Guy Thomas Memorial Classic (Dunbar HS - Fort Myers, FL)
Southwest Florida takes center stage this weekend as some of the top talent from across the state heads to Dunbar High School for the Guy Thomas Memorial Classic. The meet is loaded with talent, some season debuts, and is shaping up to be one of the most competitive invitationals of the still-young 2026 outdoor season.
A lot of eyes will be on the girls' 3200m as senior Jazlyn Forbes (Oasis) is scheduled to make her 2026 outdoor debut. Forbes was the No. 2-ranked girl in the state in XC until she was sidelined with an illness toward the end of the season. She has run 10:30.36 in the 3200m. She will be challenged, however, by senior Sienna Audrey (Community School of Naples). Audrey was a runner-up in the 1A State Cross Country Championship and has won her first two 3200m this season.
The boys' 100m should be fast on the newly surfaced Dunbar track with FL No. 3 Braylen Bennett (American Heritage) - 10.33 and FL No. 6, Alec Cruz (Columbus), going at it.
The girls' 100m should be tight with Antanyiah Brown (North Miami, SR) - 11.74, Aaysia Williams (Fort Lauderdale, SR) - 11.98, and Kala Valarias (Gulf Coast, SR) - 12.00 going head-to-head. The three will go at it again in the 200m, with Brown (23.91) favored to win the double.
The boys' 100mH and 400mH feature, Kobe Johnson (Dunbar, SR). Johnson is the No. 2-ranked 110m hurdler in the state with a 14.01, and should not have any difficulty in winning the 110mH and the 400mH. He has run 56.63 this outdoor season and has a PR of 54.59
The 800m races may be more competitive than the Miles. On the girls' side, Atarah Robinson (Venice, SR) has run 2:12.65, making her 2026 outdoor debut. She has had a breakout senior season so far with the No. 1 4:50.23 1600m in the state. She is scheduled to run in the Mile, but don't expect her to hold back in the 800. Robinson, however, will be challenged by Miah Galban (Golden Gate, JR), who has run 2:16.49.
The boy's 800 will be fast with FL No. 3, Preston Sangely (Spanish River, SR) coming in with a 1:53.13. Sangely is one of the top middle-distance runners in Florida and is favored, but he is going to be challenged by Dunbar SR Chancey Alexander, who is FL No. 15 with a 1:55.61 and has a PR of 1:54.96 indoors. Chancey should lock on to Sangely and is also not afraid to lead. This one could go sub-1:53, especially on the home track for Alexander.
Senior Jadrien Carmo of Bishop Verot has run 47.72 in the 400m this year, is undefeated, and is ranked No. 4. The 400m should be fast with senior Alec Cruz of Columbus chasing Carmo. Cruz has run 48.74. The 400m is always a tough race, and this one should be no different, with the two battling down the stretch and hanging on the final 50m.
Relays to Watch
Dunbar Girls 4x100 - 47.69 (FL No. 13)
Fort Lauderdale Girls 4x100 - 47.80 (FL No. 15)
Columbus Boys 4x400 - 3:18.01 (FL No. 3)
The Boys and Girls Elite Miles are just before the 4X400m Relays. They are a must-watch, with both having very competitive fields. The boys' field features FL No. 2, Preston Sangely of Spanish River. Sangely has run 4:07.31 and is capable of going sub-4:05. It will be interesting to see how many others he pulls to PRs with 4:20 performances. The closest to watch will be Brody Waltz (Palm Harbor University HS, SR), who has gone 4:20.16 and is ranked FL No. 13. Two others to watch are Stefan Lungescu (American Heritage, SR) and Diego Eseverri (Columbus, SR).
The girls' Elite Mile on paper features Venice SR Atarah Robinson 4:50.23 (FL No. 1) with an almost 10-second advantage over Satellite SR Celina Coryell (5:00.16) and 15 second advantage over FR Annabella Tomasic of Bishop Moore (5:05.43). But, and it's a big BUT, watch out for Tomasic. She ran a 4:59.41 mile indoors this season. Her 5:05.43 was in February, and last week she ran a 10:45.99 PR 3200m. She is the 3A State XC champion and has a 5000m PR of 17:23.70. Robinson has a big kick, and Tomasic only has one speed and is not afraid to go out hard and run out front. Robinson and Coryell will have to stay in contact if they are to challenge Tomasic.
Others to watch are SR Keira Merrick of Satellite (4:59.81), SO Selah Vignier of West Shore (5:01.38), and JR Miah Galban of Golden Gate (5:05.11).