State track

By BOB PUTNAM
Published May 4, 2006

ADMISSION: $8.

FORMAT: Field events start at 1 p.m., running finals at 7. Trophies go to the team champion and runnerup. Medallions are awarded to the top eight individuals and relay teams.

WHERE: Showalter Field, Winter Park

DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 275 to Interstate 4; exit at Fairbanks and travel east. Follow through Winter Park (road name changes to Aloma) to light at Lakemont Ave. Turn right on Lakemont, pass Winter Park Hospital and turn left at next light (Mizell Ave.) Turn right on Perth (just past parking lot for the Wellness Center). Follow Perth through Ward Park to Showalter parking lot at the far end on the right.

CLASS 3A

WHEN: Friday

COUNTY ENTRIES: BOYS - Boca Ciega: Jamar Newsome (long jump, triple jump), Andre LeShore (long jump, triple jump), 4x400; Dixie Hollins: Chris Harrington (high jump); Gibbs: Quentin Mack (110 hurdles); Lakewood: 4x100; Northeast: Jonathan Mott (800); Osceola: Bryce Williams (shot put); Seminole - Aaron Thomas (1,600, 3,200), Tony Nicolosi (3,200); GIRLS - Boca Ciega: Alexandria Kincy (triple jump), 4x100, 4x400; Clearwater: Amy Kolba (shot put); Dunedin: Khadija Charleston (long jump); Gibbs: Ivori Reed (100 hurdles), Lindsey Moore (300 hurdles), 4x800; Lakewood: Jazmyn Shorter (200, 400); Northeast: Amanda Crane (pole vault); Seminole: Janita Truitt (100, long jump, triple jump), Heather Nicolosi (3,200), Leah Hatfield (100 hurdles), Allison Salas (high jump); Tarpon Springs: Sarah Long (100, 200), Kailand Cosgrove (1,600), 4x100

OUTLOOK: Boca Ciega's Neidra Covington, the prohibitive favorite in the long and triple jumps, will miss the meet after pulling her hamstring at regionals. That puts the spotlight on Lakewood's Jazmyn Shorter (400, 200) and the Pirates' Alexandria Kincy, who both have a shot at winning titles. Seminole's Janita Truitt also could do well in the long jump. For the boys, Boca Ciega's Jamar Newsome and Andre LeShore will battle each other in the long and triple jumps.

CLASS 4A

WHEN: Saturday

COUNTY ENTRIES: BOYS - Countryside: Ray Coleman (100, 200, long jump), Ryan Messmore (400), Ian Evans (shot put, discus), 4x400, 4x800; East Lake: Wyeth Whitehurst (pole vault); Largo - Antonio DeArmas (800, 1,600); Palm Harbor University: Matt Brown (300 hurdles); Pinellas Park: Dominic Bell (400), 4x100; St. Petersburg: Durand Kent (100), Zachary Hall (pole vault), 4x100. GIRLS - Countryside: Kylie Kastes (800); East Lake: Leah Fisher (long jump); Palm Harbor University: Madison McNary (100), Sarah Wilkerson (3,200), 4x100; Pinellas Park - Jalisa Foster (high jump); St. Petersburg - Kerry Allen (1,600, 3,200), Christine Saylor (pole vault).

OUTLOOK: Countryside's boys ended their unbeaten streak, finishing second at last week's region meet. Now the focus turns to medaling in as many events as possible. St. Petersburg's Kerry Allen will close out her career, running in the 1,600 and 3,200. Pinellas Park's Jalisa Foster is seeded second in the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches).

[Last modified May 4, 2006, 01:00:07]