outlook: Mantecon remains the clear 3A distance standard and could threaten sub-8:30 by the postseason championships. He has already demonstrated that he is the best Florida distance runner of all time.

Candler Johnson (Manatee HS)

Event: Long Jump 2025 State Title Performance: 7.42m

Johnson soared to 7.42m to claim the 3A crown as a sophomore and has already opened strong in 2026.

 2026 Season Best

• 7.33m (1st Place)

• Meet: Bob English Invitational

• Date: Feb 14, 2026

He's just nine centimeters shy of his state-winning mark, and we are just moving into March. That's a powerful early-season indicator.

Outlook: If Johnson continues to build toward peak form, 7.50m could be within reach this spring.

Jacob Kincaid (Niceville HS)

Event: Pole Vault 2025 State Title Performance: 4.50m

Kincaid cleared 4.50m to win the 3A title last year and has opened his junior season with solid vaults. 

2026 Season Best

• 4.35m (2nd Place)

• Florida Ranking: #7

• Meet: 22nd Annual East Coast Classic

• Date: Feb 20, 2026

He's building toward last year's championship height, and historically, vaulters often peak later in the season.

Notable Context: The current Florida state leader, Jaxon Jerabek (IMG Academy), has cleared 5.20m this season. However, Jerabek does not compete in the FHSAA series, meaning he is not a factor in the 3A state championship picture.

Outlook: Kincaid remains firmly in control of his own destiny in 3A.

Nathaniel Krider (Niceville HS)

Event: Shot Put 2025 State Title Performance: 18.03m

Krider delivered a massive 18.03m throw to win 3A gold last spring and has already returned near that form.

2026 Season Best

• 17.43m (1st Place)

• Florida Ranking: #2

• Meet: Cupid Relays (Hosted by Pine Forest)

• Date: Feb 14, 2026

Opening just 60 centimeters off his state-winning mark is a major early-season statement.

Outlook: Krider looks poised for another dominant postseason run - and more 18m + throws.

2025 4A Boys Returning State Champion

Christopher Bronaugh of Windermere High School is the sole returner in the boys 4A division in the 100m. He is not is not expected to return in 2026.