Track & Field Chargers Place at the Florida State Meet
Source/Author: Coach Cameron
May 17, 2024
The Florida State Track & Field Meet took place at Hodges Stadium on the campus of North Florida University on Wednesday, May 15. After all the hard work to make it through Districts and Regionals, the Shorecrest Chargers brought 14 athletes to the meet. After a rain delay, the competition began with three Chargers competing.
Khali C. '28 competed in the pole vault competition as an eighth grader, while Layla Petrovich '24 and Sonoma Kasica '24 competed in the javelin throw in their senior year. Three time State Champion Sonoma lead the competition until the final throw for all athletes. The competitor directly before Sonoma put together an amazing throw, putting Sonoma in second place with only one more throw to go. Everyone from Shorecrest instantly felt the weight of the throw to come for Sonoma. With everything on the line, Sonoma calmly spoke to Coach Brown, gathered herself, and went out and threw one of the best marks of her career to take back first place, and win the event. Sonoma Kasica '24 solidified her place in history as a four-time State Champion in that event!
On the track Kaja Dionne '24 ran an amazing 100 meter dash and made the podium with 7th place. Shortly after the girls 4x100 meter relay (Kaja Dionne '24, Claire James '27, Alanis Job '24, Indi Wells '27) were able to do the same by dominating their first heat, earning them a 6th place finish overall in the state with a time of 49.64. The next event had Kaja in the 400 meter dash. Coach Cameron commented, "At the start of the race she came out with conviction and purpose. She knew this was her moment, and did not waiver." Kaja secured a fourth place overall in a time of 57.49. She was also able to earn the elusive school record of 57.64, which she had been trying to break for some time.
The boy’s 4x100 relay (Ed. Mitchem '25, Enrique Negron '25, Ahmad Crumity '25, Nick Bearden '25) also had a strong showing, running their best time of the season 43.90, not far off of the current record. Enrique also had a quick turnaround to run an amazing 400 meter dash with a personal best of 50.32, good for 7th place.
In distance running, Alex Estremera '26 had amazing performances in both the 1600 and 800 meter. This included a personal best of over two seconds in the 800 with a time of 2:22.04. Back on the field, Ahmad Crumity '25 had an outstanding day by breaking his school records on both the long jump with a jump of 6.94 meters to earn third place in the state, and triple jump (13.79m) to earn 5th place. In Discus, Layla Petrovich '24 finished third place with a mark of 32.88. The final event of the night for Shorecrest was the 4x400 relay (Claire James '27, Indi Wells '27, Alex Estremera '26, Kaja Dionne '24). After a rough start, Indi showed a lot of grit and was able to close the gap. Alex did the same and Shorecrest was in 5th place when going into the final exchange. The leading team had at least a 30-35 meter gap lead on the field. Kaja got the baton and took off running. It was obvious she had one thing on her mind -- pass them all. The attempt seemed impossible to most viewers in the stands. By the time the athletes were at the last straightaway Kaja was only about 8m behind the leading team. She pushed to the very end, and the competitor had to lean in order to keep Kaja from passing her in the last two meters. The girls were able to break the school record set the year before in a time of 4:07.21. It was a great day for Shorecrest all around as the athletes demonstrated true Charger spirit!
New School Records:
Derek Baxter '25 Discus — 37.08 meters
Layla Petrovich '24 Discus –- 36.25 meters
Claire James '27 400 meter Hurdles — 1:13.92
Kaja Dionne '24 400 meters — 57.49
Claire James '27, Indi Wells '27, Alex Estremera '26, Kaja Dionne '24 4x400 - 4:07.21
Ahmad Crumity '25 Long Jump — 6.94 meters
Ahmad Crumity '25 Triple Jump —13.79 meters
