- April 20, 2026
Flagler Palm Coast’s track and field team won eight district titles on Saturday, April 18, at Sanford Seminole. The Bulldogs probably would have won more, but some of the athletes who had already qualified for regional and just needed to finish their events at district, took it easy.
The top two athletes in each event automatically qualify for regional. Eight at-large runners complete the field based on their times at district or at one of the other approved meets.
Among the boys, seven individuals and one relay qualified automatically with top-two finishes: Logan Jacobelli (first in the 100 meters), Will Roberts (first in the 400), Mikey Najpaver (second in the 400), Najir Eddins (first in the 110 hurdles), Douglas Seth (second in the 3,200), Rhett Opalewski (second in the 800) and the 4x400 relay team (first place).
Jordan Haymon finished in double digits in the 100, 200 and 400, but he will be competing in region in all three events based on his high regional rankings from other approved meets. Haymon's 400 time at the Bob Hayes Invite is the second fastest in Class 4A this season. Jacobelli will be joining Haymon in all three events.
Others who are guaranteed to qualify for the Region 1-4A meet are La’Darius Simmons and Jack Wronowski in javelin, Earnest Fingers in pole vault, Jacob Harnisch and Ethan Ruiz in discus, Mekhi Jones and Sameul Lendor in shot put, Zac Murphy in long jump, Seth in the 1,600 and the 4x800 relay team of Aiden Petersen, Seth, Owen Stackpole and Opalewski.
With some runners running just to finish, the Bulldogs might have sacrificed winning the boys district title. They finished second behind Seminole 145-129. But it was more important to get as many athletes qualified, rested and healthy for region as possible, coach Dave Halliday said.
“Losing the district title is disappointing, but we got all those qualified who needed to be qualified. We have a chance to be in the top three (among boys teams) at state. Prioritizing what’s important to your program, I think, is pretty mature on the boys’ part.”
On the girls side, Arianna Slaughter (800 and 1,600) and Karina Marcelus (100 hurdles and triple jump) each won two events. Joining them at regional based on previous results are Grace Taylor in javelin, Danteria Rankin in shot put and the 4x800 relay of Anna Grigoruk, Slaughter, Jayden Wright and Everly Mucciolo.
Other athletes are on the bubble and have a chance to make the field. The Region 1-4A meet will be back at Seminole on May 2.
Five Matanzas High School athletes finished among the top two at the District 4-3A meet on April 18 at Ponte Vedra High School to automatically qualify for the regional on May 2 at Pensacola Pine Forest High School.
Peyton Cerasi won the 3,200-meter title and finished second in the 1,600 meters. Jayden McCoy won boys triple jump. Also finishing second were: Kamryn Miller in girls discus, Dylan Ciardi in boys 3,200 and Jez McCoy in boys 400 hurdles.
Seabreeze and Mainland will compete in the District 6-3A meet on Friday, April 24, at Deltona High.
