- May 12, 2026
Father Lopez junior Lauren Lancing didn’t allow what could have been a disastrous turn weaken her resolve at the Class 1A track and field championships on May 6 at the University of North Florida.
Lancing qualified in four events for the state championships. Her best chance of winning a medal was in the 100-meter hurdles, where she was ranked fifth. But Lancing clipped one of the final hurdles, resulting in a disqualification.
“Instead of stopping, she rose, finished the race, and reminded everyone watching what true sportsmanship looks like,” said Father Lopez track coach Sue O’Malley. “Champions are not only defined by victories, but by how they respond when things do not go according to plan. Lauren showed the heart of a true champion of character.”
Lancing had barely 10 minutes to regroup for the 100-meter dash and placed ninth, with a time of 12.65 seconds, missing eighth place and a spot on the medal stand by just two-thousandth of a second.
After another quick turnaround, Lancing anchored the Green Wave’s 4x100 relay team to a 12th-place finish with a time of 50.37 seconds. Before the night was over, she also anchored the 4x400 relay, which finished in 4:17.3. Both relay times were just short of the Green Wave’s season best.
Caroline Curtis, who ran on both relays, set a personal record in the 800 with a time of 2:26.
“This state meet was more than times, places and marks. It was a reminder that courage can be found in getting back up after disappointment, in competing for your teammates when exhausted and in giving your very best under the brightest lights,” O’Malley said.
Matanzas defensive back Jaden Dormevil has signed a scholarship with Glenville State to play football next season at the NCAA Division II school in West Virginia.
Dormevil had four interceptions and scored two touchdowns for the Pirates during his senior season.
Mainland, Seabreeze and Flagler Palm Coast baseball were among the teams that sent messages of sympathy and support to the Spruce Creek baseball program, which lost a beloved assistant coach over the weekend.
Adam Smith, 26, died in a single-car crash in Port Orange during the early morning hours of May 10.
“Our hearts are with the Spruce Creek baseball family during this incredibly difficult time. We are keeping your players, families, coaches and community in our thoughts and prayers,” the social media messages read.
Mainland High School, on its Facebook page, posted: “Mainland sends its heartfelt sympathies to the Spruce Creek High School family as they grieve the loss of a dear friend, faculty member, and coach.”
Smith coached catchers at Spruce Creek for the past three years. He played baseball at New Smyrna Beach High School and before joining Spruce Creek’s program he coached at New Smyrna and DeLand.
Spruce Creek baseball parent Blanca Christen set up a Gofundme for Smith’s family to help pay for final arrangements. Go to gofundme.com/f/support-for-coach-adam-smiths-family-for-final-arrangements
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