*The previews that have been put together over the past four weeks are simply for the promotion of track and field in the state of Florida, and made to give the "average" fan some insight and a heads up on who to look out for this year. Whether it be at a duel meet, or a large invitational the names and teams listed in these previews will be worth something to watch. Good luck to all the athletes in the BEST track and field state in the country!
Team Preview
(G)- I think it has something to do with Oak Ridge dropping down to 3A, but I think this year's 4A state finals will be the Miami Northwestern show all over again. MNW lost current Miami Hurricane Pa'vielle James, but they return almost everybody else. They won by 10 points over Oak Ridge last year, and I expect that margin to be significantly larger with the lack of depth of teams behind them. Palm Beach Lakes, third last year, loses 54 out of their 54.50 points from last year's team…ouch. Miami Southridge returns all of their vital point scorers in the sprints, hurdles, and a few jumping events. 4A may not have the up top battle like 3A, but some quality team performances will show up across the board. MNW is a pretty balanced team as they have point scorers in the track with the sprints AND the distance events, and on the field through the jumps and throws as well..
(B)- Name a team from Miami and chances are they are probably a contender (i.e. Miami Norland, Miami Northwestern, Miami Central), but they will all be looking with their heads up and above to dethrone defending champion Evans of Orlando. Evans returns a potent group of hurdlers/sprinters and 400m runners and have picked up a BIG talent in Junior Chris Ward. These Trojans are led my stud hurdler Marcus Postell, and have a bevy of middle distance talent. Their weakness, if any, will be in the field events with the lack of a strong jumper or thrower. One could argue that they lacked a field event presence last year as well, but seemed to come out all right. Miami Norland, led by 800m runner Mikal Ebanks, loses some key sprinters like Adeshina and Huggins but Ebanks doubling in the 1600/800 could easily make up those missed points. Also, their 4x800m team that was in the lead after the 1st leg last year, but was later disqualified returns their core. Rumors have swirled regarding Ebanks transfer, but let\'s just wait and see for the season to start!
Event Preview
4x800m Relay (G)- Oak Ridge is gone, and left behind is Miami Northwestern, Gaither, and Lake Brantley. All have pretty solid teams returning, but Gaither returns some the most experience with three legs including the Quick sisters. Northwestern has two very reliable legs in Addison and Cunningham, and they might just be enough to move them up from their runner up finish last year to a state title this year. Lake Brantley, pending injury and so on, has EVERYBODY back from their 6th place, 9:44.95 team including 5:00 miler Amanda Hintze. A sleeper could arise as the season goes on, but for now these big three remain in the hunt.
4x800m Relay (B)- No clear favorite this time around as defending champion Miami Northwestern is stripped of three legs because of graduation. So let's run down the list of last year's top teams. Winter Park? They lose everyone except 1:55 leg Vogt. Colonial? Lose all four legs from their state team. Miami Palmetto? Maybe, with two legs coming back and two really good days. Hmm, how about Miami Norland? Anytime you have a 1:52 opening leg coming back for your really team, you have a "fighting" chance to be competitive. Norland was DQ'd last year for reasons I'm still not sure about. However, they did run 8:06 @ their region meet last year, and have a solid nucleus of 400m runners plus a 1:52 leadoff leg in Ebanks. Chalk down Miami Norland as a pre-season favorite along with Miami Central, Miami Palmetto, Boyd Anderson, and Evans.
100m H. Hurdles (G): Keittiany Clarke and Paville James were two of the best hurdlers in the history of Florida. Unfortunately, both graduated last year along with third place finisher Kendra Newton. Micaela Wimberly takes her talents to 3A but leaves a hungry field in her wake. I have a feeling Mattear will save her best for last this year. Toyria Mattear of Piper who is the highest returning state finisher. Any Miami Northwestern hurdler is a threat, and this year that threat will come from Lizzie Harris.
Top Contenders:
Toyria Mattear (Piper) 14.43
Lizzie Harris (Miami Northwestern) 14.65
Florence Kenzie (Miami Norland) 14.99
05' Winner= Keittiany Clarke (Palm Beach Lakes) 13.82
110m H. Hurdles (B): Armando Allen of Miami Lakes also came into the state meet with an electric time 14.05 posted at his district meet. I see him connecting on all the right cylinders in May with a sub 14 effort in what should make for a very competitive 110 hurdles race. But wait…what about that hurdler from Bartram Trail? David Barnhill fell to victim to a false start in the preliminary round of his 110 hurdle heat and missed the final. Something tells me he will finish his career as a Bear with a bang, and really make a name for himself. Allen. Miami Central's Terry Williams knows he can score big points for his team here, and his 14.17 will definitely be a factor. Catch all three in an early matchup at the Bob Hayes Invitational in Jacksonville in March.
Top Contenders:
Armando Allen (Hiahleah Miami Lakes) 14.05
David Barnhill (Bartram Trail) 14.17
Terry Williams (Miami Central) 14.17
Willis West (Northwest Christian) 14.30
05' Winner= Deaaron Duvall (Sarasota Riverview) 14.01
100m (G) – Get to know this name…BRITTANY JONES. The 100m might not even be her best event, but it sure shows her acceleration. Kristine Scott and Jones will be battling all night in the sprint events, but expect Jones to display that championship composure similar to the way she carried herself at N.O.C.
Top Contenders:
Brittany Jones (Deerfield Beach) 11.63
Kristine Scott (Olympia) 11.86
Dericka Love (Miami Southridge) 11.94
Danille Nolton (Miami Northwestern) 12.11
05' Winner=Barbara Pierre (Oak Ridge) 11.81
100m (B) – Did you see that front page article on Marcus Postell? If not, keep a sharp eye on this guy the night of the 4A state meet. He will likely be very instrumental in Evan's title defense starting here with the 100m. He returns with the fastest returning time, and pending another false start at districts he will likely bring in 10 points. Also, look out for USF signee D'Andre Ruff, Norman Nicholas of Palm Beach, and
Top Contenders
Marcus Postell (Evans) 10.56
D'Andre Ruff (Palm Beach Gardens) 10.63
Norman Nicholas (Palm Beach Gardens) 10.84
Brandon Sublett (Mandarin) 10.80
05' Winner=Teddy Poole (Lakeland) 10.89
1600m (G)- Areson, Amaro, Hintze, and maybe even Brasovan. What more could you ask for in a state meet 1600m final? Areson, one of the top three milers in the country returns with the fastest time but has not run a 1600m at the state meet since her freshman year. However, she has run it at the biggest of meets (see: NIC, NOC, Boston Indoor Games, etc.) Amaro, known as a very tough competitor and a gutsy track racer will likely hold on for dear life with Areson for as long as she can. Hintze, who ran a very respectable 5:01 here last year, also could have a big night but newcomer Ashley Brasovan may have just shown us a glimpse of things to come during cross country. If the petitie freshman can develop some speed then look out.
Top Contenders:
Jackie Areson (Atlantic-Delray) 4:45.01
Emilie Amaro (Cypress Bay) 5:01.46
Amanda Hintze (Lake Brantley) 5:01.86
Kerry Allen (St. Petersburg) 5:07.07
05' Winner=Jenny Barringer (Oviedo) 4:54.29
1600m (B)- Some how a 1600m state title keeps eluding the best runner in Florida. Whether it has been sickness or a bad race, Harbor has been unable to capture a title in his favorite event. Have no fear, this is the year when Justin Harbor will be victorious and win that title. I have a feeling he will be very well rested and ready to roll when it's time to go. I expect the state meet record to be in serious jeporady after Harbor just posted a blazing 4:11.04c at the Boston Indoor Games…in January! He's also has a 6 second advantage over the next closest returnee, and all the confidence in the world needed to be successful. Other contenders including a very motivated Caleb Vogt who could decide to double come May if his recovery goes well enough. Alex Wills will likely finally make it to the state meet as an individual in one of his best events here. Richie Bonilla will be back in full force along with Quinton Mayo, Aaron Thomas, and sophomore Daniel Maco.
Top Contenders:
Justin Harbor (Flagler Palm Coast) 4:11.04c
Caleb Vogt (Winter Park) 4:18.78
Richie Bonilla (Cypress Bay) 4:25.71
Alex Wills (Colonial) 4:27.54
Daniel Maco (Ferguson) 4:29.39
05' Winner= Coleman Hoover (Winter Park) 4:20.18
4x100m Relay (G)- Different year, same story in this relay. Miami Northwestern, Miami Jackson and Olympia are the cream of the crop. Olympia has the best anchor leg in Scott but I'm not sure that'll be enough to topple Miami Northwestern. Then again Miami Jackson moves down to 3A. MNW keys off their synchronized handoffs.
4x100m Relay (B)- Orlando Evans is the defending champion in this event, and pending a bad handoff/dropped baton/etc., they should return to the top of the podium this year with the return of Postell and the rest of that Trojan Foursome.
400m (G) – Brittany Jones went on to become one of the best 400m runners in the nation last spring with a BLAZING 52.44 and picking up three All-Americans certificates at Nike Outdoor Nationals. Another year of competition brings another year of experience for Knight of Pierce Central, and Black of Southridge.
Top Contenders:
Brittany Jones (Deerfield Beach) 52.44
Tiffany Knight (Fort Pierce Central) 55.90
Auja Pughsley (Piper HS) 56.77
Felicia Black (Miami Southridge) 56.79
05' Winner=Brittany Jones (Deerfield Beach) 53.74
400m (B)- Chris Ward will be the 2006 4A state champ. Chris who? Ward transferred to Evans at the end of track season and went on to tear up the track during the summer posting bests of 46.97/21.37. Ward will look to stop Wimberly's bid for his 2nd straight title. This another deep event for 4A with four boys returning under 49 seconds. Sandi Fraser gives Evans a solid 1-2 punch here.
Top Contenders:
Chirs Ward (Evans) 46.97
Sandi Fraser (Evans) 48.52
Joshua Wimberly (Piper) 47.64
Tabari Henry (Miami Norland) 48.21
05' Winner= Joshua Wimberly (Piper) 47.64
300m Low Hurdles (G): Come on now, are you really going to be against Lizze Harris of Miami Northwestern? Didn't think so. The heir to Pav'ielle James so to speak is an excellent 300m hurdler who might just be one of the best all-around athletes in the state. Right behind Harris is Mattear of Piper who is more of a 100m hurdler specialist, and Rolle of Edgewater.
Top Contenders:
Lizzie Harris (Miami Northwestern) 42.94
Toyria Mattear (Piper) 43.37
J-zotta Rolle (Edgewater) 45.78
Jaleesa Brumby (Coral Reef) 45.97
05' Winner=Lizze Harris (Miami Northwestern) 42.94
300m Intermediate Hurdles (B) – Marcus Postell…enough said. However, Barnhill of Bartram Trail will make some noise along with the two teammates from Edgewater.
Top Contenders:
Marcus Postell (Evans) 37.72
David Barnhill (Bartram Trail) 39.03
Tyler Barnett (Edgewater) 38.76
Joseph Schultz (Edgewater) 38.81
05' Winner= Marcus Postell (Evans) 37.72
800m (G) – Jackie Areson looks to capture her third consecutive 800m title, but here's the thing; she won the 2A title in 2004, 3A title in 2005, and hopefully the 4A title this year. Name the last time that's happened. Stumped? So am I. Her competition should come from different directions this year by way of Deland in Brook Baumann, Orange Park in Marisa Defeo, and Christal Washington of Broward. All have run under 2:17, and everyone has room for improvement.
Top Contenders:
Jackie Areson (Atlatnic-Delray) 2:12.25
Brook Baumann (Deland) 2:16.00
Marisa Defeo (Orange Park) 2:16.94
Christal Washington (South Broward) 2:16.96
05' Winner= Jamia Hutto (Oak Ridge) 2:16.76
800m (B) – Mikal Ebanks…1:52 opening leg for his 4x800 team. His team's disqualification obviously made him pretty mad, and he decided to take it out on the rest of 4A and take the 800 field by storm by upsetting almost everyone and becoming a surprise winner. The next closest challenger should be Jean Nougues of Boyd Anderson who could have a break out year with the kind of speed he posseses. 4A was robbed of talent due to graduation, but that just leaves more room for another standout field.
Top Contenders:
Mikal Ebanks (Miami Norland) 1:52
Jean Nougues (Boyd Anderson) 1:57.12
Albert Hourie (Piper) 1:58.38
Jason Delancy (Miami Northwestern) 1:59.05
05' Winner= Mikal Ebanks (Miami Norland) 1:54.58
200m (G)- There's this girl named Brittany Jones that I hear is really fast. It might just be silly to bet against the NEW sprint queen of Florida, but other half-lappers that could make some noise are Dericka Love, Kristine Scott, and Gaylyn Iloka.
Top Contenders:
Brittany Jones (Deerfield Beach) 23.13
Kristine Scott (Olympia) 23.94
Dericka Love (Miami Southridge) 24,79
Gaylyn Iloka (Rockledge) 24.16
05' Winner=Brittany Jones (Deerfield Beach) 24.04
200m (B) – The 4A 200m race is another one that has a clear front favorite in Chris Ward, but Ward has yet to run in a state meet final. The highest returning finisher is Joshua Wimberly of Piper who placed 2nd last year and will be battling Ward in the 400. Will it be the newcomer or the experienced vet?
Top Contenders:
Chris Ward (Evans) 21.37
Joshua Wimberly (Piper) 21.83
Tim Rising (Mandarin) 22.00
Devin Hill (Carol City) 21.79
05' Winner=Antonio Wiggins (Mainland) 21.78
3200m (G)- Another very good matchup here with some of the best collection of talent in the state. This should be a solid battle between freshman phenom Ashley Brasovan, who looks like she cold run 5:30 pace forever v. Emilie Amaro who ran 10:48 last year. Kerry Allen is still around as well. Allen, the last Florida girl to beat Jenny Barringer in a two mile, won here a freshman. Amanda Hintze will be in the mix as well as she always seems to be able to bounce back from the mile with strong performances. Expect a few Bucholz girls, the duo from Lady of Lourdes, Amanda Quick, and Isel Ramos to round out the top 8.
Top Contenders:
Ashley Brasovan (Wellington) 17:075k
Emilie Amaro (Cypress Bay) 10:48.86
Amanda Hintze (Lake Brantley) 11:10.52
Kerry Alen (St. Petersburg) 11:09.51
05' Winner=Jenny Barringer (Oviedo) 10:36.94
3200m (B)- The Justin Harbor show will likely continue here, unless Vogt can bounce back from his injury and into his 9:17 shape of a year ago. These two have yet to face off it what will be a very anticipated battle. This may be the deepest 3200 field of all classes with the likes of a healthy Aaron Kindt, an improved Alex Wills, a surprise in Jesus Batista, and the always dangerous Richie Bonnilla. Add a dash of Miami Columbus boys, a pinch of Nathan Bowerman, and a drop of Nathaniel Taylor and you have one heck of a field. 6 under 9:30?? Nothing is impossible with the kind of talent in this race. Nate Taylor's transfer to Bayside should be accounted for as well.
Top Contenders:
Justin Harbor (Flagler Palm Coast) 9:01.25c
Caleb Vogt (Winter Park) 9:17.53
Nate Taylor (Bayside) 9:35.1
Aaron Kindt (Boone) 9:39
05' Winner=Caleb Vogt (Winter Park) 9:17.53
4x400m (G)- Piper, Miami Northwestern, and South Broward will make for a very competitive 4x4 with each returning at least three members from their state teams a year ago. 4A will definitely miss Oak Ridge, but these three teams will certainly not.
4x400m (B)- Would anybody else pay to see a 4A 4x400m race? I know I would as 4A 4x400m races are ALWAYS barn burners and some of the best in the country with the talent from down south. Evans, Miami Northwestern, and Miami Norland are just a few names to look out for.
High Jump
(G) Top Contenders:
Lizzie Harris (Miami Northwestern) 5-08
Erin Farley (Colonial) 5-06
Devin Rivers (Miami Varela) 5-06
Clermise Paul (Vero Beach) 5-06
05' Winner= Lizzie Harris (Miami Northwestern) 5-08
(B) Jeremiah Thomas (Taravaella) 6-04
Chris Adingupu (Miami Carol City) 6-04
Anthony Speights (Coral Gables) 6-00
Castra Francois (Lely) 6-00
05' Winner= Jamal Whitted (Oak Ridge) 6-08
Pole Vault (G)
Top Contenders:
Elise Birnbaum (Winter Park) 12-00
Caroline Kennedy (Boone) 11-11
Briana Mulkey (Boone) 11-06
Meagan Martin (Lake Mary) 9-07
05' Winner=Caroline Kennedy (Boone) 11-06
(B)Top Contenders:
Joseph Davis (Sarasota Riverview) 14-00
Daniel Hamilton (Lyman) 13-00
Bryan Thomas (Flanagan) 13-06
Paul Greco (South Plantation) 13-00
05' Winner=Justin Shepherd (Vero Beach) 14-00
Long Jump (G)
Top Contenders:
Jennifer Estime (Miami Varela) 18-10
Dericka Love (Miami Southridge) 18-05
Tamika Besenty (Boyd Anderson) 18-03.75
Mashonda Raynor (Ft. Pierce Central) 17-11.75
05' Winner=Zarinah Suluki (Colonial) 19-09.50
(B) Wondy Pierre-Louis (Lely) 24-08
Chris Rainey (Lakeland) 23-07
Joaquim Francis (McArthur) 22-09
Johnny Patrick (Deland) 23-01
05' Winner=Wondy Pierre-Louis (Lely) 23-11
Triple Jump
(G) Top Contenders:
Lizzie Harris (Miami Northwestern) 39-02
Dericka Love (Miami Southridge) 37-09
Jennifer Estime (Miami Varela) 37-09
Tamika Besenty (Boyd Anderson) 37-03
05' Winner= Zarinah Suluki (Colonial) 39-10
(B) Wondy Pierre-Louis (Lely) 49-02
Rodney Cunningham (Miami Jackson) 47-02
Robert Sands (Carol City) 45-04
Jason Brown (Plant City) 44-11.75
05' Winner= Wondy Pierre-Louis (Lely) 48-00
Shot Put
(G) Top Contenders:
Zakeya Stinson (Miami Southridge) 45-00
Lakendra Thames (West Orange) 39-11
Jessica Frances (Boone) 39-11
Christina Raphael (Miami Northwestern) 39-02
05' Winner=Zakeya Stinson (Miami Southridge) 41-00.50
(B) Bryant Miller (Miami Central) 56-11
Lloyd Clarke (Winter Park) 53-10
Michael Putman (Christopher Columbus) 51-11.75
Martel Pope (Miami Southridge) 51-00
05' Winner=Ricky Jean-Francois (Carol City) 61-09
Discus (G)
Top Contenders:
Lakendra Thames (West Orange) 141-09
Alexa Revord (Sarasota Riverview) 140-11.50
Jessica Frances (Boone) 135-02
Christina Raphael (Miami Northwestern) 127-09
05' Winner=Lakendra Thames (West Orange) 141-09
(B) Zach Henderson (Bartram Trail) 158-09
Martel Pope (Miami Southridge) 152-09
Ryan Wischnefski (Melbourne) 151-05
05' Winner=Ricky Jean-Francois (Carol City) 175-01