4A Boys District Takeaways & Regional Qualifiers

With no returning state champions in 4A, every event is wide open, and the district competitions only reinforced how competitive 4A will be.

Lakeland senior DJ Dobie, the 4A state leader in the 100m, led the sprint charge at districts with a double victory at District 6, running 10.34 and 21.24. He also contributed to Lakeland's winning 4x100 relay, positioning himself as one of the top title contenders in the 200m

Two other sub-10.40 sprinters also swept their district titles. Columbus senior Alec Cruz won District 16 in 10.77 and 21.35 while running legs on both the 4x100 and 4x400 winning relays. Flanagan junior Jacob Thomas took District 15 in 10.46 and 21.29 and ran on the winning 4x100 squad. Cruz and Thomas are set for a head-to-head clash in Region 4 this weekend.

In the 400m, Flanagan's Alan Harris, the state leader at 46.83, advanced comfortably with a 47.77 win at District 15 and also qualified in the 200m. Meanwhile, a major shakeup occurred in District 2, where Flagler Palm Coast's Jordan Haymon, ranked No. 2 in 4A, did not advance out of districts.

The 800m stands out as one of the deepest events in Florida this year, especially in 4A. Spanish River's Preston Sangely leads the state with a 1:49.64 and showed his range at District 13 with wins in the 800m (2:02.96), 1600m (4:46.99), and 3200m (9:24.79), along with a leg on the winning 4x800 relay. Sangely also holds the top 4A marks in the 1600m (4:06.83) and 3200m (8:58.78).

Flanagan junior Malcolm Spence IV, ranked No. 2 in the 800m (1:51.91), won the District 15 800m (1:55.7) and 3200m (10:16.56) while contributing to the winning 4x800 relay. Notably, East River senior Omaree Baptiste, another sub-1:52 performer, did not run the 800m at District 3, instead qualifying in the 400m (48.53) and advancing with the 4x800 relay.

In the hurdles, Palmetto senior Tyler Starling moved to No. 2 in the 110mH rankings with a 13.90 win at District 11, where he also claimed the 400mH (54.30). He joins Ocoee senior Jaiden Manning, the state leader, who advanced from District 4 in both hurdle events.

The 400m hurdles will be especially competitive, with three athletes under 54 seconds this season: Nova's Jayden Carroll (53.01), Cypress Creek's John Machado (53.71), and Flanagan's Alijah McKenzie (53.95). All three won district titles, with Machado and McKenzie set to meet in Region 4.

In the relays, Lakeland (40.65) joined Flanagan (40.13) and Nova (40.87) as the top 4x100 squads after district wins. Nova and Flanagan's upcoming Region 4 matchup could preview the state final.

In the field events, Jeremiah Lysius of Park Vista continues to lead not just 4A but the entire state in the high jump with a 2.10m clearance. He won District 13 with a 1.97m jump.

Flanagan's Raymond Hawkins, one of only two athletes statewide over 7.50m this season, claimed the District 15 long jump title with a 7.07m mark.

The triple jump also features strong depth, with three athletes over 14.35m this season. Parrish Community's Riley Michaud (14.62m) won District 11, Miami Southridge's Jayden Jones (14.40m) took District 16, and Heritage's Nathaniel Owens (14.35m) won District 7. All three remain on track for a highly competitive state final.

4A  BOYS TOP REGIONAL QUALIFYING TIMES