Inclement weather upended the FHSAA state track and field meet at Hodges Stadium on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville on Friday night.
It proved worth the wait for the Dillard girls, who captured the Class 3A girls title for the second consecutive year on Saturday, while the boys placed third behind Belen Jesuit Prep and Niceville.
Dillard coach Davidson Gill said the day’s postponement didn’t affect the plans too much.
“I spent a lot of time preparing the kids mentally and physically,” Gill said by phone. (On Friday), we went back to the hotel and we had salad and chicken. On Saturday morning, we had bagels before the meet. We do all kinds of preparations in case of adversity, and especially under those circumstances, because things can change in an instant.”
Dillard senior and UCF signee Alexia Reid led the charge by sweeping the hurdle events. She won the 100 meters in (13.70), and later took the 400 (59.59). She was undefeated this season in the 400 hurdles.
“I didn’t really feel much pressure feel much pressure,” Reid said by phone. “I usually put more pressure on myself to reach my goals, and that is really the only pressure I ever feel.”
“Honestly, it (the postponement) affected me a lot,” Reid added. “I just had to remember the reason why I was here, and I think that made me even more determined. One of the biggest things I have learned is to push through adversity. I was kind of shocked that I am a two-time (team) state champion and I won both of my individual events this year.”
In other top Broward finishes, Dillard’s 4×800 relay won first (9:09.92), as did the 4×100 (45.85), while the 4×400 relay was second (3:42.99).
Dillard junior Ariyanna Griggs (11.74) won a photo finish with Northeast senior Patchnalie Compere (11.75) and Miami Northwestern senior Tyra Cox (11.77) in the 100.
In the 200, Compere was second (23.60), while Griggs was right behind (23.90).
Somerset Academy senior Lauren Kirby successfully defended her shot put title with a throw of 13.81 meters.
Dillard eighth grader Shynah Collins had a solid showing in the distance events as she placed second in both the 1,600 (4:56.33) and the 800 (2:13.46).
Dillard junior Desiree Frazier was third in the 400 dash, clocking a 53.56.
Schwartz sets state javelin record in Class 2A girls meet
North Broward senior Alexa Schwartz set a new personal best and crushed the state javelin record in the Class 2A state meet on Friday.
Schwartz, an FSU signee, threw 154 feet, 4 inches (47.04 meters) in capturing the gold and besting the previous state record of three-time state champion Sonoma Kasica, now a University of Notre Dame freshman, by more than 7 feet. Pine Crest junior Elizabeth Sauby was second behind Schwartz (40.74).
“Aside from the obvious PR and back-to-back state championships, this one was really special to me,” said Schwartz by phone. “I haven’t performed exactly how I expected or wanted to this season, so to be able to have everything come together in the biggest meet, and my last high school meet, means so much to me.
“Getting the state record has been in my mind since the beginning of my junior year season, and being able to achieve it greatly closed out my track goals for high school,” she added. “I couldn’t be happier with my performance and am very proud of how far I’ve come.”
North Broward Prep’s girls finished sixth in the Class 2A state meet with 28.50 points, King’s Academy was 12th and Pompano Beach was 14th, just a half point back.
Glades Central freshman E’tesia Forbes made the most of her debut in the Class 2A meet as she sped to an 11.51 clocking to win the 100 meters, edging Montverde Academy sophomore Dasia Reed (11.52).
In other top local finishes, American Heritage-Delray senior Julia De Gruttola Aere finished second in the girls 400 hurdles in 1:01.70.
Calvary Christian Academy sophomore Kyara Belfort placed third (1:02.25) in the 400 hurdles, and the Pompano Beach girls 4×100 relay was third (47.32).
King’s Academy seniors Brielle George (1.62 meters, second place) and Jade Jones (1.52m, tie for fourth) also performed well.