Belén Jesuit Jr. Marcelo Mantecon is the current state leader in the 1600m and the 3200m, and is the defending champion in the 3A 3200m. He has had a remarkable season and established himself as one of Florida's best, if not the best ever, distance runners. Preston Sangely of Spanish River leads the state in the 800m with a current US No. 1. The two went head-to-head in the early season in the 1600m at a Belen home meet, with Mantecon getting the win.
Photo Credit: Dave Tibbetts
As we head into the postseason next week, here is a look at your current state leaders by event and where they ranked last year in those events at the end of the season. The 2026 state leaderboard offers an interesting snapshot: many state leaders have made significant leaps in their events from outside last year's top tier, with only two boys returning as state champions. Zamarii Sanders of Cardinal Newman in the 2A 100m (10.40) and 200m (20.97), and Marcelo Mantecon of Belen Jesuit in the 3A 3200m (8:56.89).
Davion Crumitie of Rickards HS leads the 100m with a wind-aided 10.05, a massive jump from his 17th-place ranking in 2025 (10.66). His rise signals one of the most notable improvements in the state this season.
In contrast, Zamarii Sanders of Cardinal Newman has reinforced his elite status. The reigning state champion in both the 100m and 200m, Sanders now leads the 200m at 20.46 after finishing second in 2025 (20.61). Sanders has continued his dominance this season and at the recent Pepsi Florida Relays ran unattached in the Olympic Development 100m, placing 5th in 10.20.
Kedric Wright Jr (Palatka HS) has also surged, moving from 20th in the 400m (47.89) to the current state lead at 46.76. Similarly, Kobe Johnson (Dunbar HS) improved from ninth in the 110m hurdles (14.13) to first this season with 13.8.
Christopher Lawley (IMG Academy), now leading the 400m hurdles in 53.27, had no state ranking in 2025. IMG does not participate in the State series, leaving the No. 2-ranked 400m hurdler in the state, Julian Luiz of the Benjamin School (53.39). Luiz was 2nd in the 1A championships last year and will be the favorite heading into the postseason.
The middle-distance events showcase some of the most dramatic year-over-year improvements.
Preston Sangely of Spanish River leads the 800m at 1:49.64 after ranking just 55th last year (1:56.30). He has been one of the state's top distance runners, and his progression in the 800m has been remarkable. We may see a sub-1:50 800m at the State meet.
Meanwhile, Marcelo Mantecon of Belen Jesuit continues to validate his standing as perhaps the greatest high school boys' distance runner in Florida history. The returning 3A state champion in the 3200m (8:56.89 in 2025), Mantecon now leads both the 1600m (4:04.83) and 3200m (8:50.26). His consistency at the top level makes him the only distance runner maintaining a dominant hold across multiple events, and he is only a junior.
The field events further emphasize the emergence of new contenders.
Liam Marley (Calvary Christian) has built on a strong 2025 (4th, 57.78m) to take over the state lead in discus at 58.75m. In javelin, Brison Sullivan (New Smyrna Beach) is undefeted on the season and has made a massive leap from 28th (49.12m) to first (63.41m), representing one of the largest positional gains across all events.
Charlie Perkins (Niceville) now leads the shot put at 18.56m despite having no ranking last season, while Samuel Johnson (Montverde Academy) has done the same in the triple jump (15.48m).
In the long jump, Raymond Hawkins (Flanagan) improved from 25th (7.06m) to first (7.50m). Meanwhile, Jeremiah Lysius (Park Vista) has remained near the top in high jump, moving from third (2.13m) to first this season (2.10m). We may see him over that 7-0. barrier.
In the Pole Vault, Jaxon Jerabek (IMG Academy) was the SCHSL State Championships - AAAA last spring and is tied at US No. 1 this season aith a vault of 5.47m. With IMG not competing in the State series, Beck Williams of South Walton HS topped the rankings, with a 4.88m vault. Williams was 3rd in the 2A finals last year and was tied for No. 5 with a 4.5m vault.
2026 Current Florida State Leaders by Event & Where They Ranked in 2025
Belén Jesuit Jr. Marcelo Mantecon is the current state leader in the 1600m and the 3200m, and is the defending champion in the 3A 3200m. He has had a remarkable season and established himself as one of Florida's best, if not the best ever, distance runners. Preston Sangely of Spanish River leads the state in the 800m with a current US No. 1. The two went head-to-head in the early season in the 1600m at a Belen home meet, with Mantecon getting the win.
Photo Credit: Dave Tibbetts