- November 23, 2024
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Mainland and Seabreeze high schools' track teams competed in the Class 3A-Region 1 track and field regional state qualifier Saturday, May 1, at Orange Park High School in Orange Park.
Mainland had a total of 23 athletes participate. Head coach Terrance Anthony thought 10-12 had a chance to make it through to the state championship but on the day of the meet, some of his runners suffered injuries.
Buccaneer Cydney Wright placed first in the 100 and 200 meter dash with times of 11:69 and 23:46 respectively, qualifying her in the top seed for the championship in both events. Due to a timing equipment malfunction, Wright was forced to run the 100 meter dash twice but the results remained unchanged. Currently, Wright is ranked fourth in the 100 meter dash and second in the 200 meter dash in Florida.
Along with Wright, shot putter Isaiah Gordon will also be going to states. He placed third at regionals with a 15.03-meter throw, which qualifies him sixth going into the championship.
Ella Chandler will be representing Seabreeze in the 800-meter run at the championship. Chandler qualified with a 2:14.81 placing her second in the upcoming meet. Fellow Sandcrab Tyler Smith qualified in the javelin throw with a distance of 46.62. Smith picked up the javelin two months ago.
"During track practice, Tyler asked if he could try it," volunteer assistant coach Matt Coleman said. "I told him, 'Sure.' He picked up the javelin and threw it. I couldn't believe it. I told him there's no going back. Now you have to practice throwing."
Both teams had many standout athletes competing during regionals. Buccaneer Theodore Lockley ran eighth in the highly competitive 100-meter dash with a time of 11.06 while running in multiple events. Sandcrab Kimberly Collins, while participating in the pole vault, long jump and triple jump, placed sixth in the high jump with a 4'9.75".
Wright, Gordon, Chandler and Smith travel to University of North Florida for the track and field state championship on Friday, May 7.