Today's region track & field meets

By Joey Knight
Published April 26, 2007

Class 3A, Region 3

Where: Sarasota Booker

When: Field events, noon; running event finals, 7

Admission: $6

Local girls to watch: Wharton senior Teona Rodgers, whose neck likely will be adorned with more gold than Mr. T's by the end of next weekend. The defending state champion in the 100-meter hurdles, Rodgers owns the nation's fastest time in that event (13.35 seconds) and is a heavy favorite in three others (triple jump, 200, 4x100 relay).

Local boys to watch: District 9 champion Plant, winner of six events at last week's meet, again should make noise. Panthers junior Lovell Jackson, a qualifier in four events, is the favorite in the 100 meters after recording a 10.71-second effort at districts. Hillsborough's 4x800-meter relay team - Kendall Brown, Charles Gadsen, Mark Williams and John Foster - ran a blistering time (8:08.40) at districts.

Class 4A, Region 2

Where: Gaither

When: Field events, noon; running event finals, 7

Admission: $6

Local girls to watch: District 6 champion Gaither possesses arguably the county's most balanced team in this classification, but District 5 champ Sickles isn't far behind. Cowboys senior distance specialist Katie Quick, a district winner in three events (3,200, 1,600, 4x800 relay) could collect tons of points on her home track.

Local boys to watch: Riverview's Christ Luther won both hurdles events at the District 6 meet and leads a Sharks team loaded with speed. The distance races are Sickles' to lose. Sophomore Derek Wehunt won district titles in the two longest events, while senior teammate Sean Jansen won the 800 and ran on the Gryphons' winning 4x800 relay team.

Joey Knight, Times staff writer

[Last modified April 26, 2007, 00:21:49]