Torrin Lawrence: Sweet Redemption
It was certainly a sensational season for Torrin Lawrence. He came out of no where to become one of Florida's brightest stars in all three sprints. Logging just a few elite performances late in the season in 2007, he was in the top five in the 100, 200, and 400 in 2008. He announced a signing a scholarship with a big D1 track school, the Univerity of Georgia.
But then there was the state meet. Competing in the 100 meter dash finals, he pulled up hurt. And he was in pain. The injury gave him a disappointing time in that 100 meter race and forced him to forfeit his remaining races. After the state meet, the senior from Jacksonville Andrew Jackson High School had to go through weeks of physical therapy to try to recouperate and salvage his final high school post-season. It wasn't looking good and left a bitter taste in Lawrence's mouth: unfinished business.
Lawrence fought back, and last night at Golden South he got his redemption! He got a good start out of the blocks in the 200, but had some stiff competition in the the next lane: Maryland's top sprinter Justin Murdock. Lawrence could see Murdock around the turn with the lead and so he pushed harder. After the turn, Lawrence grabbed the lead and managed to get a few steps in between himself and Murdock for the win.
The time? 20.77! Wind legal! That huge time put him among the best in the top five times in the nation this year and was the fastest wind-legal time in Florida at that event this season. Lawrence will give the 200 and 400 a go in two weeks at Nike Outdoor. Congrats, Torrin!
Stephanie Schappert: Sweet Redemption, Part 2
Speaking of redemption, how would you like to close your promising high school season by falling twice at the state meet? That's exactly what happened to Stephanie Schappert this year, knocking her out of being a strong contender in both the 1600 and 800 meter races last month at Winter Park.
Fortunately though, Schappert is just a freshman so there would be plenty of time left in her high school career to make another go at it. But Stephanie didn't have to wait another season to get at least a little piece of her pride back.
In the Girls 1600 meter race, favorite Amanda Perkins looked to have it under control. After battling with Grace Vandergrift for a couple of laps, Perkins started to pull away. Schappert and Nicole Carpio hung back in the chase pack but had seemingly lost touch. As Perkins rounded the first curve after the bell lap it looked like she'd easy take the tape.
Then from a distant third place, you could see a spark open up in Stephanie Schappert's stride. Still with a decent sized gap to make up to Vandegrift, I made a seemingly bold prediction in the live updates I was giving in the chat room: "Schappert is going to catch Grace!".
Around the final turn, she finally did catch and pass Vandegrift (another amazing freshman talent). Schappert wasn't done though. She had another gear and she kicked like all of the pent up frustration from the state meet suddenly exploded. But the gap to make up was just so large. Closer and closer she charged the vetran Perkins, and finally with a surge and a lean at the line she had done it! Schappert had won: 5:06.78 1600, 5:08.35 Mile.
Octavious Freeman the Freshman Phenom
This girl can flat out fly! She has just blown the doors off of people all season long in her first year of high school track. She was not touched tonight in either short sprint. The Lake Wales freshman won the 100m in 11.66 and the 200 in 24.02.
After the meet she said she was happy with her performances, but not satisfied completely with the times (she went 23.95 in the prelims).
Watch the interview...
Maryland's Justin Murdock Takes Three Medals
Justin Murdock is the biggest sprint star in Maryland. He came down with his teammates to see what us Southerners could throw at him. He started the night with a 10.53 victory in the 100 meter dash--setting a stadium record. Later he came back to give Torrin Lawrence a run for his money in the 200 meters. Lawrence in a post-meet interview credited Murdock with pushing him to his 20.77 time. Murdock was one lane ahead of Lawrence and held the lead off of the turn before Lawrence pulled away. Murdock though held on for a fantastic time of 21.06. That is the fastest time for a Marylander this year and a big new PR for Murdock.
To close the night, Murdock anchored his 4x400 relay team from Meade, Maryland to a big 3:16.19 victory. That is also the fastest time in Maryland this year.
New York's Charlene Lipsey Breaks 23 Year Meet Record
The pace went out quick! Lipsey said after the race that she was scared when she came through the first lap and heard her 62.2 second split. "I had gone out one race in 64 and just died automatically," Lipsey said, "so when I heard my time I was scared." But she didn't die out this time.
At the first lap mark, Brittany Koziara had Lipsey in her sights... about 10 meters back and possibly anticipated the leader slowly coming back to her. But Lipsey did not. During the last 300 meters, Lipsey multiplied her lead gaining more space step by step between her and Koziara.
Lipsey came through the finish in 2:08.25, which broke the converted 23 year old meet record held by Shownda Martin of 2:09.0h for 880 Yards. Lipsey was pleased with her victory, her Athelte of the Meet award, and a new PR.
New York's season is much later than Florida's... Lipsey will compete next weekend in her state meet! And then the following weekend she will be at Nike Outdoor Nationals in North Carolina.
Brianna Frazier: New PR in the 400 Meters
Raines High sophomore Brianna Frazier cranked out a superb performance last night. With Georgian Michelle Stegall breathing down her neck down the homestretch, Frazier kept her at bay and fought off the challenge. She crossed the line .22 in front of the challenger with a new personal best time of 54.26, which improves her time and maintains her position as the third fastest Florida girl at 400 meters this season.
Frazier also competed in the 200 meter prelims (did not make the finals) and on her team's 4x100 meter relay team. Her team from Jacksonville won the first heat with a very nice time of 47.25, but ended in fourth overall behind a faster second heat where Oak Ridge set a new meet record.
CJ Lockhart Closes Big to Win Boys 800
In one of the most exciting races of the night, FPC's CJ Lockhart closes with a huge kick to win the 800.... more to come...
Joe Franklin Misses Goal