As expected, the Harmony Longhorns are once again the top high school track program in Osceola County, capturing both the girls and boys Orange Belt Conference Championships.
But Wednesday was also was an emotional day for Tohopekaliga, a program still reeling from a Sunday accident that claimed the life of former soccer and track star Stephanie Davis.
The Longhorn girls won five events and scored 191 points, followed by St. Cloud (112.5), Celebration (111), and Osceola (99) to repeat as OBC champions. Harmony’s boys (176.5) had a little tougher time to get by Tohopekaliga (155). Celebration (88) and Osceola (78.5) followed.
Davis, a freshman soccer player at Jacksonville University, was killed in a car accident Sunday afternoon as the team returned from a bonding trip. In addition to being an all-OBC star fro the Tigers, she was a member of the 4x400 relay team that set a school record last year.
After the meet, Davis was honored in a ceremonial 4x400 run by the three members of last year’s team that set the school record with Davis. The entire Tohopekaliga program was set to run the final leg in her honor, but as the third runner rounded the finish line the Tigers were joined by the entire squads and coaches from all eight county schools, with nearly 350 running the final lap in her honor.
“Awesome tribute to an awesome person,” Tohopekaliga Athletic Director Lonnie Flores said. “Anyone who knew Stephanie became her friend and I would be hard-pressed to think of a better way to honor her memory.”
The Lady Longhorns were led by Lailana Decker, who won the 3,200 meters and also ran a leg on the winning 4x800 relay. Thora Gaston set a new OBC record in the javelin with a throw of 35.68 meters.
Other winners for Harmony included Drea Thompson in the high jump (1.57 meters), Elizabeth Hernstrom in the pole vault (3.05 meters), and Hannah Vickers in the triple jump (9.71, where Vanelis Ramos and Hallie Vickers completed a Harmony sweep. Its 4x800 relay team of Shelby Fertic, Lailana Decker, Rebekah Wiles, and Brynn Maher also won in 10:23.82.
“No real surprises in the meet, I think we definitely performed up to expectations,” Harmony girls Xoach Adam Kerns said. “Going 1-2-3 in the triple jump was a plus, and Thora setting a meet record was a highlight. The main thing is we were able to win another county championship and that was the goal coming in. Winning an OBC title is a big deal to our athletes.”
Celebration got impressive performances from Helena Huyke and Catalina Edwards. Huyke won three individual events – the 100 and 300 meter hurdles and the long jump; Edwards doubled in the 800 and 1,600 meter runs.
Gateway also had double winners as Paige Alise won the discus and shot, and Amela Johnson won the 400 and 800 meters. Alise also took second in the javelin, accounting for 28 of Gateway’s 64 girls points.
Osceola’s Shannon Levy was the 100 meters champion, and the Kowboys won the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Levy was joined by Quayana Jenkins, Aailiyah Strachen and Zanayah Bright on the 4x100; while Bright, Strachen, Jenkins, and Tatina George formed the 4x400 team.
For Harmony’s boys, Isaiah Oquendo had a huge meet, winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes and also running a winning leg on the 4x100 meter relay with Wathson Cherancy, Alex Tuyo, and football star Tyler Emans. Tyson Job won the 110-meter hurdles and the triple jump; while Tuyo led a 1-2-3 Harmony sweep in the 300-meter hurdles.
“The meet went really well for us, our guys did what they had to do,” Harmony boys coach Debra Richardson said. “I was really pleased the 4x100 relay team broke the school record again, as did Isaiah in the 100. Going 1-2-3 in the 300-hurdles was another high point. We had a few kids who were injured and didn’t participate but overall it was a great meet for us.”
Tohopekaliga’s had an outstanding meet, led by Orlando Descartes who won the high jump and then set an OBC, field and county record in the javelin (48.76 meters). Toho also swept the pole vault with Peter DeAlmeda, Angel Mendoza and Orlando Descartes (3.23).
“I think we really exceeded expectations today,” Tohopekaliga Coach Matt Fenn said. “Our distance and field guys really set the pace for us. We told our kids to compete but to also go out and have fun and I think we accomplished both.”
Behind distance specialists Julian Pomales, Johan Comacho, and Zeniel Lizardo – the Tigers swept the 1,600 meters. Pete Rodriquez, who has also qualified for the FHSAA State Weightlifting Championship next week, won the shot put.
Celebration’s Jared Falchook added to his decorated resume with three wins – taking the 400-meter and 3200-meter runs and running a leg on the winning 4 x 400 relay with Evan Amaya, Oniel Senatus, and Gabriel Merino in a time of 3:27.64. Cooper James also took a first for Celebration in the 800 meters.
Other OBC boys track champions included Hakeem Alvena in the long jump (6.09 meters), Osceola’s Jimarion McCrimon in the discus, and the Gateway’s 4x800 relay team of Luis Alberto-Gonzalez, Jovanni Matos, Aarron Campbel, and Eli Azize.
The track postseason continues, as next up for
