Brooks PR Preview: Sunshine State Edition

Brooks PR Invitational
Todd Grasley


 

Eight of Florida's top track and field stars received the coveted "golden ticket" to the Brooks PR Invitational.  The event takes place Sunday, February 26th, at the Dempsey Indoor Track on the on the campus of the University of Washington.

 

Kermit Follows In Cousins Footsteps

Jones junior Levonte "Kermit" Whitfield is taking the same trip cousin Marvin Bracy took a year ago when he heads to Seattle for the Brooks PR Invitational. Last yearr Marvin Bracy represented the Orlando area, but will be resting a sore knee this time around. That will pave the way for cousin Levonte to make his own mark on the nation.

Whitfield, posted the fastest time in the land for a sophomore when he clocked a personal best 10.31 to win the Golden South classic. He found out he was selected for the meet over winter break and says he has never been out west and can't wait for the experience.

"It's a great experience to be selected  as one of the fastest kids in the nation and to be able to fly out to Seattle. I am hungry to go out and win this meet."

Highlanders Sophomore Going From Small School To Showtime

When Lake Highland Prep sophomore Deanna Hill found out she was headed to Seattle for the Brooks PR Invitational it pumped up her self esteem, but also made her a little nervous. Hill who has a personal best of 11.83 in the 100 and 23.83 in the 200 is looking forward to seeing the city as well as opening some eyes.

"My goals for this meet are to be able to medal and be able to be the underdog that does better than people think I will do. There is going to be a lot of good competition and just being invited is an honor. Shayla and Kali are very fast girls and they are going to be there to push me to my fastest limit, which motivates me to focus on what I need to do. Everyone there is going to be hard to beat and I hope that everyone does well."

Coach Ricky Argro's Take:

Argro is the personal coach of Whitfield and high school coach for Hill at Lake Highland. In addition to Argro, Hill is also coached by her father Harold Wise who has over nine years of sports personal training experience.

"This experience for both of them win or lose is a growing one to prepare them for the big stage. Kermit had his first last year at the Adidas Grand Prix so I'm anxious to see his growth. Deanna is so talented she's just scratching the surface of her talent. It should give her a good gauge of where she is at and what we need to work on the rest of the season. Athletically they are very similar. Both are very explosive and strong, very competitive and have strong work ethic. The fans should expect to see two great athletes compete hard and represent the state of Florida well as will all of the Florida athletes."

Athelte Profiles:

Super Sophomore Kendal Williams Ready To Shine

They say age is just a number and Stanton Prep sophomore Kendal Williams is a great example of that. Williams and Isaiah Brandt-Sims of Washington are the only two runners in the 60 meter dash from the class of 2014. His personal best time of 10.51 in the 100 meters is the fourth fastest time among entrants. Williams will go head to with Levonte Whitfield of Jones who is the top entrant. The two met twice in 2011 with Whitfield getting the better of Williams at both the Bob Hayes and Golden South Classic. He won the 3A state title in the 200 and finished second in the 100.

Coach Smith's Take:

"This should be an excellent experience for Kendal. He has already competed in the indoor meet in Gainesville this season, but this should be invaluable in getting him to be prepared for the meets for the rest of this season. The competition should be some of the best in the nation. Kendal is a gifted athlete who backs it up with hard work. He was a "work horse" for us last season, even though he was only a freshman. He often ran the 100m, 200m, anchored our 4 x 100 relay and did the long jump. I think the fans in Seattle will be surprised that a sophomore can run that fast! He was recently ranked in Sports Illustrated as the top 15 year old 200m runner in the world! That is a lot to live up to, but he can do it."

Kendal Williams Athlete Profile

Unleashing The Cobras: Boyd Anderson Trio

Bruce Barclay was often overshadowed by other South Florida hurdlers like Artie Burns, and standouts at Palm Beach Lakes, but not this year. Coach Damion Thomas told Barclay he was selected for the Brooks PR Invitational and the senior was more than excited, he was determined. Seeded seventh out of eight with a time of 14:00 didn't bother him one bit. He says he is ready for the challenge.

"On this trip I'm hoping to experience not only being first in the 60 meter hurdles, but also running a US#1. I don't know the other competition, but I'm not giving up a fight. I know they are great hurdlers, the best I suppose, but it's who wants it the most. I want to say thanks for this opportunity to run and represent Brooks PR. This race will put me on the right track and position me for the rest of the season."

Boyd Anderson senior Shayla Sanders lone run indoors this season was a US#1 clocking in the 55 meter dash of 6.85. The University of Florida bound star did it on the Gators home track and this weekend will compete amongst the nations best at the University of Washington. Although she is excited to see Seattle she says this trip is strictly business.

"From this meet I am hoping to take away a gold medal and a new record. Not only do I believe and have faith in myself, but the Lord does also. This is the second time I've run this race so my goal is to run 7.2 or lower. Knowing that I have competition in this race allows me to give it my all and run faster than I think I can."

Sanders will have stiff competition from runners Myasia Jacobs of New Jersey and Jennifer Madu of Plano, Texas, but one familiar face will also be on the line with her Sunday. Teammate Kali Davis-White is also running the 60 meters. Bruce Barclay will be competing in the 60 meter hurdles. She knows a race like the 60 meters can set the tone for the rest of the season. One that she hopes will be successful for herself and the Boyd Anderson program.

"If I can win or even break a record it shows that I have the first half of my race together. To have the three of us be invited to this event it shows the world, the community and others that Boyd Anderson High School is coming back up."
 

Kali Davis-White:

How did you find out you were selected? What were your initial thoughts?
 
I found out from my cousin because my mom was told by my coach and she told my cousin, so my cousin was like congrads on the trip I was like what trip and then she was like the Seattle meet I called my mom and was like what is my cousin talking about then that’s when she told me and then a week later my coach told me I believe. My initial thoughts was oh my gosh an eight hour plan ride, am I going to be ready, and last but not least I don’t want to mess up and let anyone down.
 
Have you ever been to the west coast? What are your emotions like going into this trip?
 
No sadly always wanted to now I received the opportunity to go. Very nervous but confident in my workouts I been doing to get me  need to be, and ready to compete also excited.
What are your hoping to take from this meet? GOals? Talk about the competition with Deanna HIll and Kali n this race as well? What does that say about the talent in Florida?
I’m hoping to take an amazing experience from this meet , hoping to come back and say I did it, also hoping to take home the knowledge of all the things I did right and or wrong and when next year same time same place comes around I would know what I’m getting into. My goal is to come back home with a metal, be in top 3, and run a nation ranked time possibly under 7.4.The competition with Deanna hill and Shayla sander will be great because I know when I step to that line they aren’t going to lay down and let me win with that being said I know I’m going to have to give 195% also they push me to run and I would like to wish them the best of luck because it could be anyone’s race Sunday! It says a lot about Florida talent it shows that Florida is not playing anymore and it’s time to put Florida back on the map for sprints. It kills me every time it’s a youth championship you see Cali or Texas or somewhere else besides Florida sprints up there and I think we all me Shayla and Deanna feel like enough is enough let’s bring some glory to first god because everything happens through HIM then bring glory to the state of Florida.
 
Also, you have Bruce in the hurdles? What that says about the BA program?
 
Yes we have Bruce in the hurdles from Boyd Anderson and I must say he is an amazing hurdler and he gives his all every day and he deserves to be invited because whatever he puts his mind to he try’s his hardest to make it happen. It says a lot about ba track and field program because we put in all this hard work, time and effort and it is showing through our times! Also it shows how dedicated our team, coach, and we are and I’m proud to be able to represent my team.
 
How can a race like this set the tone for the rest of your season?
 
It can set a major tone in a negative or positive way. If and when I do good it will let me know I’m ready for the upcoming year if I do ok then it lets me and my coaches know it’s something we need to work on and go back to the drawing board to help me become better.
 
Anything else you are looking forward to?
 
I’m looking forward to meeting the top athletes in the world and also I’m looking forward to see Seattle a place I never seen before.
 

Coach Damion Thomas' (Girls Coach) Take:

"It is going to be a great experience for them. To get the opportunity to travel across the country and compete at such an elite meet against elite athletes shows that all their hard work is really paying off. Shayla is a very hard working motivated athlete. She is the most dedicated athlete I have ever coached and is very driven to succeed. Kali is also a hard working individual. She is a very confident athlete and failing is not an option for her. Fans can expect the best from Shayla and Kali in Seattle this weekend. They are very excited and honored for the opportunity and are very anxious to compete. As for this year, they have set challenging goals for themselves and have been training consistently to accomplish those goals. Shayla wants to run 11.2 and 23.1. Kali is looking to run 11.4 and 23.5. I think once healthy they will both be able to attain those goals."

Athlete Profiles:

Chiles Star Competing On Another National Stage

Lily Williams was a part of numerous state championships as a distance runner for Chiles. In 2011, she was a Foot Locker National finalist. Now she can add an invite to the Brooks PR meet in Seattle to her impressive high school resume. The trip to the University of Washington is something Williams is familiar with. The senior visited the Huskies campus during the recruiting process. Unlike other runners competing in the mile Williams hasn't had the advantage of an indoor season.

"Right now I'm not quite sure what to expect.  Training has gone pretty well for the most part, but I haven't raced yet so it should be fun to race against some good competition."

The Vanderbilt commit has personal bests of 4:52.05 in the 1600 and 10:47.82 in the 3200. She says it is a huge honor to be selected and to see all her hard work finally pay off.

"I'm going to just enjoy getting out of Tallahassee for the weekend and being able to meet some new people and kick off the season. I'm also really looking forward to seeing some of my friends from Foot Locker again. I know Grace Tinkey and Sammy George from the south will both be there and I am sure I will meet some other awesome new people. The Dempsey is an awesome facility so I'm also looking forward to racing there."

Lily Williams Athlete Profile

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