Led by its 4x100-meter relay squad, the Monsignor Pace boys track and field team won its first state title on Saturday night at the Class 2A state championship at Showalter Field in Winter Park.
The Spartans pulled off an impressive victory by totaling 82 points and finishing 35 points ahead of runner-up Tampa Jesuit, who totaled 47 points on the night.
Led by three members of the football program in Derrick Hopkins, Kayvon Webster and Sterling Griffin, along with Jeffrey Allen, the Spartans ran a state and national-best time of 40.54 in the 4x100.
The team tallied the third-fastest time in Florida history and the fastest time ever at a state meet.
Pace's time of 40.54 ties Tallahassee Lincoln (40.54 in 2005) and trails Olympia (40.39 in 2003) and Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, who clocked a state-best 40.09 in the 1998 Golden South Classic.
They also garnered national recognition after running the fastest 4x100 time of any school in the country this year.
Hopkins, who ran the anchor leg, helped the Spartans wrap up their win after taking first place in both the 100 and 200 meter races. The standout senior, who was plagued with a hamstring injury for much of the season, ran the 100 in 10.64 and the 200 in 21.39.
Hopkins, along with Webster and Griffin, has signed a letter of intent to play football for the University of South Florida.
Boys Water Polo: Belen Jesuit captures state title
The Belen Jesuit boys water polo team withstood a gritty comeback by Winter Park en route to its first state title in school history edging the Wildcats, 13-10, on Saturday in the championship match at the YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando.
The Wolverines, who finished the season 27-0, were led by the offensive attack of Julio, Juan and Anthony Lopez. The three combined for eight goals, six assists and nine steals on defense.
After falling behind 6-1, Winter Park quickly evened the score.
Belen Jesuit's goalkeeper, Carlos Pedron, was also instrumental in the win blocking three key shots in the second half that could have given Winter Park the edge.
Girls Water Polo: Ransom Everglades takes title
After losing to Gulliver Prep in last year's championship match, the Ransom Everglades girls water polo team finally got its revenge and more.
The Raiders (23-1) edged St. Andrew's 9-8 on Saturday night to capture their first Class 2A state title since 1997 at the YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando.
Despite a sluggish start, Ransom pulled together and overcame the obstacles set before them by a tough St. Andrew's team.
After both teams traded goals for much of the match, freshman sensation Gabriela Serure sealed the win for Ransom by scoring the game-winning goal late in the fourth quarter.
Ransom's title run snapped Gulliver's seven-year championship streak.
