- November 25, 2024
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In a way, it’s like déjà vu for Flagler Palm Coast track-and-field coach Dave Halliday. But at the same time, it’s very different.
Much like last season, hurdler Kadeem Williams and a relay team are headed to the Class 4A finals.
This year, however, it’s two relay teams, and neither of them qualified last year: the boys 4x400-meter relay and the boys 4x800 relay both will be competing Saturday for a shot at a state championship.
Colton Boyd also advanced to states after taking second in the region in the pole vault.
Halliday said last season was all about rebuilding. This year’s team, which features a crop of experienced and talented seniors, is primed to make some noise at states.
“This group was a really big group of freshman four years ago, so it looked back then like that would be solid,” Halliday said Monday after practice, as some of the athletes stuck around to toss Styrofoam discs in the training room. “They like to have fun, but this is a good team.”
Williams, one year later
Williams advanced to the state meet last year in the 300-meter hurdles after finishing second at the regional championships, finishing in 38.30 seconds. He finished sixth at the state meet, although finishers second through sixth were all very close.
This year, he took first in the region, finishing in 37.89 seconds in the preliminaries and then running the finals in 38.16.
“This year, I’m shooting for a low 36 (seconds),” Williams said Monday, just moments after icing down his legs after practice. “I know I can get faster, but it’s just me having to push it at the meet.”
The best way to shave time off his race, Williams said, is to limit the amount of time he’s in the air.
“You have to be able to get down on the ground faster,” he said. “Once you get down, you have to be aggressive getting to the next hurdle.”
4x400 relay: No. 2 in Class 4A
Williams, Eric Mejias, Andrew Folk and Eddie Mutungu have one goal at Saturday’s state meet: reclaim their No. 1 Class 4A ranking in the 4x400-meter relay. Doing so would mean they won the state championship, a goal the four seniors have had since they were freshmen.
“We haven’t run our best team race yet, but we’re good,” said Mutungo, adding that the 4x400-meter relay garners the most attention since it’s the final event of a meet. “Everybody is watching.”
Mejias agreed, adding: “We have never had a relay (this year) where everyone ran their best split.”
Eyes will be set on FPC’s 4x400 relay team, especially since it’s only about a second off from No. 1-ranked Dr. Phillips.
Mejias will run in both the 4x400 relay and the 4x800 relay. But since they bookend the meet, he expects to have plenty of energy. Folk will only run the 4x800.
“I didn’t buy a class ring, so I want a state ring,” Mutungo added.
Boyd, 4x800 relay look to make noise
Colton Boyd won the district in the pole vault and then took second in the region at last week’s meet, finishing with 13 feet, 6 inches in the finals.
Halliday expects Boyd to make a run and place at the state meet.
The 4x800-meter relay team, which features seniors Mejias, Williams, Brad Walbert and freshman Kadeem Wynn qualified for the state meet after finishing third in the region. Although they aren’t as favored as the other relay team, Halliday expects them to make a run for team points, too.
Walbert said he wants to get a state championship for his relay team, and his track team.
“We want to put FPC back on the map,” Walbert said, referring to past state championship teams. “And (coach) Halliday really deserves it since he hasn’t had a ring in a while.”
And even though his star runners goof around, Halliday knows they’ll be focused come Saturday, as they eye a state championship.
“It’s certainly on our mind,” he said. “But all we can do is take care of ourselves and max out the points on hand.”
The Class 4A state meet will be Saturday, May 4, at the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville.
First-time qualifier
Matanzas senior Alexis Wells has qualified for the Class 3A in the triple jump. This is her first time qualifying for the state meet. She finished second in the regional championships.
Coaches Bob Wolfe and Perm Eubanks primarily coach Wells.
"Alexis just needs to take the same approach to (states) as she has for every other meet," Matanzas coach James Wolfe said. "If she performs the way she is capable of, she will have a very good chance at the podium."
The Class 3A meet will be Friday, May 3, at the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville.
