Former Florida Standouts Look To Bring Home JUCO National Titles

Todd Grasley

A year after competing in the Sunshine State, Pine Forest alum Darroneshia Lott and Wekiva alum Jovan Davis are representing host South Plains College in Texas at the NJCAAA Nationals.



In her junior and senior years at Pine Forest , Lott  won a state title in the 800, finished second in the 1600, and was the anchor leg on the schools' winning 4x800 meter relay team. Lott is registered in the 800, 1500, 5000, and 4x800 meter relay. Lott is seeded second in the 800 with a time of 2:08.61. Her 1500 meter personal best of 4:32.49 which she won the prestigious Texas Relays with this year is nearly four seconds faster than her teammate and nearest competitor Natoya Goule.

South Plains also has sophomore thrower Jessica Ramsey of Boynton Beach on their roster. Ramsey is the number two seed in the women's shot put. The Texans will add another Florida standout to their squad when Evans sprinter Atarah Clark heads to the Lonestar State next season.



On the boys side, Jovan Davis didn't have the same success as Lott did to end his senior season. Davis was injured and unable to compete in states. He also chose the junior college route and ended up at powerhouse South Plains.  Davis is entered in the 110, 400m hurdles, and long jump. His best chance to win gold is in the 400 hurdles. Davis currently ranks as the second fastest in that event with a seed time of 51.32 and has a good lane  in lane five coming out of the second heat. Elhadji Mbow of Essex CC is the only one faster with a time of 50.75. He has a chance to medal in the 110 hurdles, but it will tough to get the title with three men under 14 seconds including Demetrius Lindo who was one of the best hurdlers in the nation last year as a high school senior. He comes in with the best time of 13.72.

South Plains which is located in Levelland, Texas has swept both the men's and women's team titles the last three years.

* Other Florida standouts competing include Sophomore Stargell Williams (Chiles) who will compete in the throws.  He is the number two seed in the shot put. Freshman Devin Screen (Godby) is the No. 3 seed in the discus. Screen won the 2A state championship in the discus as a senior. Both will be competing for Coffeyville Community College.


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