Liam RooneyTallahassee Democrat
Dust off the spikes and get set, track season is off and running.
With meets nearly every weekend and local athletes making national noise with their performances on both the track and field, there is a lot to follow this track season.
From sprinters to distance, throwers to jumpers, we have plenty of talent in the Big Bend showcasing their talents, but which athletes are standing out among the rest?
Welcome to the Big Bend 30, a look at the track and field athletes you need to watch this spring season.
Micahi Danzy, Sr., Florida High
Danzy has established himself as not only one of the best sprinters in the state but in the country. Consistently at the front of the pack in the 100, 200, and 400-meter sprints, Danzy is must see when he lines up on the blocks on the track. Already on his winning ways this season, Danzy has had multiple first-place finishes at both the Jesse Forbes and Tariq Bartfield Invitational.
Patrick Koon, Sr., Leon
Koon is one of the top distance runners in the country and has dominated the cross-country and distance track scene for the last three seasons. A Nike elite athlete and three-time state cross country champion, and looking to be three-time tracks state champion, Koon is electric on the track. Wins at the Jesse Forbes Invitational have Koon off to a great start this season.
Cade Swart, Sr., Chiles
One of the nations top hurdlers, Swart has established himself as a dominant force on the track. Leading the area when it comes to hurdles, Swart recently set the fastest time in the nation at the North Florida/South Florida Challenge with a 52.67 in the 400-meter hurdles.
Kyra Swart, So., Chiles
Like her brother, Swart is one of the best in the nation when it comes to hurdles. Quick off the blocks and someone who almost never loses her stride during her runs, Swart is consistently winning, with wins in the 100-meter coming recently at both the Jesse Forbes and Tariq Barfield invitationals.
Kendrick Scott Jr., Sr., Lincoln
Scott Jr. is must must-watch when he steps up to the shot put event. One of the most exciting throwers in the area and in Florida as the Lincoln senior consistently has his name at the top of the state leaders. Likely a favorite to win a state title in the shot put, Scott Jr. is one to keep an eye on.
Darius Jones II, Jr., Rickards
A decathlete for Rickards, Jones II is a versatile athlete who competes at the top end in all 10 events he competes in. Staring in the field portion of meets, Jones II is steller in both the pole vault and the high hump while also being super competitive on the track. Jones II is one athlete you always want to keep an eye on at a meet.
Elizabeth Dowdy, Jr., Maclay
Another star on the field, Dowdy is one of the top pole vaulters to watch as she looks to defend her state title crown in the competition. Starting the season with wins, Dowdy is picking up where she left off last season as she is sitting atop the pole vault leaderboards again at her meets.
Caroline Couch, So., Maclay
The Maclay sophom*ore exploded onto the running scene last year during both cross country and track. Helping the Marauders to a state championship, Couch placed top five in both the 1600 and 3200-meter races at the state championships. Heading into her sophom*ore track year on the back of a state runner-up cross-country season, the sky is the limit for Couch.
Ay'keelah Green, Jr., Florida High
Another one of the talented hurdlers in the area, Green has established herself as one of Florida's best in the race. Excelling at longer-distance hurdles, Green is consistently at the top of the leaderboards in the 400-meter hurdles and is extremely competitive with Swart in the 100-meter. Green is one of the most exciting runners in the area.
Isabella Laughton, Jr., Wakulla
A talented distance runner, Laughton announced herself to the running scene last year, but has elevated her game this year in both cross country and track. Winning in both the 1600 and 3200-meter races at the Tariq Barfield Invitational, Laughton is off to a hot start to her junior season.
Sacori Gardner, Fr., Rickards
Gardner is one of the most exciting young runners in the area, blazing competition in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes to start the season. Winning at both the Jesse Forbes and Tariq Barfield Invitational in both the 100 and 200-meter races, Gardner is off to a fast start to her high school career and is one of the most exciting prospects to watch.
Jason Atwood, Sr., Chiles
Atwood is one of the area's top throwers and has been one of the most exciting field athletes to follow early on in the season. With three first-place discus finishes in the four meets he's competed in this season, Atwood is showcasing early star potential in his senior season.
Isaiah Farmer, So., Florida High
An athlete who broke onto the scene last year as a freshman, Farmer is one of Florida High's most versatile competitors. Fighting for top spots in both discus and shot put, Farmer is placing top five in both events consistently and is showing improvement from his freshman year, making him a thrilling field athlete to watch.
Rance Grace, Sr., Lincoln
One of the area's top hurdlers and sprinters, Grace has been excellent to start the season, posting first-place finishes in three events, the 110 and 400-meter hurdles and the 200-meter dash. Leading one of the deepest track programs in the area, Grace is a runner to follow as the track season progresses.
Isaiah Bighem, Sr., Leon
One of the Lion's most electric sprinters, Bighem is one of the area's quickest runners. Consistently placing in the top end of the standings for the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes, Bighem doesn't just excel on the track, as he is also one of the top jumpers, taking home 1st in the long jump at the Tariq Bartfield Invitational.
Randall Pompey, Sr., Rickards
One of the Raiders' top athletes, Pompey isn't just a star on the basketball court, as he is one of the area's top high jumpers. Placing first in the Tariq Bartfield Invitational and Jimmy Everett Invitational, Pompey marked the start of his senior campaign with a bang.
Taylor Nance, Sr., Rickards
One of Rickards's top hurdlers, Nance has established herself as a consistent threat to win in both the 100 and 400-meter hurdles races. Picking up two wins this season and finishing no place lower than third, Nance has been a star on the track so far.
Delvin Chambers, Sr., Jefferson County
The speedster from Jefferson County, Chambers is one of the area's quickest sprinters. Running in only one meet this season so far, Chambers placed second in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes, battling with Danzy at the front of the race. Chambers is an exciting athlete and is certainly one to watch on the track this season.
Jackson Rowe, Sr., Chiles
Part of the star-studded group of long-distance runners in the Big Bend, Rowe is a star for a good Chiles track program. Always a name at the top of both the 1600 and 3200-meter races, Rowe has already taken first once this season, winning the 3200 at the Jesse Forbes Invitational.
Xavier England, Sr., Florida High
Part of the aforementioned group of long-distance stars, England has long been one of the area's top distance runners. Competing in the 800, 1600 and 3200-meter races, England is almost always a lock for a top finish in the races, and he's already taken a couple of first places this year at Tariq Barfield (800) and Jimmy Everett Invitational (3200).
Mathew Hauser, So., Lincoln
One of two rising sophom*ore stars in the area distance scene, Hauser has been making noise for Lincoln as the Trojans boast a deep track team. Competing in the 800, 1600 and 3200-meter races, Hauser has been excellent in the 1600 this year, placing first at both the Jimmy Everett and Tariq Barfield Inviatiaionl to open up the season.
Henry Lewis, So., Wakulla
The second sophom*ore rising star in the area, Wakulla's Lewis is showcasing his potential early this year. Taking three first places combined between 1600 and 3200-meter races, Lewis isn't just a distance star as he also competes in the 400-meter dash, making him a fun watch at any track meet.
Jeremy Johnston, Sr., Florida High
Johnston has made his name as quarterback for the Seminoles football team, but the senior is also one of the area's top field throwers. With a couple of second-place finishes in the javelin to start the season, Johnston is always one to showcase his throwing ability on the field.
Me'Yauney Peoples, Sr., Rickards
Another multi-event star, Peoples is a high-profile jumper and sprinter for the Raiders. Competing in the long jump and triple jump, Peoples also runs the 200-meter dash for the Raiders. Taking home two first places finishes at the Jimmy Everett Invitational in both the long jump and triple jump, Peoples is one to watch on both the track and field this year.
Delvion Zanders, Sr., Godby
A quick sprinter for the Cougars, Zanders is an exciting runner to watch in the dashes. Competing in the 100, 200 and 400-meter dash, Zanders has found success in the 400, placing first at the Tariq Barfield Invitational with a personal best time of 50.38.
Regan Pickles, Fr., North Florida Christian
Keeping the Pickles legacy alive at NFC, the freshman has been a rising star for the Eagles on the field this season, competing in both the pole vault and javelin. Picking up top-five finishes in the pole vault this season at three separate events, Pickles has also placed second in the javelin at the Jesse Forbes Invitational.
Izayah Vickers, 8th, Florida High
The only middle schooler on the list, Vickers is a star in the making. The Florida High young sprinter has placed in the top 10 of high school completion this year, with his highest finish coming at Tariq Barfield Invitational with an eight-place finish in the 200-meter dash. Vickers is one to watch now, and certainly for the future as he's showcased star potential.
Leah Boutwell, Fr., Florida High
Another young star for the Seminoles, Boutwell has started the season in great shape in the 800 and 1600-meter races. Yet to collect a win this year, Boutwell has placed as high as second and is posting quicker times each week, with her last event being the Tariq Barfield Invitational, where she posted two PRs. In an area filled with distance running stars, Boutwell might be on her way to being the next one.
Deltonio Donaldson, Jr., Gadsden County
One of Gadsden County's top runners, Donaldson has established himself as one of the most competitive sprinters in the area. Almost always a lock for a top-10 finish, Donaldson has taken home first in the 400-meter dash this season. Alongside the 400, he also competes in the 100 and 200-meter dash.
Alana Wilson, So., Maclay
One of the Marauders' top young sprinters, Wilson has blazed to start the season with good finishes in the 200 and 400-meter dashes. Placing first in the 400 at the Tariq Barfield, Wilson has got her first win of the year and will look to carry that over into her races in the 100 and 200-meter races.
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
