It’s rare to see the jubilation of breaking a state record combined with finishing second.
Boyd Anderson’s 4×800 relay team of Eva Pierce, Rachel James, Ambrosha Austin and Rebecca James broke the state record with a time of 9:10.76 despite finishing behind Miami Northwestern (9:05.90) at the Class 4A State Track and Field Championships on Saturday at Showalter Field. The state record was held by Winter Springs (9:11.10).
“It still feels great to break the state record,” said Rebecca James, who is the twin sister of Rachel James. “I am so proud of our team that has come a long way.”
Last year’s team failed to qualify for the state tournament and ran only a season best of 10:14.
“We are overwhelmed with joy right now,” Rebecca James said. “Not only did we make states, but we finished second. That’s like wow.”
The Flanagan boys’ 4×800 relay team finished fifth with a season-best time of 8:01.35. Their previous best was 8:10.16.
DOUBLING UP
Sadika Francis of Flanagan placed fourth in the discus with a throw of 118 feet, 2 inches. She was fifth in the long jump with a season-best 17-93/4. Catherine Okoukoni of Cypress Bay was third in the triple jump at 38-5 and sixth at 17-91/2 in the long jump. … Bianca Deslouches of Douglas was third in the pole vault at 10-0.
BEST EFFORT
Jacques Nicely of Miramar had his best outing of the season in the shot put with a throw of 55-01/2, which was good for second. His previous best was 51-11. Jabaal Sheard of Hollywood Hills was fourth with a throw of 53-0. … Daquam Lee of Everglades,had his best time of the year, finishing third in the 1,600 at 4:20.81. … Joseph Davis of Sarasota Riverview set the state record in the pole vault at 15-10, breaking the record of 15-91/2 set by Ben Dickens of Douglas in 2004. … Chris Rainey, who helped lead Lakeland past St. Thomas Aquinas in the Class 5A state football championship in December, was second in the 100-meter dash (10.73).
