By: Charlie Hilley
The namesake of late seven year Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) Principal Craig Speziale, “The Craig,” is the PVHS Home Track Meet held every year around the start of the regular season. Schools and athletes from all across the Region are invited to attend what Head Coach Zane Guile repeatedly describes as, “The best run Meet in Florida.” The efficiency and pace of the meet along with the impressively kept equipment makes The Craig a must attend for every team’s season.
A total of 23 teams and 979 athletes attended The Craig from as far south as Spruce Creek (Daytona) and as far north as Camden County (Georgia). The windy Saturday morning of Feb. 28 saw cold temperatures in the low 60’s keeping most athletes in their sweats, and a strong head wind ensuring a vicious final 100 meter sprint to the finish line in every sprint and hurdles event. Over 20 PVHS athletes set personal records at this meet, most notably by Miles Wicks breaking a 15 year old PVHS record in the 400m run, impressively finishing in only 49.37 seconds. Miles Wicks now holds the school records for the 400m and 1600m, and his goal is to also break the school records in the 800m and 3200m as well. Other notable personal records were made by junior Luke Ross who won the boys 600m run with a time of 4:22, senior Gabe Engl who placed second in the 100m hurdles with a time of 16.03, and senior Lillian Ritchie who placed third in the girls High Jump with an impressive 1.47m mark.
“The best run Meet in Florida. The efficiency and pace of the meet along with the impressively kept equipment makes The Craig a must attend for every team’s season.”
Coach guile
The Craig concluded with the boys team finishing in 4th place, and the girls team impressively finishing in a close 2nd. Unfortunately several injuries of key athletes on the boys team did hurt the ending rankings, including senior Long Jumper William Hankee, whose ankle popped out of socket on the last warmup before competition. Hankee later said, “It was really unfortunate, it just popped right at the end there. But I talked with the Coaches and I’d rather keep myself ready for the rest of the season rather than risk a worse injury from jumping.”
Many outstanding volunteers came out to support the varsity track team, consisting of over 65 parents and the near entirety of the JV roster. It was through weeks of preparation and a communal effort that The Craig was able to wrap up events only 30 minutes behind schedule, and allowed plenty of time for the PVHS Senior Event to unfold. This celebration featured pictures with the families who have supported these athletes throughout their high school careers, and was accompanied by speeches given by chosen underclassmen congratulating them on their accomplishments.
Pictured: Valentina McIntosh throwing the shotput in competition (@fenneysflics)
