Celebration sophomore Catalina Edwards, who won all-state honors in two different events, is the Osceola News Gazette’s Girls Track Athlete of the Year. She was also the fall’s Cross Country Girls Runner of the Year.
At the Class 4A state championship in Gainesville, Edwards reached the podium in both the 800 and 1600 meters — finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Edwards finished the 800 meters in 2:16.68, missing third place by just over half a second. The Storm junior also finished fifth in the 1600 meters with a time of 5:05.04. Edwards was the only athlete from Osceola County to earn all-state honors in two individual events.
“Her main asset is her determination and fearlessness when she runs,” Storm coach Cliff Branch said. “Regardless of the meet, the venue or the competition, she is never intimidated and believes she is going to win. I am glad she is returning for another year and fully anticipate her contending for more championships, but I’m equally excited about her future. I believe she will run at the next level.”
In addition to OBC championships, she won a district title in the 800 and took second in the 1600; she was also second in the 800 at regionals.
Edwards edged out several outstanding performers. Gateway’s Amela Johnson won two individual events at the OBC meet, winning the 200 and 400 meter runs. She would go on to win the 100 and 200 at districts and place second in the 400, win the 400 at regionals and advance to the Class 3A state meet in the 400.
Gateway’s Paige Alise won OBC titles in the discus and shot and was second in the javelin. Alise also qualified and finished 11th in the state in the javelin.
Edwards’ teammate Helena Huyke also put together an outstanding season, winning the 100 and 300 meter hurdles and long jump at the OBC meet. She had a pair of second place finishes in the hurdles at district before suffering an injury at regionals.
Osceola’s Shannon Levy won the 100 at OBCs and district, placed third at regionals and 10th in the state championships. She also ran a leg on the Kowboys 4x100 relay team that won OBC’s and district, finished second at regionals and earned All-State honors with a sixth place finish.
The rest of the girls track All-County team:
Lailana Decker, Harmony (3,200 meters);
Quayana Jenkins, Aaliyah Strachen, Zanaya Bright, Osceola (4x100 relay with Levy);
Tatitana George, Aaliyah Strachen, Osceola (4x400 relay with Bright and Jenkins);
Shelby Fertic, Byrnn Magner, Rebekah Wiles, Decker, Harmony (4x800 relay)
Hannah Vickers, Harmony (triple jump);
Elizabeth Hernstrom, Harmony (pole vault);
Thora Gaston, Harmony (javelin).
