The Stars Come Out and Shine at the FSU Relays
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The FSU Relays delivered an action-packed weekend with several national-leading performances, personal bests, and dominant victories across multiple events.
Boys Highlights
Justin Woulard made his presence known on his future home track, competing in both the 100m and long jump. The Florida State commit clocked 10.55 in the 100m to place fourth, coming within a tenth of a second of his season best. In the long jump, he extended his winning streak to five straight meets, soaring 24-5.25 for the best mark in the country and a top-15 performance in Florida history.
Distance standout Marcelo Mantecon of Belen Jesuit Prep continued his record-breaking streak with an impressive double. He finished second in the 1600m with a season-best 4:14.44 before making history in the 3200m, breaking Patrick Koon's Florida sophomore state record with a time of 8:49.99. Mantecon now holds state records in both the 1600m and 3200m at the freshman and sophomore levels. Close behind him, Parker Adams and Grady Lenn posted U.S. top-five marks of 8:56.03 and 8:56.43, respectively.
Middle-distance dominance continued in the 800m, where Joseph Socarras secured another sub-1:50 performance, winning in 1:49.09. This marked his second time under the barrier this season and extended his undefeated streak in the event to five meets. Alejandro de Bastos followed in second, running a U.S. #7 time of 1:50.92.
The 400m hurdles saw a tight race between two of the nation's fastest, with Tayeshawn Rochelle edging out Julian Luiz for the win. Rochelle's 53.31 moved him to U.S. #2, while Luiz's 53.51 placed him at U.S. #4. They are two of only five boys in the country to break 54 seconds this season.
In the field events, Jason Atwood delivered a statement performance in the discus, launching a U.S. #1 throw of 216' 7.25". His massive effort improved his personal best by over 10 feet and gave him the national lead by more than five feet.
Girls Highlights
On the girls' side, sophomore Dasia Reed was unstoppable in the sprints, capturing both the 100m and 200m titles with personal bests. She clocked 11.44 in the 100m, winning by two-tenths of a second, before returning to dominate the 200m in 23.61, becoming the only girl in the field to dip under 24 seconds.
Chelsi Williams put together one of the most impressive all-around performances of the meet, winning the 100m hurdles, long jump, and triple jump. She clocked a personal-best 13.28 in the hurdles, setting a new national lead. In the long jump, she soared 20-3, while in the triple jump, she landed a winning mark of 41-7.25. Williams now leads the state in all three events and ranks ninth nationally in the 400m hurdles.
Marianna Wright shined in the 400m hurdles, running 1:00.38 to claim the win by more than three seconds and clock a U.S. #6 time.
The throws and jumps continued to deliver elite performances, with Julia Lemmon unleashing a U.S. #3 discus throw of 163' 7", an eight-foot personal best that keeps her undefeated this season. Journee Belcher cleared 5' 10.75" in the high jump, securing a U.S. #2 mark and extending her undefeated streak to six meets.
With national-leading marks, historic performances, and thrilling races across the board, the FSU Relays once again proved to be one of the most competitive and exciting meets of the season.