FORT LAUDERDALE – We had an experience to remember at the Class 1A-Region 4 track and field meet on Saturday, May 6.
This was the penultimate meet of the season in Class 1A, as the best of the best took center stage in a series of field and running events and earned their spots on the podium.
For the boys, Benjamin outlasted its completion by finishing with a whopping 178 points.
Meanwhile, for the girls, Oxbridge Academy tied with Palmer Trinity (Miami) for first in the team category with 103 points.
Let us take you through some of the action in both the photo and video formats.
🏃♀️🏃♂️REGIONALS: CLASS 1A-4🏃♀️🏃♂️@TBSAthletics1: Boys won regionals with a total of 178 points 🥇🏆@GoOxbridge: Girls were tied with @PTS_Athletics to win regionals at 103 points 🥇🏆
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 7, 2023
Trophies back to the 561 tonight 🏡🏝️#StateBound #Back2Back
@ljbsaun @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/xEx42vL1Me
“We all came together and did what we had to do,” said Benjamin senior Micah Mays, who placed second in the high jump (6 feet, 2 inches; third attempt) and the 400 meter race (48.81 seconds). “Last year, we won it, so we came in with the same mission. We only lost two, three seniors last year, so we knew we had it in the bag. We have a big team. Everyone contributed.”
Fellow Benjamin senior Darrell Sweeting chimed in.
“This is like second nature to us,” said Sweeting, who placed second in the triple jump (44 feet, 3.5 inches).
Group interview: @TBSAthletics1 @MicahMaysJr1 @SweetingDarrell @chauncey_333
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 7, 2023
They spoke on how it was a true team effort in the @FHSAA Class 1A – Region 4 meet at @wacad.
Led by @ljbsaun, the boys won overall with 178 points. 🥇🏆#StateBound #Back2Back pic.twitter.com/RqxEgzPgJI
As for the Oxbridge Academy girls team, they came through in a rally of sorts. They were in second place for most of the night before pulling even in the end with Palmer Trinity.
You can listen to the entire interview in this below clip.
Group interview: @GoOxbridge
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 7, 2023
The girls track team spoke on how they worked together with their coaches to earn the team regional championship tonight at @wacad. 🥇🏆 pic.twitter.com/emXefiTUrX
Aside from Benjamin and Oxbridge Academy, we had some other stellar performances from a variety of teams.
Berean Christian senior Taujani Elliott placed fourth in the 200 meter race (22.22 seconds), third in the 400 meter race (49.13 seconds), and third in the long jump (22 feet, 1 inch). Meanwhile, fellow Berean Christian standout Chelsea Christian placed fourth in the girls 200 meter race (25.96 seconds).
🏃♀️🏃♂️REGIONALS: CLASS 1A-4🏃♀️🏃♂️@DangeloPondss: Won 200m race with time of 21.72 seconds 🥇@kwamesmith11_: Placed second at 22.02 sec. 🥈@colegrande23: Placed third at 22.21 sec. 🥉@Tajauni2: Fourth at 22.22 sec. 🏅@CMLions_Sports @TBSAthletics1 @BereanBulldogs @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/7NVfyM2sDQ
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 7, 2023
🏃♀️🏃♂️REGIONALS: CLASS 1A-4🏃♀️🏃♂️@kwamesmith11_: Won boys 400m race with time of 48.44 seconds🥇@MicahMaysJr1: Placed second with time of 48.81 sec. 🥈
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 6, 2023
@tajuani2: Placed third with time of 49.13 sec. 🥉@BryantXavier_: 4th with time of 52.20@wacad @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/MCia39jO57
🏃♀️🏃♂️REGIONALS: CLASS 1A-4🏃♀️🏃♂️
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 7, 2023
Tyra Cox: Won girls 200 at 24.63 seconds 🥇
Julia Degruttola Aere: Second at 25.64 sec. 🥈
Akari Marshall: Third at 25.69 🥉
Chelsea Christian: Fourth at 25.96 🏅@CMLions_Sports @AHPBAthletics @GoOxbridge @BereanBulldogs @Coach_Jack83 @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/c0AH6FMWqM
Chelsea Christian takes 4th place in class 1A Region 4 for 200m with a time of 25.96. @EraPrep @emilee_smarr @SSACAthletics @pbpsports @ESPNWestPalm @BereanBulldogs @bereanwpb @thegoat_tc @bran_drakeford @johnfixjr pic.twitter.com/KtMLb6FmDt
— Mario Jackson (@Coach_Jack83) May 7, 2023
Berean Christian senior Brandon Drakeford won the triple jump event.
@bran_drakeford Brandon Drakeford takes 1st place in 1A Region 4 Triple Jump with an attempt of 13.70 meters! @EraPrep @emilee_smarr @ESPNWestPalm @SSACAthletics @BereanBulldogs @bereanwpb @johnfixjr pic.twitter.com/ve1sRRQrUU
— Mario Jackson (@Coach_Jack83) May 7, 2023
Berean Christian coach Mario Jackson was with Elliott and Christian when they commented on how the regional meet went for them. Drakeford was not available for the interview.
You can listen to it all here.
Group interview: @BereanBulldogs @Coach_Jack83 spoke on how well @Tajauni2 and Chelsea Christian did in their events during the @FHSAA 1A-Region 4 meet at @wacad.
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 7, 2023
The two track standouts expounded on their efforts further.#StateBound@bereanwpb pic.twitter.com/4HanYO8tFF
Meanwhile, John Carroll was blessed with a true breakthrough moment from senior Grace Reed, who placed second in the 3200 meter race at 11:46.95 seconds.
Listen to what Reed and her head coach Kimberry Lubin had to say about the entire process and how it all came about.
Interview: @JohnCarrollHS @kimberrylubin spoke on his special distance runner who overcame a series of odds to place second in the 3200 meter race and qualify for the @FHSAA 1A Track & Field State Championships on May 17 at @UofNorthFlorida.
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 7, 2023
Grace Reed spoke further on it. 🥈 pic.twitter.com/DlQ7OH8rUW
We have plenty of other shining moments that came from this meet.
You can click on the following website to see all of the results:
http://results.tfmeetpro.com/Servant_Spirit_Timing_Se/FHSAA_Region_4_Class_1_A/
PLEASE NOTE: The Class 1A State Track and Field Championships will take place on Wednesday, May 17 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The top two finishers in each categories are guaranteed to move on to the state finals, while a slew of at-large berths will be announced prior to the final meet of this spring season.
VIDEO CREDITS: Mario Jackson
