Running Events
Field Events
Terry Long FSU Relays: Saturday Preview - A Showcase of Sprint Showdowns, Hurdles, and Distance Stars
From loaded hurdle sections to sub-47 400-meter runs, marquee 1600-meter races, and the best of the State in the field events, Saturday's schedule is packed with state and nationally ranked talent. The top athletes are easy to spot, but breakout potential exists across most events.
Here's a closer look at Saturday's running and Field Events.
Girls 100m Hurdles Preview
The girls' 100-meter hurdles may produce one of the tightest races of the meet.
Moriah Campbell Moriah Campbell of Landmark Christian (GA) enters with the top time of 13.62, and that makes her the one to beat. But Florida's best are stacked right beside her. Nia Armstrong of Sickles comes in with a state-leading 13.88, Kaitlyn Brown of Beachside is at 13.94, and Hayden Higgins of East Lake is at 14.06.
In the 100mH, it's the start, the speed, and running clean over the hurdles. Watch for Armstrong and Brown to be out front, and we might see several girls pulled under 14 seconds.
Boys 110m Hurdles Preview
The boys' 110 hurdles should be one of the better event-for-event competitions on the track Saturday morning.
Kobe Johnson of Dunbar leads the field at 13.80, with Jamari Rousseau of Landmark Christian right behind at 13.88, and Jeremy Mango of Rickards sits at 13.92. These three will push each other, and it may take a 13.50 or better to win.
Watch for Timothy Alston Jr. of Richmond Hill at 14.06 and Stone Strokin of McArthur at 14.30 to push the trio above. There is no room for error here. Johnson owns the top time, but the margin is slim enough that being clean over the hurdles could decide everything.
Girls 400m Preview
The girls' 400-meter final has one major theme: Montverde Academy demonstrated their depth indoors in the 400m, and it's the same outdoors.
Dasia Reed leads the field with 54.56, which she ran indoors, while teammate Adriana Rodriguez is just .20 behind at 54.76, and Nakira Hudson comes in with a 55.75. That trio gives Montverde a real chance to sweep.
Danielle Hagans of Andrew Jackson, however, enters at 54.90, and Sophia Florik of Doral Academy sits at 55.37. Isabel Head of West Port and Vanessa Waite of Lake Minneola add further depth, while Journee Belcher of Rickards is another athlete capable of making this race chaotic late. I dont see a dominance here, and who can hold on to the last 50m may get the win. It may take a sub-54 run to get the win. On paper, it's Reed, but this will be one of the better races of the day.
Boys 400m Preview
If you are looking for one of Saturday's premier sprint events, make sure to watch the boys' 400.
Kedric Wright Jr. of Palatka leads the field at 46.76, and he is the only athlete in the heat under 47 seconds. That alone makes him the man to beat. But he will be surrounded by plenty of sub-47 potential.
Jadrian Carmo of Bishop Verot has run 47.72, Myles Dixon of DeMatha Catholic (MD) owns a 47.79 indoor credential, Koi Davis of West Port is at 47.94, and Aariz Rahman of Stanton Prep sits at 47.95. Add Jaydyn Haywood of Fletcher and Cameron August of Hoover, and the 400m will be fast.
This feels like a race with multiple 47-second performances. Definitley gong to take a sub-47 run to win.
Girls 100m Preview
The girls' 100 is stacked with some of the top speed in Florida, and it may be one of the most open races of the afternoon.
Vanessa Waite of Lake Minneola enters at 11.53, the fastest seed in the field. Evie Freeman of Bolles is close behind her with an 11.57, and Kalia Bing of Bishop Snyder comes in with an 11.62. It's a deep field with Jewel Domingue of American Heritage Boca Delray, just a freshman, who entered at 11.74. Layla Straw of Enterprise (AL) and Laiana McClinton of Largo are both listed at 11.84.
This one will be close, like most 100m, and is one of the first major sprint finals of the season: proven stars, young challengers, and very little separation on paper. Waite has the slight edge with her experience and raw speed, but I would count anyone out.
Boys 100m Preview
Eyes are always on the marquee distance races at FSU, but they will be watching this one closely.
Davion Crumitie of Rickards leads the field at 10.22, and that mark gives him the edge as the favorite. Right next to him is Braylen Bennett of American Heritage at 10.33.
They will not be alone, as only 18 seconds separate the top-seeded runners.
Owen Kaye of Raines comes in at 10.36; Braden Pickett of Pearl (MS) at 10.41; Aiden E. Smith of DeMatha Catholic (MD) at 10.41; Alec Cruz of Christopher Columbus is at 10.43; and DJ Dobie of Lakeland comes in at 10.47.
Crumitie gets top billing, but Bennett is close enough to make this a real fight. If either gets a clean start, this could turn into one of the fastest races not only of the meet, but of the season.
Girls 400m Hurdles Preview
The girls' 400 hurdles lacks one overwhelming favorite, which makes it especially compelling.
Alondra Rodriguez of Cypress Creek enters with the top mark at 59.94, the only sub-1:00 mark in the field. That makes her the clear favorite, but it's a tough race and anything can happen in the 400mH. Getting over the last hurdle clean before the sprint to the finish sometimes determines the outcome.
Still, several athletes are positioned to pressure her. Saylor Tolbert of Niceville sits at 1:01.38, Hayden Higgins of East Lake is at 1:02.40, and Nia Armstrong of Sickles comes in at 1:02.78.
The biggest wildcard may be Maleaha Pritchett of Richmond Hill (GA), whose 42.56 in the 300-meter hurdles suggests she has the tools to put herself in the race, but its a big transition going from 300m to the 400m.
Rodriguez has earned the top line, but this race has enough uncertainty to produce a surprise.
Boys 400m Hurdles Preview
The boys' 400 hurdles field has a clear headliner.
Kendrick Joshua of Richmond Hill (GA) enters with a big 50.53 from the 2025 at the USATF U20 Championships, and that credential makes him a huge favorite. If he is in comparable shape, he is the athlete everyone else will have to chase.
Behind him, Anthony Gee of Pine Forest comes in with a 53.94, Julian Luiz of The Benjamin School at 54.55, and Jason Williams of Raines at 54.74. Stone Stroking of McArthur is also in the mix at 55.07.
Leondre Franklin of Harrison Central (MS), is another to watch as he comes in with a 38.12 in the 300-meter hurdles and is stepping up to the 400.
Girls 1600m Invitational Preview
The girls' invitational 1600 is deep, balanced, and packed with state champions and proven distance talent.
Atarah Robinson of Venice leads the entries with a 4:50.23. The University of Hawaii-bound runner comes in as the girl to beat. Her combination of strength, experience, and raw speed over the last 400m has put her at the top of the Florida rankings this year.
Behind her, Eliana Black of Northside Christian, a two-time state XC champion, is seeded at 4:53.87, and Madison Muller of Riverview Sarasota (4A State XC champion) sits at 4:54.15. Avery Hartley of Bartram Trail enters at 4:58.47, while Celina Coryell of Satellite, Keira Melan of Dutchtown (LA), Marisa Mantecon of Our Lady of Lourdes, and Sarah Rose of Creekside all come in right around the 5:00 barrier.
It's a deep race with multiple girls that can and will go sub-5:00. Robinson is the logical favorite, but it's a very talented field, and to win, it may take a sub-4:50.
Boys 1600m Invitational Preview
The boys' invitational 1600 has the look of a feature event, and it starts with one name: Marcelo Mantecon.
The Belen Jesuit star leads the field with a 4:06.86, and after his huge indoor season that culminated with a 4:00.66 win in the Mile at the Nike Indoor Nationals, he enters as the biggest distance name on the track and in the nation. Right behind him is Preston Sangely of Spanish River with a 4:07.31, setting up an elite head-to-head battle between two of Florida's and the SE's best.
Belen's other talented junior, Armando Cruz comes in with a 4:13.75. He is joined by Connor Fanberg of Jesuit (LA) who has run a 4:13.34 at RunningLane in 2025 and a 4:13.87 indoor mile at Nike Indoor Nationals.
Other names to watch include William DeCuir of Catholic -B.R (LA), Miles Wicks of Ponte Vedra, Casey Sangely of Spanish River. It's going to be a large field of talented "Milers." If Mantecon takes command early, this could become a fast, honest 1600. If it turns tactical, Mantecon has good closing speed, but Sangely and the rest of the chase group will have a real chance to make it a crazy final lap. Will we see a sub-4:00 1600?