J'nia Simpson of Tampa Catholic HS is set to defend her 2A Discus and Shot Put titles as we head into the 2026 postseason. Above winning the discus at the recent Pepsi Florida Relays (48.69m)
Photo Credit: M. Stonecipher
As Florida enters postseason competition, the 2026 girls state leaderboard reflects both continuity at the top and significant upward movement across events. A key storyline this year is the return of six defending state champions, several of whom have not only maintained their elite status but improved upon it as they head into championship season. Lee Peters, Taylor-Nicole Overton, J'nia Simpson, Olivia Ennis, Mikayla Shavers, and Sienna Starks enter the postseason not just as titleholders but as the current state leaders.
Lee Peters (Foundation Academy), the reigning 1A state champion in the 100m (11.60), now leads the state with an improved 11.35. After ranking seventh overall in 2025 (11.53), she has elevated from class champion to the overall statewide leader, positioning herself as a favorite regardless of classification.
Taylor-Nicole Overton (Vero Beach HS), the 4A 400m state champion (53.19), has taken another step forward. She currently leads the state at 51.64 after finishing third overall in 2025. Her progression signals a clear separation from the field entering the postseason. At the recent Pepsi Florida Relays, she took the Women's Elite Olympic Development 400m with her state-leading time.
J'Nia Simpson (Tampa Catholic HS) remains one of the most dominant multi-event athletes in Florida and the nation. The 2A state champion in both the discus (46.15m) and shot put (14.09m), Simpson leads the state again in both events-49.58m in discus (after ranking No. 1 in 2025 at 50.75m) and 15.39m in shot put (after placing second last year in the rankings at 14.6m). Her consistency and improvement make her the odds-on favorite to repeat her double again at the state meet.
Olivia Ennis (Plant City), the defending 4A javelin champion (46.38m), has improved to a state-leading 49.12m in 2026 after finishing second in the rankings last season.
Mikayla Shavers (Fleming Island HS), the 3A triple jump champion (11.90m), has also improved, now leading the state at 12.91m. After ranking sixth overall in 2025 (12.22m), she enters the postseason as the clear favorite to win her second triple jump state title.
Sienna Starks (Bolles HS) returns as the 2A state champion with a vault of 3.6m. She is currently tied for Florida No. 2 with Selena Gregory of Nease HS at 3.8m.
The 200m and the hurdles highlight outstanding returners.
Vanessa Waite (Lake Minneola HS), a 2028 standout, leads the 200m at 23.36 after finishing fifth in the rankings last year (23.28). While her time is slightly off her 2025 best, she has demonstrated that she is one of the top sprinters in the state, no matter the classifications.
Nia Armstrong (Sickles HS), another underclass athlete (2028), improved from fifth (13.49) to first in the 100m hurdles with a 13.33 state;eading and US No. 1, 100mH.
Kyara Belfort (St. Thomas Aquinas HS) has made one of the biggest leaps statewide, moving from 23rd in 2025 (1:02.25) to first in the 400m hurdles rankings with 59.4. The Aquinas junior will be the favorite to take the 400mH in the 2A classification.
The distance events show a mix of returning dominance and new leadership, with Aurora Bertelesen Del Solar and Danielle Graham of IMG leading the way in the 800m and the 1600m. Neither of these girls will be running the state series, leading the way for Marisa Mantecon (Our Lady of Lourdes Academy), who is the No. 4 ranked girl in the state 800m rankings (No's 1-3 all attend IMG Academy) and Atarah Robinson (Venice HS), the No. 2 ranked girl in the 1600m to be the favorites as we head into the post season. Mantecon, only a freshman, has run 2:09.18 and was 3rd last spring in the FLYRA Middle School State Track and Field Championship (2:18.01). Robinson, a senior, has run 4:48.05 and was 5th in the 4A 1600m (4:59.11).
Aurora Bertelsen Del Solar (IMG Academy) remains No. 1 in the 800m after also leading in 2025, though her current mark (2:08.28) is slightly behind last year's 2:06.80.
Danielle Graham (IMG Academy) continues to lead the 1600m, maintaining her top position from 2025 despite a slower seasonal best (4:47.70 vs. 4:43.51).
In the 3200m, Alba Antunez-Perez (Spanish River HS) emerges as a new leader at 10:23.76 after not being ranked in 2025.
The jumps highlight several athletes making major moves up the rankings.
Naima Durandisse (Boone HS) leads the high jump at 1.74m despite having no ranking last year, marking a breakout season.
Hayden Higgins (East Lake HS) has surged from 16th (5.76m) to first (6.10m) in the long jump rankings, while Madeline Entwistle (IMG Academy) improved from 12th (3.57m) to first in the pole vault rankings at 3.92m. With IMG not participating in the State Series, the state leaders are: Selena Gregory of Nease HS and Sienna Starks of Bolles HS. Both have vaulted 3.8m this season. Gregory was 6th in last year's 4A competition (3.3m), and Starks is the favorite to repeat as the 2A state champion (3.6m).
2026 Current Florida State Leaders by Event & Where They Ranked in 2025
J'nia Simpson of Tampa Catholic HS is set to defend her 2A Discus and Shot Put titles as we head into the 2026 postseason. Above winning the discus at the recent Pepsi Florida Relays (48.69m)