The 2026 postseason is underway. Several Florida athletes competed at the RunningLane Track Championships, and many decided to stay in Florida at the inaugural Southeast Meet of Champions in Jacksonville. Here are a few highlights from Friday's competitions for Florida athletes
RunningLane Championships - Huntsville, AL
Photo Credit: Steven Payne
Brendan Cutler of Choctawhatchee HS was 5th in the Boys 800m Run Championship, just off his FL #6-ranked 1:51.87 with a 1:52.54. Cutlers' 1:51.87 came in a 2nd place finish two weeks ago in the FHSAA 3A State Finals.
In the 3200m Run Championship, Evan Spreitzer of Holy Trinity, was 9th in an 8:57.33, just bettering his FL #3 ranking of 8:58.33.
Southeast Meet of Champions - Jacksonville, FL
Photo Credit: Cedric Gillette
The meet features many Florida athletes who chose to stay local. On Friday, several athletes stood out. Most notably, Preston Sangely of Spanish River in the boys' 1 Mile Run New Balance Showcase. The senior, paced by his brother Casey, pursued a sub-4:00 mile. He missed going sub-4:00, running 4:04.95 (c1600m = 4:03.53). His time moved him into the #1 spot in Florida and into the #5 spot nationally, and is a #4 All-Time in Florida. #3 for 1600m ll-time allowing for the conversion.
Sangely split: 61.51, 59.72 (2:01.23, 61.97 (3:03.19), and 61.76 (4:04.95).
Charles Loftin of the Providence School was second in the race, running a Florida #3 4:09.55.
Photo Credit: Cedric Gillette
In the Girls 1 Mile Run New Balance Showcase, senior Atarah Robinson of Venice HS continued her winning ways, taking the race in 4:47.72. Robinson, the FHSAA 4A state 1600m champion and the FHSAA state 1600m record holder (4:46.50), finished with a strong, 66.28 last 400m to get the win over junior Alba Antunez-Perez of Spanish River (Palm Beach Elite Track Club). Antunez-Perez ran 4:50.48. Robinson's time moved her into the #10 spot all-time in the Florida HS girls 1 Mile and the #6 spot in the 1600, with a converted time of 4:46.05.
Photo Credit: Steven Payne
In the Girls Long Jump New Balance Showcase, freshman Jewel Domingue (Fast Lane Track Club) went 5.99m (19-7.75) to get the win. Jewel was second in the FHSAA 2A State finals with a 5.81m (19-0.5) and has a PR this season of 6.15m (20-2.0).
Photo Credit: Bryce Veller
Lake Minneola sophomore Vanessa Waite (Power House Athletics) demonstrated why she is the #1 ranked Florida girl in the 200m with a win in the Girls 200 Dash New Balance Showcase in 23.37. Waite is the FHSAA 4A 200m champion with a state-leading 23.17.
