Robin Reynolds is firmly entrenched inFlorida track and field history.
Photo by Carl Cunningham
junior Robin Reynolds has set the stage to become the greatest track performer in Florida history by winning four gold medals during last week's Class 3A state meet in Winter Park (Fla.).
Reynolds swept the girls 100-meter dash in 11.67 seconds, the 200 in 23.95, the 400 in 53.91 – which leads the nation this year – and the long jump with a personal-record leap of 19 feet, 11 inches.
That gives her 11 individual gold-medal finishes in three years. The all-time Florida record is 13, which was set by Julian Reynolds of North Palm Beach Benjamin over a six-year period.
ARMAN HALL STARS BEFORE INJURY
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) senior Arman Hall won the 400 in a nation-leading 46.22 during Florida's Class 4A boys state track meet. In a great duel, Hall nipped
Northwestern (Miami) star Hugh Graham Jr., who was clocked in 46.72.
Unfortunately, Hall had to pass up the 200 due to a hamstring injury. Still, St. Thomas Aquinas was able to become the first boys track team to win four consecutive state titles in the large-school class.
Boone (Orlando, Fla.) junior football star Marvin Bracy set a state record by running the 100 in 10.31 during the preliminaries.
Coral Springs (Fla.) senior Demornie Lodge won the long jump with a personal-record leap of 24-1 ¼, which also bested the school record held by Olympian Walter Dix.
Northwestern standout Artie Burns won the 110 hurdles in a national sophomore-record 13.63.
In the Class 4A girls meet,
West Orange (Winter Garden, Fla.) junior DerRenae Freeman won the long jump with a nation-leading leap of 20-0 3/4.
NICK VENA SHATTERS SHOT PUT RECORDMorristown (N.J.) senior Nick Vena won the shot put with a state-record and national-best effort of 73-3 during the 66th Morris County Relays at Morris Knolls (Rockaway, N.J.). It marked the 70th time he has surpassed the magic 70-foot barrier.
CHESEREK SHINES ON RELAYSSt. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) sophomore Edward Cheserek ran a sizzling 1:50.2 anchor leg on the sprint medley relay to help wipe out a 30-year-old meet record during the Essex County Relays in Livingston, N.J. The time of 3:27.58 leads the nation this spring. Cheserek also had anchor legs of 4:05.8 on the second-place 4xmile relay and 1:52 on the second-place 4x800 relay.
MARY CAIN RUNS TOP 1,500Sensational
Bronxville (N.Y.) freshman Mary Cain ran this year's fastest 1,500 in 4:23.1 during the Somers Lions Club Invitational in Lincolndale, N.Y. Her time also bettered the New York state record of 4:23.23 set by Christine Curtin in 1982. Cain already had the nation's fastest 800 (2:06.44).
WANLISS WINS HISTORIC RACEHoly Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta) senior O'Neal Wanliss was named the outstanding performer in last week's Class A state track meet after winning the 800 in a record 1:49.618 and the 400 in 47.77. In a photo finish,
Whitefield Academy (Mableton, Ga.) junior Cameron Thornton, who lunged and collapsed at the end, was given a time of 1:49.623. During the 40-year history of Georgia's state meet, no runner previously had broken 1:50 in the 800.
REMONTAY MCCLAIN RUNS 10.35Covina (Calif.) senior Remontay McClain is warming up to defend his California state titles in the 100 and 200. During the Valle Vista League finals, he tied his career-best (10.35) in the 100 and also won the 200 in 20.92.
MORGANNE PHILLIPS MAKES ALABAMA HISTORYDespite an ailing hip,
Shades Valley (Birmingham, Ala.) senior Morganne Phillips won the Class 6A 400 state title in 55.91. She is believed to be the first 6A athlete to win five consecutive titles in the same event. The University of Kentucky recruit ran with pain from a torn labrum in her right hip and will have surgery soon.
SYDNEY TULLAI HOLDS WORLD RECORDKeep an eye on 12-year-old Sydney Tullai, a seventh grader at Canyon Hills Junior High (Chino Hills, Calif.). She holds the world mile record (5:07.8) for girls age 11 or younger. The previous record of 5:13 was held by British runner Sarah Hopkinson. Tullai also is a standout in soccer and has a black belt in karate.
HARPER ENDS 41-YEAR CAREERBrentwood Academy (Tenn.) track coach Charlie Harper is retiring after winning 16 state championships during his 41-year career.
