Robin Reynolds, a senior from
Jackson (Miami), achieved her dream on Saturday at the University of North Florida when she became the biggest winner in Florida girls track and field history.
The University of Florida signee won the Class 2A 100-meter dash (11.79 seconds), the 400 (52.59) and the long jump with a state-record and 2012 national-best leap of 20 feet, 6 1/4 inches. The previous state record had stood since 1991 and was set in Class 5A.
Robin Reynolds, Jackson High
Photo courtesy of Carl Cunningham
Those three victories gave the superstar a state-record 14 championships during her brilliant four-year career. The previous record of 13 was established over a six-year period by Julian Reynolds of North Palm Beach.
She had wanted to win all of her events, but was nipped by an eyelash in the 200-meter. Sabria Hadley of
Lake Wales was timed in 24.086, while Jackson's time was 24.088.
Reynolds told the Miami Herald, "I came here with one goal - a sweep. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. But I came out with the most medals ever. I feel truly blessed that I could come out and accomplish my main goal. I was doubted by a lot of people this year, but it was my biggest motivation. They encouraged me to work harder in practice and better myself."
In the boys 2A meet, Levonte Whitfield of
Jones (Orlando, Fla.) won the 100 in 10.49 - despite facing a strong headwind - and he also won the 200 in 20.96, which is the fastest junior time in the nation this year.
Whitfield's team placed second for the third year in a row due to a freak incident.
American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) nipped Jones by three points because hurdler Walter Tucker was given a second chance. He fell in the original 110-meter hurdles race, but officials ruled that the hurdles were not set up correctly and the race was re-run with Tucker winning 10 points for first place.
In the Class 1A girls state meet, junior Abby Hani of
Lake Mary Prep won the 200 in 25.26, the 400 in a meet-record 54.90 and the long jump with a distance of 18-7 1/2, while also placing second in the 100 (12.6). She had chest pains following the 400 and almost passed up the 200. However, she received medical help and 35 minutes later she overcame wobbly legs at the start to win the 200 with a late kick.
* During the Texas Class 5A region meet in Lubbock, Aldrich Bailey of
Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas) won the 400 in 45.19, which is the sixth-fastest time ever by a high school runner. The national record is 44.69 by Darrell Robinson in 1982. It was, however, a Texas state record and the fastest time in the last 17 years. The Texas A&M signee also had a 44.8 anchor leg on the 4x400 relay, which had a national season-best time of 3:12.71. See video below.
Sam Mattis
Photo courtesy of Penn University
* Sean Keller of
Heritage (Vancouver, Wash.) threw the javelin 244 feet, 1 inch - No. 2 all-time - during the Centennial Invitational in Gresham, Ore. He barely missed Sam Crouser's national record of 255-4.
* Sam Mattis of
East Brunswick (N.J.) and Edward Cheserek of
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) won special honors at the 118th Penn Relays. Mattis, who threw the discus a national-best 211-11, was named Outstanding Individual Event Athlete of the Meet. Cheserek was named Outstanding Relay Athlete of the Meet after bringing his distance medley relay team from ninth place to a championship (10:07.76) with a sizzling 4:06.2 anchor.
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