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Knight doesn't miss state this time

BROOKSVILLE -- Emily Ollivier missed qualifying for state in the shot put by one place last season after mononucleosis and shoulder surgery robbed her of much of her strength.

Earlier this year, the River Ridge senior was in a car accident. Her head hit the windshield, and she was airlifted to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a concussion.

Friday, with scars still visible along her arms and head, Ollivier won the girls shot put to advance to state for the first time.

"She was all smiles," River Ridge coach David Heywood said. "She's not the jump-around, excitable type."

Heywood said Ollivier was nervous but settled down after reaching 38 feet, 2 inches on her second throw. The distance was eight inches short of her personal best but held up as the winning throw.

"She looked real strong," Heywood said.

Ollivier placed 12th in the discus at 92-1.

Tampa Bay Tech won the team championship with 74.33 points. Ridgewood was eighth with 34.

Boca Ciega edged Blake 51-50 for the boys title. Mitchell, behind Jeff Masterson's victory in the 1,600 meters, was 16th with 17 points.

Central's Kurt Lee broke his own school record in the pole vault by clearing 13 feet. Lee, whose previous best was 12-1 at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference meet, placed fourth to qualify for state for the first time.

"It'd been a hope of mine," Lee said, "but I never thought a reality."

River Ridge's John Gilmore (100), Central's Joey Costanzo (800) and Tiffany Mobley (long jump), Ridgewood's Mike Selfe (high jump), Adamm Oliver (shot put), Elizabeth Sheridan (3,200), Jennifer Hayes (100 hurdles) and Michelle Cotharin (high jump) and Mitchell's Jenn Cooper (300 hurdles) also advanced by placing among the top four in their events.

Springstead's boys 4x100 relay team of Jamar Maner, Tommy Walker, Darnell Adams and Dan Webb was disqualified after Maner didn't report for the 100, eliminating him from competition the rest of the meet.

Eagles coach Fred Hudson said Maner, a sophomore who was considering opting out of the 100 to conserve his energy for the 200, was at the starting line but didn't get in the blocks.

"This is a good learning experience," Hudson said. "Now you know you've got to do what you've got to do in these meets."

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