The Scoop: Turning The Corner Into State Championship Month

Cory Mull

1. Florida's Dominate Distance Trifecta's + A Sprint Star's Own Triple

There was a lot to take in over the weekend at the Florida High School Athletic Association's Track and Field Championships at IMG Academy in Bradenton, but one set of moments stood out above the rest.

In the history of Florida's state championships, it had been extremely rare for anyone to pull off the sweep of distance events on the girls side.

But miraculously, it happened three times over the weekend -- and a fourth took place in the sprints in the highest classification.

A year ago, Collier swept the 800m, 1600m and 3200m, becoming the first athlete since 2012 to take a triple in the distance events and only the fifth to do it historically.

She repeated that honor in 2017, becoming the sixth person to do it, then added a win in the 4x800 relay and also watched Bolles win a Class 2A title.

Fort Myers' Kristlin Gear, a Furman University signee, added the same honor in Class 3A, becoming the seventh to do it all-time -- showing true poise to come from behind in the 800m and 3200m. Oak Hall junior Grace Blair became the eighth to do. 

And then, to top it off, one of the nation's top female sprinters, Symone Mason, earned a triple in the 100m, 200m and 400m. The University of Miami signee also helped Miami Southridge win a 4x100m relay title, and ultimately, a team championship. 

State Championship Efforts
  • Blair: 800 (2:13.43), 1600 (5:03.86), 3200 (11:07.94) + 4x800 (9:33.65)
  • Collier: 800 (2:10.65), 1600 (4:50.48), 3200 (10:30.39) + 4x800 (9:12.01) = Class 2A Championship
  • Gear: 800 (2:10.29), 1600 (4:56.04), 3200 (10:40.50)
  • Mason: 100 (11.7), 200 (23.48), 400 (52.69) + 4x400 (3:43.04) = Class 4A Championship
Other notables from the FHSAA Championships
  • Jarez Parks threw 210-6 to win the discus
  • Thomas Burns set a state record in the 300m hurdles with a time of 35.90
  • Miami Northwestern girls won its 9th straight team title