- April 19, 2024
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Matanzas’ Savannah Drummonds and Flagler Palm Coast’ Alantra McFadden have won their respective conference, district and regional championships in their respective events. The only event of the season left is the FHSAA Track and Field State Championships, which will take place Saturday, April 2, at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
“A first-place title at conference, district and regionals is great, but going to the states is a whole different game,” Drummonds said. “I’ll have to go big to have a chance.”
John Guilbe, a Matanzas senior pole vaulter, and the only male from Palm Coast to win at regionals, has won the district and regional title, and he will be looking for his third championship this season. Seeking his first state title, Guilbe plans to jump higher than he’s ever jumped up to this point.
“Well I am trying to go for 14 feet, but it will all depend on practice,” he said. “I will be trying to get on a 15-feet pole and go for 14 feet 6 inches.” Guilbe jumped 13 feet at regionals.
Like the others, McFadden says she will be OK with, if she places. Although she has been successful this season, she didn’t expect to win regionals, which led to this reaction.
“I was so excited, I cried for five minutes,” McFadden said. “But once the meet continued and my other teammates didn’t qualify, I was a little heartbroken. We push and motivate each other, and I wanted them with me at states.”
While these three took first place at regionals, the other state qualifiers also have a chance to reach the podium. That is why everyone has constantly talked about training hard for this special moment in each of their lives.
BOX: FPC and Matanzas will have plenty of opportunities to win a state championship or place.
For the Pirates, Kinley Drummonds, who finished behind her sister in the pole vault, Kylie Dahlburg and Tahiem Shakir, who both took fourth in the 800-meter run and the high jump, will represent Matanzas.
The Bulldogs will be represented by Ka’Deem Wynn, Alex Centi, Ashton Garrett and Justin Pacifico in the 4x800 relay, Que’Shaun Byrd in the 100-meter dash, Mark Bertrand in the pole vault, Ra Blanding, Byrd, Jimmie Robinson and Mel Cabrera in the 4x100 relay, Devonne Friday in the 300 hurdles, Sophia Clark and Pacifico in the boys and girls 800 run, Ladeijah Williams, Friday, Josie Davis and Courtney Gales in the girls 4x400 relay, and Dominic Green, Marcel Williams, Pacifico and Wynn in the boys 4x400 relay.
