Team effort: Benjamin wins 1A Boys State Track Title

JACKSONVILLE – Benjamin’s track and field program has run it back to the top again at the University of North Florida.

In the two-day event (Wednesday, May 17 and Thursday, May 18) at the FHSAA Class 1A State Track and Field Championships – this was due to a multitude of weather delays – we had a meet finish to remember for years to come.

Last night (May 17), Benjamin’s boys track team was down by a score or 77-76 to Chaminade’s boys track team. With only two events to go – there were 18 events in total – all eyes were on juniors Robert Letsche (pole vault) and Jackson Hamilton (discus).

The 17th event was about Letsche and how he could will Benjamin to its second straight boys track state title.

Here is how Letsche enabled Buccaneers head coach Barrett Saunders and crew to jump past Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) for good.

The @FHSAA will officially recognize @TBSAthletics1 as the 1A Boys Track and Field State Champions sometime later this morning or later in the day.

But here’s what you need to know:@robert_letsche is our 561 hero with his third place finish in the boys pole vault (12-9 1/2) 🥉 pic.twitter.com/fgmZmNub3w
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 18, 2023

“Robert has been the premier pole vaulter in Palm Beach County the last two years,” Saunders said. “He continues to grow into one of the top vaulter’s in the state as well. So I am happy for him that his third place finish sealed our second straight state championship.”

And for the 18th and final event, Hamilton made sure to have the signature exclamatory moment for himself and his entire team.

The final event of the @FHSAA 1A Boys Track and Field State Championships was all about @JHamilton2024 🏆

The @TBSAthletics1 ‘24 standout has won two individual state titles over the past two days:

•Boys Discus: 168 feet, 1 inch 🥇
•Boys Shot Put: 51 feet, 6.5 inches 🥇 pic.twitter.com/zlSNwees2H
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 18, 2023

State champ in shot with a PR and broke the school record! https://t.co/Gh3pm35QJB
— Jackson Hamilton (@JHamilton2024) May 17, 2023

“Jackson Hamilton has been our rock this year,” Saunders said. “He has been the top thrower in Palm Beach County all year and one of the best in the state period. He stepped up with a huge PR (personal record) in the shot put with a state championship winning throw of 15.71 (51’6.5), which started us with a much-needed 10 points for the team. He added a state title in the discus in an event where he has only been beaten once this season.”

Hamilton chimed in.

“I felt prepared coming into states,” the double state title individual winner said. “The support from my team and coaches really helped set my mindset. It is a big honor to continue the tradition.”

Saunders reflected on Benjamin’s second consecutive boys track and field state title.

The @FHSAA Class 1A State Track and Field Championships have come to a thrilling close.

Boys state champion: @TBSAthletics1 with 91.50 points 🥇🏆

@ljbsaun @JHamilton2024 @robert_letsche @colegrande23 @MicahMaysJr1 @SweetingDarrell @JCosbyMosley @JoshuaLu1z @chauncey_333 pic.twitter.com/mfFKzbCi8M
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 18, 2023

“This year’s team was more dominant than last year’s team because we don’t have to depend on any one athlete for us to win,” Saunders said. “With Jackson doing well in the discus today, we won every championship meet we competed in this year by double digit points.”

Saunders also reflected on the series of weather delays that contributed to the team’s overall outcome.

“It was a crazy day yesterday,” Saunders said. “With all the lightning delays and the stopping and starting it made it hard on us to get in any rhythm. A lot of our stars had tough days yesterday, but I am proud of the guys because it was a true team victory. We got contributions from everyone and that allowed us to still pull it out when we were not at our best, which makes this year’s state title sweeter than last year’s because it was a true team victory.”

Benjamin senior sprinter and Sanford track signee Cole Grande shared his thoughts on how it all ended for him and his team.

“It’s definitely a great feeling,” Grande said. “After not racking up many points last year, being able to contribute much more this year was a goal of mine since the beginning of the season.”

Benjamin fellow senior and Temple signee Darrell Sweeting provided us with a closeout statement.