Despite the uncooperative weather, the FSU Relays was a resounding success. The thrilling races and awe-inspiring performances by area athletes proved that the Big Bend still shines even when the sun does not.

Chiles jack of all trades, Brandon Bassett, placed third in the high jump, behind Leon’s Marcus Walker, first in the pole vault, and third in the long jump. Maclay freshman, Lee Williams, won the triple jump in a school record of 44-04.25. Devin Screen, of Godby, won the discus with a throw of 150-07. Chiles thrower, Stargell Williams, placed second in the shot put with a throw of 43-02.00.

On the girls’ side of the field events, the results were also impressive. Dorian Corbett, of Florida High, placed third in the high jump (5-00.00), while her teammate, Aeisha Samaila placed second in the long jump (17-02.50).

In the sprints, local athletes defended their home turf… er track, that is. Ena Johnson, of Florida High, placed third in the girls’ 100m dash, with a time of 12.38 seconds. Lavorrie Johnson, of Godby, placed second in the boys’ 100m dash, with a time of 10.99 seconds. Elizabeth Ichite, a Florida High runner, won the girls’ 400m dash with a time of 57.86 seconds. Lincoln runners, Pat Olschlager and Jabriel Giddins finished first and second respectively in the boys’ 400m dash with times of 49.82 seconds and 50.85 seconds. Ena Johnson came back from her third place in the 100m dash to take second in the 300m hurdles, with a time of 44.83 seconds. Lincoln’s boys took third place in the 4x100m relay, with a time of 43.43.

Moving on to the distance events, the Tallahassee representation grows even stronger. Maclay eighth grader, Stefanie Kurgatt, won the 800m run with a time of 2:18.76. Billy Naylor, of Wewahitchka, was the first semi-local finisher in the boys’ 800m (he finished fourth with a time of 1:56.90). Kaia Hampton, of Chiles, finished second in the girls’ 1600m run, with a time of 5:19.78. Maclay runner, Patrick Swain, was the first local finisher in the boys’ 1600m run, finishing eighth with a time of 4:35.39. The previous night, Swain had finished eleventh (9:41) in one of the most competitive 3200m runs ever to take place in the state of Florida. In that same race, Leon’s Matt Mizereck (9:09.24) and Will Stanford (9:15.58) finished second and sixth respectively. A total of six finishers in the boys’ 3200m run were under 9:20! In the girls’ 3200m run, Maclay’s Jana Stolting won with a time of 11:02.90, followed by Chiles runners, Lily Williams (second with a time of 11:08.50) and Kaia Hampton (third with a time of 11:22.79).

With the passage of the FSU Relays, Florida’s youthful harriers are beginning to look into the not-too-distant future of the post season. Before we get too lost in dreams of State-winning glory, however, we must look even closer, to the Tallahassee City Championships Meet. On April 7, we will once again gather at Mike Long Track, eager to spend some time with the same lactic acid that kept us company at the FSU Relays. Maybe this time it will let us go just a little bit faster before locking us up in its fiery torture chamber of oxygen debt. If not, at least we will provide some entertainment for the slightly sadistic crowd, and that is certainly better than nothing.