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Meet Recap by Ka'Deem Wynn - Golden South Classic 2015Published by
Ka’Deem Wynn | Writer
It could otherwise be known as an annual field day for all of the top track & field athletes in the state. A day full of fun, fierce competition, and the chance for athletes to go head-to-head with some of their biggest rivals, who usually miss the opportunity to square off very often due to class divisions. With nice weather to compete in with the exception of very strong winds from time to time, the overall meet was once again a success.
From start to finish, the crowds were literally on their feet every single race due to such close finishes.
Girls
In some races, it was a matter of time. In others, it was a matter of going to New York City. St. Thomas Aquinas junior Khalifa St. Fort edged out senior teammate Krystal Sparling by the slightest of margins in the 100-meter dash, with the two crossing the line in 11.43 and 11.44. The moment was made more memorable when one of the meet officials called over St. Fort to present her with her award to compete in the adidas Dream 100.
“Khalifa, where’d you go? Come over here Khalifa. I got something for you,” he said.
See Khalifa receive her bid to the Dream 100 Field in NYC
Diamond Spaulding was in that race, but didn’t fare too well. However, she made up for it in her next race. Khalifa and Spaulding would switch off roles, with Spaulding winning the 200-meter dash in 23.31. St. Fort would run 24.04 to get fourth.
See Diamond's post-race interview following her 200m win at the Classic
In the 100-meter hurdles, all eyes were on East Ridge junior Ashley Miller, and for good reason.
RELATED - SEE ASHLEY'S PRE CLASSIC TRACK WORKOUT
Not only did she win, but also she won by .01 to hold off Kimani Rushing of Hallandale. Running 13.48 and 13.49 respectively, both girls shattered the previous Classic record set only last year by Daeshon Gordon of Trinity Elite (13.61). With both of the girls returning next year as seniors, maybe we’ll see one or both of them go for Kendell Williams’ USATF Junior record set last year (12.87). Based on her performance, Ashley was voted the Golden South Classic Girls Meet MVP.
Sharrika Barnett took the top spot in the 400-meter dash, coming close to the Classic record set back in 2003 (52.14. Stephanie Smith), running 52.89 respectively. The Oak Ridge senior won by almost a whole two seconds, with Janaya Chambers (54.47), eighth grader Sterling Lester (54.69), and Janae Caldwell (54.87) rounding up the top four finishes.
Sophomore Daesha Rogers got the win in the 800 meters, and narrowly missed the Classic record. The record time of 2:09.00 was set back in 1985 by Showanda Martin. Rogers ran 2:10.68, and there’s no doubt that she’ll be back next year to make another attempt to break the record.
Though it was a very tight and interesting race, it might have been tighter with Sinclaire Johnson in the mix, who had won the 800 last year. However, a great and fierce race brewed behind Rogers, with the top seven girls all under 2:15, two of which ran 2:11, two at 2:12, and one at 2:13 and 2:14. To make it even better, every single of those girls are either sophomores or juniors, and will all be sure to return next year.
RELATED - SEE ALL POST RACE INTERVIEWS
The mile was another stacked race, with the top nine girls running under five minutes, and the top two girls going sub-4:50. Sophomores Rachel McArthur and Lauren Gregory led the way, with McArthur emerging victorious in 4:48.65. Gregory finished in 4:49.52 respectively. Winter Park’s Rafaella Gibbons competed as well, running 5:02.94 to finish 11th as Florida's top finisher..
As you’ll hear many coaches say, good hand-offs are key, especially in the 4x100. A good couple of teams were disqualified for running out of the exchange zone, or exchanging too early. However, the girls of United Speed Alliance got it together and took the win in 45.17.
The girls of Fast Lane Track Club really showed off their name, getting the win in the 4x400 relay in 3:45.92. Not only did they win their section, but barely beat the girls of Gazelle TC of section who won their section in 3:46.59.
Boys
In terms of New York City, it would be Devin Quinn. The Charlotte senior left the rest of the field, running a wind-legal (+1.0) 10.49 in the 100-meter dash, and secured his spot in the adidas Dream 100. Amir Rasul and Chauncey Gardner would battle for second, with Rasul edging out Gardner by .01, with the boys running 10.65 and 10.66 respectively.
Devin Quinn and Peter Cabrera post-race interview following his win in the 100m
Coming down off of the curve and down the homestretch of the 200-meter dash was a streak of "White Lightning" as Quinn emerged victorious for the second time in one day, again leaving his competition behind. Quinn won in 21.13 just narrowly missing his school record.
Gardner finished second in 21.36, Khai McLin in third with 21.40, and Rasual in fourth in 21.43.
In the 110-meter hurdles, it was between senior/Texas signee John Burt, senior/Baylor signee Antwaun Musgrove and sophomore Damion Thomas. Thomas would get the win in 13.80 over the signed seniors. John Burt of North Florida (14.00) finished 2nd followed by Musgrove, who finished in 14.22.
With the absence of American senior Ari Cogdell, the race wasn’t as tight as it possibly could have been. However, Jamal Walton, who took the top spot in the 400-meter dash, would have given Cogdell a run for his money, running 46.22 respectively. The Miami Gardens sophomore won by almost a full second, with eighth grade sensation Tyrese Cooper, (47.13), Rasheed Tatham (47.30), and Ryan Champlin (48.00) rounding up the top four finishes.
Justin Pacifico has came out of nowhere this year, winning races left and right, and making a few headlines along the way. The junior from Flagler Palm Coast, who held the title as US #1 in the 800 for a few hours until someone beat his time later the same day, finished second in the 800 at the state meet. Pacifico duked it out with Boyd Anderson senior Javon Patterson, and got the win in 1:53.34. Kansas State signee Patterson ran 1:53.56 for second.
Justin Pacifico's tells us his season comes to a close after his classic victory
It would have been interesting to see the likes of Kyren Hollis and Avery Bartlett in the mix as well, but the field was still stacked, with the top 10 going 1:56 or under. Just like the girls race, almost all of those boys are either sophomores or juniors, and will all be sure to return next year.
Just like the sprints, the distance races are sometimes a matter of making the trip or staying home. Avery Bartlett got the win in the mile over a fast closing Conner Mantz from Utah, and secured his spot for the adidas Dream Mile, running 4:08.55. Mantz ran 4:08.57.
Bartlett just missed getting the Classic record of 4:08.11 set two years ago. A rather impressive race, with the top six finishes all under 4:20. Carlin Berryhill was in the mix as well, finishing fourth in 4:17.83.
The boys of E.O.T.O. Elite took the top spot on the podium in the 4x100 relay, running 40.42. Miami Gardens Xpress came in second, running 41.66. Raines was third (42.04), Ultimate Track Club ‘A’ fourth (43.32), and Ultimate Track Club ‘B’ fifth (47.61).
Though it was only five guys in the 3,200, it was still a race to watch. Conner Mantz got the win and obliterated the Classic record set last year by champion Reilly Friedman out from Georgia (9:24.00). Mantz crossed the line at 9:17.30, a 17 second gap from Steven Cross, the Foot Locker Nationals finalist, who finished second in 9:34.33. A race full of people in “no man’s land,” behind Cross was Brendan Hessler (9:49.08), Dominic Williams (9:56.36), and Sheridian Foster (10:28.07).
Without Ari Cogdell and the squad of American, the boys of Miami Gardens Xpress went unchallenged, and cruised to a victory, running 3:13.68. The real battle was between the rest of the teams, with Peak Performance running 3:19.69, Seminole Track Club at 3:21.36, and Pearl Track Club at 3:34.21 to round out the top four.
With another year gone, we look to the future, eager to see more records broken, more athletes competing, and even faster times run. Who knows, it could be YOU next year hanging with the top athletes in the state. We hope to see you next year!
Meet MVP honors went to Devin Quinn, Boys 100/200 winner and Ashley Miller, Girls 100m Hurdles winner and new Classic record-holder.
Make sure to check out our meet page, full of interviews off the top performers of the day, and meet results. More news |
