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(Photos by Mike Leary/Tim O'Dowd)
BOYS WINNER: Ceolamar Ways - Junior @ Nease
Ceolamar Ways isn’t an over-night sensation. The Nease junior has been competing from an early age whether it was in the Young Achievers Track Club or various racing programs. Coach Dean Blue has known him over the years and says his maturity on and off the track has grown leaps and bounds.
“He has just shot up physically. His dad was a high jumper in high school. I think he cleared seven feet back in his day. Ceolamar was kidding about breaking his dad records and his dad told him to stick to the running events and let him have the trophy in the field events. He loves the weight room and we’re trying to get him stronger. We also want to work on his mechanic and on his diet. He does all these things well and is also a leader. He remains humble even though he has this God given ability.”
On the track, Ways is making a name for himself as well. At the UNF Spring Break Invitational he finished first in the 400, second in the 200, and fifth in both the long jump and triple jumps. The quarter-mile was a battle with Bartram Trail’s Nick Uruburu that went down to the wire with Ways edging him out 47.87 to 47.90. Coach Blue says he wasn’t sure what their plans would be for the Bolles Bulldog Classic, but when Ways wanted another crack at Uruburu and another chance to improve his time, it was game on, and the junior performed.
“He asked if we could do it again and we discussed strategies. I told him to not do too much too soon and once you get to 150 meters turn it on because he is also a great 200 meter runner and knows what to do. He didn’t panic like he did the first time they raced. I was very impressed. He’s a very intuitive young man who knows about racing strategy and how to approach things. We are looking forward to great things from him and he’s just a junior.”
The meet produced a series of personal bests for Ways; 10.86 in the 100, 47. 47.82 in the 400, and 22-03.00 in the long jump. Although he only won the quarter-mile the Nease junior has plenty to build on. He scored 26 of the teams 39 points. Blue has seen stellar times in time trials both in the 400 and even the 800. In the meantime, Coach says the pair will begin to focus on getting mentally and physically prepared for the 200-400 double when the state series rolls around.
“We’re concentrating on getting him stronger so he can take the workload. We’re doing higher volume speed workouts and speed endurance work. We’ve got to start our training for overload for prelims and finals so we can take that kind of volume. We’ll see what he can do at Bob Hayes. I think he’ll be about 20 seconds or high 20 by the end of the season in the 200 and our goal in the 400 is to get into the low 47’s or high 46’s. If we can do that I know then I know the sky is the limit.”
Ceolamar's Athlete Profile
GIRLS WINNER: Shelby Davidson - Senior @ Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach senior Shelby Davidson rounded out 2011 as the 2A Cross Country State Champion. She picked up where she left off performing well at the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Youth Meet before traveling to New York City where she ran against the best at New Balance Indoor Nationals. Davidson was the highest female finisher from the state of Florida placing ninth in the two mile in a personal best time of 10:40.03. Coach Ceal Walker was not in New York for the race, but says she watched it online, and thinks the senior ran a more relaxed and smarter race than she did at last year’s event.
“I think the second time running at NBIN is much easier than the first. Being familiar with the track and the meet atmosphere lets the runner focus more on the racing aspect. She was assertive and led for a while. One thing we will work on the rest of the season is having more strength in the end of the race to kick.”
During the week Davidson ramps up the intensity by training with the boys where she does most of her interval work. The training program is geared for peak performance at the state meet the last weekend in April. One thing the senior would love to get her hands on is another state championship. Davidson finished second in the 3200, and was fourth in both the 1600 and 4x800 meter relay. Walker says her season is going great so far and she is progressing toward her goal of winning state in the 3200.
“Shelby is extremely motivated, a hard worker, and very focused. She has some pretty competitive meets in the next couple of weeks to help her prepare for the competition at state. The weight is off her shoulders about where she is going to run next year, so she can keep that focus on state. I think she is well on her way of achieving her goals.”