The AAU Club National Championships kicked off in sunny Orlando, Florida. Denise Spann takes a look at the first several days of competition.
The AAU Club National Championships kicked off in sunny Orlando, Florida. Denise Spann takes a look at the first several days of competition.
As an athlete only in the 8th grade, Daishon Spann has multiple national championships not only in the 800m, but the 400m as well. This lady is an all around athlete and competes in the 100mh, high jump, 200m, 400m and the 800m. She also competes in a few multi events during the summer.
Boyd Anderson senior Javon Patterson makes his college announcement picking Kansas State University. Denise Spann takes us inside the decision.
One of the state's top multi event athletes Michelle Atherley of Port Charlotte has signed with Auburn University. Denise Spann takes us inside the decision.
With the second National Signing Day period days away, Boyd Anderson senior Denise Spann gives us an inside look at her decision to run for Michigan State University.
There are some races that you can never imagine yourself running even if it helps you become a better athlete. I'm pretty sure that's how a 400m/800m runner feels when they are asked to run cross country and it's definitely how I feel when my coach tells me I have to run the 800m.
The Westminster Academy boys pulled out a close win last year at the 1A state finals over First Academy. It was WA's first boys' state win since 2008. Denise Spann goes All Access with the Lions!
t was a record breaking day at the 5th Annual Walter Dix Invitational Relays. The top finishing girls teams for the day were, Northeast winning with 97 points, Dillard in 2nd with 79 points, and Ely in 3rd with 72 points.
Every athlete has their bad days. There is no way to really avoid them either.
This year's Hallandale Invitational was one for the books as some the nation fastest athletes attended. For a meet that's been held seven years in a row, it seems like the competition gets better and better and there is never a dull moment.
Track season is literally a few weeks away and I honestly can't believe that it's my senior season. There have been many days where I didn't think I'd make it to where I am now. If you were going to tell me when I was a freshman that I would break both of my ankles and lose sophomore eligibility, but still be able to be sign to Michigan State (a Division I university and top 25 preseason college team), and have one last season to put myself out on the track for the world to see… I wouldn't believe it.
As the outdoor season is approaching many people may be wondering where this year's seniors are going to spend the next four years for their athletic careers. In South Florida a few of the nation's top track athletes got to sign early in the November period to some of the best schools in the country.
Cross Country season is in full swing and that means more mileage and ice bath galore. 32 days and countingis all that we have left until cross country athletes and fans alike make the trip up to Tallahassee to see who will reign for the next year. This cross country season, I thought I would introduce you to those who are making an impressive charge towards the state meet, athletes that are Under the Radar. This senior has definitely had her fair share of injuries, but has shown her strength by getting through every last one. Amanda Baker of Westminster Academy will be leading the Lady Lions throughout this cross country season.
Denise Spann catches up with three of South Florida's top runners: Kendal Ellis, Andre Ewers, and Javon Patterson, to talk about a variety of subjects!
As the summer track season is coming to a close there's only one meet left, the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. One of Florida's very own is going to make the trip all the way across the world to compete for his country. Andrew James, a recent Cardinal Gibbons transfer will be running the 400m and representing the USA at this prestigious meet.
Running the 400m in a competitive state like Florida, where there are so many talented girls in the event makes it hard to shine when it comes to the high school season as well as the summer circuit. Ladies like Kendall Ellis, Sharrika Barnett and Gabrielle Gayles are just a few 400m standouts. Last week at the AAU Club Championships three ladies represented the Sunshine State very well, bringing back some very fast times that look promising going into the next season.
To become a great track athlete you really have to get a head start. It's hard to start in high school. I'm not saying it can’t be done, but by getting multiple years to learn the ropes as well as get to know your competition it really helps create a great all around athlete. To have a range from the 100mh - 1500m is something you don’t see often especially if you’re actually good. Most athletes like this go into the multi events and try their luck there. This young lady has not only tried the multi-event circuit and the hurdles for the first time this year, not to mention she is a multiple time AAU Club National Champion. Daishon Spann runs hard on the track locally and nationally and I am proud to call her my sister.
As we wind down the 2014 outdoor track and field season, it is fitting to close out this year’s ‘Under the Radar’ series with someone very deserving. In Florida we’re known for our huge amount of sprinters. Being that there are so many, some great athletes get lost in the crowd behind athletes such as Kendall Williams, Andre Ewers, and Michael Timpson Jr. Now that most of these high class sprinters have graduated, the seniors of 2015 are taking over, and one of those sprinters to watch out for is Isaiah Taylor. Taylor has been rising on the track and field ladder this past year, but very few know of him even though he placed 4th in the 4A state meet this year in the 100m and has a personal best of 10.48.
This past weekend Javon Patterson went down to Jamaica for the 2014 JAAA National Junior Championship to compete in the 800m. Patterson was coming in with the 3rd fastest time out of all 14 boys registered to run. During the two days of competition, they decided to cancel the prelims of the 800m and made it a time final to be run on day two. It was then apparent that the boys in the U20 division were going to be running in 2 sections; Patterson was not in the fast section to everyone’s surprise.
Last year, Andrew James had an amazing opening high school season going undefeated in the 400m and winning the state title. He then made his move to the summer circuit and blew peoples’ minds. Going into last year’s World Youth Trials he was definitely underestimated, as he wasn’t on the prospect list till right before the trials in Edwardsville, Illinois. Andrew made it back to the finals in the 400m, placing 7th running 49.25. World Youth had been the biggest national high school stage he had ever been on, but it was evident going into the season that James had a new drive, and a whole new feel for the sport.
Javon Patterson has had a very successful season especially in the 800m. He ran on some big stages such as Florida Relays, Disney High School Track and Field Showcase, Louie Bing, and Golden South. He posted his fastest time of the season at Florida Relays when he ran 1:52.04. Many thought it was a fluke, but each time after that in different race situations and against different athletes Patterson showed up and showed out.
The road traveled isn't always perfect. For Westminster Academy junior Denise Spann her high school track career has had its ups and downs; from switching schools to battling the injury bug. Spann talks about her road to redemption and being back in the right place as she prepares for the state meet.
Wednesday was our last varsity track workout of the year before state. As practice came to an end, I just remembered how the year started. We were all optimistic and anxious for the season to begin. Getting our two new transfers from Calvary Christian, the girls knew that we were going to be contending this year. As for the guys, they came so close last year to winning, and made the changes needed to be in that first place podium spot.
Calvary Christian (Ft. Lauderdale) senior Tayler McDuffie is a huge asset to their success as she is one of the top throwers in 2A right now. Last year she placed sixth in the shot put in the 1A State Finals with a throw of 37"0'. Since then she’s increased her personal best by five feet. McDuffie, a University of Central Florida signee is the 2A District 15 shot put winner, and Region 4 runner-up, and is projected to finish second at the 2A state meet.
On Thursday, 1A Region 4 meet was held, and it sure was a night to remember for many. The day started off late due to a rain delay, so the 4x800m relay popped off at about 2:30. The winner of the relay was one of the major distance powerhouses, Westminster Christian running 10:08.65 finishing in 2nd was South Florida HEAT running 10:19.35.
Westminster Academy senior Brandon Bejarano's times are dropping tremendously as the state meet is approaching. Recently heposted a time of 4:24 in the mile, nearly a seven second personal best and has an 800m PR of 1:57.79. He shows his versatility by being a pivotal leg on WA’s 4x400m. Brandon also runs the 2000m steeplechase, taking 3rd in the USATF World Youth Trials last summer running 6:24.09. Denise Spann caught up with Bejarano before the 1A Regional 4 Championship to talk about the 2014 season.
Andre Ewers is a senior at Piper High School, who is definitely making his mark in South Florida. His first years of high school track were a little shaky, as his freshman year he came into the season in the middle of January, and his sophomore season he was having a little trouble with grades. Ewers’ junior year was basically his first year truly experiencing everything high school track has to offer. When running in his respective events he was lost in the shadows of the seniors, struggling to fine his best way to shine.
Sergeneno Rankin is a senior at South Plantation High School. Last season, he posted finished 9th at the 4A state meet in the 800 meters. This year, he set a personal best of 1:57.00 at the BCAA Championships and is also a member of the schools' 4x400 as well as the 4x800. This summer with the Plantation Heat Track Club, he ran a personal best of 49.45 in the open 400 meters. Denise Spann caught up with him as we head into the state series.