By Corey Davis
Suwannee Democrat
Mayo —
ORANGE PARK-Before they even took the track, Hamilton County boys faced an enormous 28.5 deficit.
However, thanks to several top five finishes in numerous events, the Trojans were able to overcome the deficit and win their first district title in two years and in the process end Branfordís two-year title run.
Hamilton County held off Branford 190.0 to 180.50 to win the District 5-1A title. Host St. Johns Country Day was third with 87.5, Bell was fourth with 63.0, Lafayette was fifth with 57.0, Hilliard was sixth with 38.0 and Trenton was seventh with 16.0 points.
“What a great bunch of kids we have,” Hamilton County coach Ron Hall said. “I have never spotted someone 30 points and come back and win. Hopefully this title will encourage more kids to come out for track next season.”
Two days earlier in Branford, St. Johns and Branford were the lone representatives to compete in the pole vault competition. Branford swept the first three places behind Aubrey Sapp (7-06), Laz Hernandez (7-00) and Billy Peck (6-06) and Mason Tyler (6-00) tied for fourth to grab an early 28.5 lead heading into the rest of the meet completed Thursday at St. Johns.
Anthony Ingram (21-01) and Antonio Turner (20-10) went first and second in the long jump ahead of Branford’s John Perry (20-09) and also got a seventh place finish from Alfonso Willis (19-01), to cut the lead quickly picking up 20 points in the first event. Lafayette’s Austin Anderson (19-05) finished fifth in the event putting the Hornets on the board.
Hamilton surged ahead in the second event as the Trojans took first, fourth, sixth and seventh in the triple jump to gain an additional 20 points. Turner (43-03) won the event ahead of Perry (42-04), while Simmons (40-11), William Hill (40-02) and Willis (38-06) went fourth, sixth and seventh.
Ingram (6-04) and Gerald Bristol (6-02) finished second and third in the high jump just ahead of Branford’s William Clemons (5-06).
Chester Bristol (40-09) placed second in the shot put ahead of fourth place Branford’s Garret Herrin (35-06), while Destin Walker (35-06) was fifth ahead of Peck (34-04). Lafayette’s Jared Sampson (33-02) picked up one point for the Hornets with an eighth place finish.
Simmons (111-06) finished third in the discus, five feet ahead of Branford’s David Bass (106-07). Anderson (102-10) was sixth ahead of Peck (101-03) and Hamilton’s Damon Bryant (101-00), who finished eighth.
Ingram (11.32) out leaned Perry (11.32) in a photo finish to win the 100 dash. Turner (11.33) lost a photo finish with Bell’s Bradley Denham (11.33) to finish fourth.
Perry (23.42) avenged his 100 loss by winning the 200 over Hamilton’s Ingram (23.64) , William Hill (24.39) and Richard Williams (24.54).
Clemons (54.38) won the 400 dash, however Kavin Dobson (56.82), Gerald Bristol (56.88), Saul Speights (57.46) and Williams (57.75) took fourth-seventh in the event ahead of Branford’s Vincent Ruiz (58.79).
Ryan Horn (2:09.94) won the 800, five second ahead of runner-up Hamilton’s Terry Humphrey (2:14.29). Anderson (2:15.29) and teammate Arturo Negrete (2:15.86) finished third and fourth for the Hornets ahead of Hamiltonís Walter Jones (2:18.49), Lafayette’s Josue Diaz (2:23.80) and Branfordís Sapp (2:24.60).
David Bass (4:54.00) easily won the 1600 run ahead of Humphrey (5:02.30). Lafayette’s Carlos Negrete (5:08.00), Branford’s Cameron Daughtry (5:12.00), Lafayette’s Julio Moreno (5:21.00), Lafayette’s Samuel Delgado (5:22.10) and Hamilton’s Walter Jones (5:22.40) finished fourth through eighth.
Bass (11:18.20) made it a sweep by winning the 3200 run ahead of Humphrey (11:38.00), Daughtry (12:04.10), Lafayette’s Octavio Escamalia (12:42.60), Branford’s Justin Jones (13:07.10) and Branford’s David Escobar (13:22.70).
Branford’s Sebastian Smith (18.55) held off Hamilton’s Daniel Harris (18.62), Lafayette’s Devin McCarter (18.92), Hamilton’s Deonte Simmons (18.93) and Branford’s Matt Thody (20.62) to finish second in the 110 hurdles.
Thody (46.07) held off Hamilton’s Harris (49.15) and Simmons (49.15) to finish third in the 300 hurdles, while Harris and Simmons finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Hamilton County (45.07) won the 4x100 relay over Bell (45.31), St. Johns (46.65), Branford (48.15) and Lafayette (49.45).
Branford (3:44.29) won the 4x400 relay ahead of Bell (3:46.60), St. Johns (3:48.18), Hamilton County (3:53.49) and Lafayette (4:15.59).
Lafayette (9:07.90) had the lead for nearly the entire race in the 4x800 relay before Branford (9:04.10) stormed back in the final lap to win the relay. Hamilton County (10:02.50) finished third well ahead of Bell (10:27.60) and St. Johns (11:58.50).
The top four from each event move on to the Region I-1A meet Friday at the Bolles School in Jacksonville. The top four from regionalís advance to the Class 1A state meet April 30 in Winter Park.
