Ka’Deem Wynn | Writer

Fast times ruled the day as the 2015 Pepsi Florida Relays was kicked on a high note on the campus of the University of Florida. As the regular season is coming to a close, high schools from across the state, and some out of state, came out and showed why some of them are the best in the state.

Take a look at some of the action that you missed.

100-Meters Dash Prelims

Maybe a bit of a surprise not seeing more of the girls from Miami Northwestern advancing from the prelims but the girls final is still stacked. Leading the charge going into the finals is First Academy senior Tehna Daniels, who won her prelim with a time of 11.82. Current defending 1A state champion in 100 and 200-meter dash, Daniels proved why she’s the best by pulling away from her competition. Winning the 100-meter dash prelims and finals at Texas Relays last week, Daniels looks to keep her winning streak this season going for a while.

The boys side was deep as well, with many close finishes, making it a very close battle to qualify. With all of the boys going sub-11 seconds, things really got tight as places five through seven ran 10.94, and places eight and nine ran 10.97. Leading the charge was Charlotte unsigned senior Devin Quinn. Another undefeated speedster this season, Quinn got out and took the top spot when he ran 10.67 in the prelims. In the mix as well were Dr. Phillips’ Alvin Bryant, and Mainland High School’s Adrian Killins running 10.76 and 10.87 respectively.

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100/110-Meters Hurdles Prelims

Another showcase of great speed and coordination. Michelle Atherly of Port Charlotte took the win in her prelim with a time of 13.83, with Ashley Miller of East Ridge close behind with 13.93. Alahni Wood of Dr. Phillips and Ayanna O’Neal of Cincinnati Withrow cut it close, with Wood running 14.62 and O’Neal running 14.64.

The boys hurdles are always a great event to watch and this is why. Hallandale’s Antwaun Musgrove took over the event, running 14.13 in his prelim. Close behind him was sophomore Damion Thomas of Northeast (OP), who ran 14.14 respectively. With a large field, familiar names like Trevon Grimes of St. Thomas Aquinas and Miami Northwestern freshman Thomas Burns were among those who qualified.

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800 Meters

It’s always good to see high school athletes run fast and win their races. But how about a freshman taking it over and running the US number #3 800? Caitlyn Collier of Bolles High School got out once the race started, and simply kept going, so much as to run 2:10.11.

Much can be expected from her in the future. All of the top five girls ran under 2:20. Talk about moving.

If you were there, you’d think you had deja vu. as Javon Patterson of Boyd Anderson, Kyren Hollis of Olympia went at it again muck like they in the boys 800 at the 2014 Florida Relays. The two battled it out once again as Hollis took it out and gamely tried to hold on, but Patterson had a little extra push and strength to get the win in a Florida Relays Meet Record and FL #1 1:52.49, with Hollis at 1:52.82. However, thrown into the mix and kicking from behind was Flagler Palm Coast junior  Justin Pacifico.

Starting to be known across the state, Pacifico for a moment held the title of US #1 in the 800 a few weeks ago after his performance at the Brian Jaeger Elite Classic. With the kick that he has, it’s going to be a real battle between him and Hollis, as they’ll see each other again at the region and probably state meet.

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1600 Meters

“The guys have been running fast, so why shouldn’t we?”

Probably the thought of some girls as Kelly Aponte of St. Augustine charged forward to get the win in 5:07.02. Estero’s Megan Giovanniello and Marist freshman Josie Wirtz were second and third, running 5:10.04 and 5:12.76 respectively. All of the top ten finishes by the girls, some in different heats, were under 5:20.

The boys race was on, and it was fast. It was only a question of who would take home the win? Leading the charge for a while was Pembroke Pines Charter senior Tomas Gimenez-Beron, but Lake Mary’s John Lyons narrowly got the win in 4:24.36. Tomas got second, running 4:24.85. Anthony Ramcharran of Douglas was also in the mix, running 4:25.87, placing third.

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3200 Meters

Two girls broke the 11-minute barrier. Evengelical Christian Sarah Candiano and Mount Dora Bible's Rebecca Clark ran their race to the end. Candiano ran 10:52.17, and Clark ran 10:52.35. The rest of the field had great efforts, with everyone having close finishes.

“It’s Nick Diaz! Oh wait, it’s Josh Jacques! Nevermind, Diaz is dropping him! Wait, who’s that with Diaz? Oh shoot, he’s moving past Diaz! He’s still going! Who is that guy?!”

Most of us remember saying some of those things during the 3200 meters. University of Florida signee Nick Diaz was putting on a show for his future home crowd, taking command and leading the race. With about 800 to go, Lyman junior Josh Jacques makes a move, but fell back. As Diaz regained control with 400 to go, Port Charlotte senior Tyler Fisher kicks into the spotlight.

With a little less than 300 to go, Fisher kicks it into another gear and drive to get the win in 9:16.63. Jacques hunts down Diaz and gets him a little before the line, running 9:22.05. Noah Perkins of Seffner Christian gets Diaz before the line as well, with the two finishing in 9:23.97 and 9:25.24.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

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Pole Vault

David Bell of Bishop Kenny cleared a height of 15-06.00. Behind him was Lyman junior Sean Clarke, who cleared 15-00.00                                        
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High Jump

Ponte Vedra senior and North Carolina signee Nicole Greene continues her jump to the top, as she cleared a height of 5-10.00. Behind her was Edgewater senior Clarissa Cutliff, who cleared 5-08.00.

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Long Jump

Darlene Charles of Golden Gate jumped 19-05.75. Ebony Luster of Lake Mary jumped 19-00.00.

Tyler Bryd of Naples jumped 23-05.00, setting the US number four and Florida number one, Jonah Daniels of Episcopal jumped 23-01.75, and Jareal Hamilton of Lake Weir jumped 22-10.75.

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Shot Put

Aaron Hanna of Miami Central became the state leader when he threw the shot put the winning distance of 57-10.00.

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Discus

Camora Sanders of  Northeast (OP) threw the discus a distance of 136-06 to get the win.
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Keep checking back for more updates, more videos, and more coverage of the 2015 Pepsi Florida Relays!