By Landon Roger-Neubarth
Prior to the beginning of the season, Ponte Vedra High School sprinters Coach Ms. Ewertz placed high expectations on the team and so far, they have delivered. “This team is poised to build upon last year, we retained key players and have a lot of promising underclassmen.” The keys for this team to win a state title are to stay healthy, continue the supporting team culture that’s been instilled, and to continue working hard. “This team has become a family.” encouraged Ms. Ewertz.
At the recent track meet, senior Wyatt Rogers ran the 100m dash in 11.20 seconds, earning him third place in a highly competitive field. Junior Jarrell Jimenez also competed in the same event and ran the race in 11.43 seconds, earning him fifth place. PVHS freshman Santana Starks also had a top five finish, running a 23.70 in the boys 200 dash. Senior Mia Chigounis finished fourth in a highly competitive girls 100 meter running a 13.09, coming only a little over half a second slower than the event winner. Mia once again placed for PV, this time coming second in the girls 200 running a 27.03, once again being only a half second off of first. Junior Lindy White completed the girls 600 meter in 1:42, a performance good enough to earn second place.
In the boys 1600 meter PVHS senior Grant Doherty brought home the gold with his outstanding 4:37.23 time. Sophomore Daisy Ross and Junior Hilaree Vega both finished in the top five in the girls 1600 meter. Daisy placed second with a 5:17 and Hilaree ran a 5:36.
The boys 110 meter hurdles were dominated by PVHS with all 3 of the top performances coming from Ponte Vedra. Leading the group, Jarrell Jimenez placed once again, this time winning the event running a 15.71. His teammate, senior Henry Gainer finished just a tenth of a second behind him. Both were closely followed by Wyatt Rogers who ran an impressive 16.15. Junior Sasha Crowe ran a 16.11 in the girls 100 meter hurdles, placing second.
The boys 4×400 had no competition, finishing 8 seconds clear of any other runners, running a 3:21. The relay team was made up of Wyatt Rogers, Jarrel Jamenez, Santana Starks, Charlie Macgravee, and Tariku Hammons “It felt amazing knowing that we have PR’ed in every race with the goal to have our names on the record board with the goal to have our names on the record board of PVHS track and field. With the time of 3:21 and our previous time of 3:22, it is inevitable as we train.” said Tariku Hammons.
Henry Gainer was able to best his competitors in the boy’s long jump, with a result of 20-01. Another sweep was completed by PV in the boy’s triple jump. The trio of Senior Colin Crowley, Jarrell Jimenez, and Senior Lucas Butler ran the table. Senior Colin Crowley led the three with a 39-02, closely followed by Jarrell Jimenez’s 38-04. “It feels good that I’ve learned triple jumping it is hard to do so and I feel obligated to do track triple jump for the school” said Colin Crowley. This is his first year competing in this event and he’s picked it up fast.
The duo of Henry Gainer and junior Nick DeSanto cleared the rest in boys pole vault finishing first and second respectively. Henry Gainer’s dominate 14-01 and Nick Desanto’s 12-05 were good enough to secure the win for PV.
Senior Nathan Lebowitz blew the fellow discus throwers out of the water, clearing second place by nearly 30. Nathan finished with a 162-11 followed up next by another top performer Henry Gainer’s. Henry placed third with his 130-09. Senior Ava Heinz threw 93-02 to lock up third place in girl’s discus
Junior Vinicent Jackson made the javelin uncompetitive with his leading 155-06, finishing 10 above any others. “It was a hard-fought win, javelin is a sport where you either have a good day or a bad day, wasn’t my best day but fortunate for the win.” The junior duo of Bella Madaffari and Sasha Crowe both led the table in girls javelin throwing 108-0.9 and 75.04. This placed Bella second and Sasha fifth.
Seniors Layne Swafford and Nathan Lebowitz came up big in the boys shot put placing first and second respectively. Lane Swafford led the two with his 53-01, closely followed by Nathan’s 46-07. In girls shot put, sophomore Elizabeth Nuhu and senior Ava Heinz both finished in consecutive places. Elizabeth Nuhu finished with a 30-02 putting her in fourth, and Ava Heinz threw 30-04 to achieve third.
This team has already had successes and is preparing for the upcoming districts this weekend. This team is optimistic and for good reason as there performance backs up there confidence.
