Collier Lowers State Record to Highlight Day One 

By Ka’Deem Wynn for DyeStat

The first day of the Florida track and field state championships saw the preliminary rounds and two running event finals: the 800 and 3,200 meters.

The Bolles School senior Caitlin Collier electrified the crowd in Jacksonville with a stunning solo effort to secure her third straight 800-meter title. Collier once again broke her own Florida state record after clocking a personal-best 2:02.77 ─ nine seconds ahead of second-place finisher Patasha Bryan of South Walton HS.

Her time is now a US #1 and No. 9 on the all-time list as she joins the likes of Sammy Watson, Ajee’ Wilson and Mary Cain.

The Stanford signee also anchored Bolles’ 4x400 relay to a time of 3:49.72 during Friday’s preliminary round. Bolles will battle it out with Hallandale and American Heritage, as both teams were only one second behind. The trio will be the leaders going into the final.

Anthony Schwartz continued his undefeated streak, as he handily qualified in the 100, running 10.57. He also ran 20.95 to advance in the 200 and helped American Heritage qualify in the 4x100 relay (40.81).

The Auburn signee is the heavy favorite going into Saturday’s finals.

Nathan Jubran and Charles Hicks fought to the finish in the Class 2A boys 3,200. Jubran, the senior from Bishop Kenney, made a bold move with 500 meters go, pulling away from the two-time Foot Locker finalist to finish in 9:02.00. Hicks finished second in 9:07.69.

Jamal Walton cruised to a 46.46-second 400-meter victory in the Class 4A preliminary round with Piper High senior DaeQwan Butler taking the second qualifying spot after he ran 47.33. Butler finished ahead of Walton in the 200 prelims, as the pair went 21.62 and 21.84 to place second and third going into Saturday’s final.

In Class 3A, Thomas Burns finished with the top qualifying in the event, running 47.11. Last year, Burns ran 35.90 in the 300 hurdles to break Bershawn Jackson's state meet record of 36.01. However, Burns will not defend his title in the event. He will instead look to defend his title in the 110 hurdles (qualified with 14.51) and seek a title in the 400.

Gainesville freshman Tamari Davis ran 11.54 to qualify to the Class 3A finals. Davis’ time was the fastest across the board for all of the classes. State and national leader Brianna Williams finished behind Davis in 11.63. The nation’s top two will battle for bragging rights come Saturday.

In usual dominating fashion, the Lady Bulls of Miami Northwestern handily secured their spot in Saturday’s 4x400 final. The sprint quartet ran 3:45.98.

Calvary Christian senior Danny Fero and Bolles junior Chase Rivera went head to head in the Class 2A boys 800 final. In a down-to-the-wire finish, Fero edged out Rivera by 0.59 seconds, running 1:52.12. Rivera finished in 1:52.71.

Running events will resume tomorrow with the 4x800 relays starting at 10 a.m. Field events will begin at 8 a.m. Eastern.