Comeback Caroline
Wells needed late surge to win 7th and final state championship
GAINESVILLE — Caroline Wells waited until after finishing her final Florida state championship race to reveal that she’s been at less than full strength throughout her senior season.
But minor ailments that forced major adjustments in training didn’t stop the Winter Springs star from capping an illustrious high school career with her sixth and seventh Florida High School Athletic Association state titles.
The Stanford signee repeated as champion in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at Percy Beard Track on the University of Florida campus. Both victories were delayed by a 2 hour lightning stoppage and neither was easy.
For the first time this season, Wells had to come from behind to win the 3,200. Lake Minneola senior Lily Henne ran stride for stride behind her for five laps and then boldly passed the state record holder to take the lead with three laps to go and nobody else in contention.
Henne, an Alabama recruit, pushed ahead by more than 10 meters before Wells responded with a courageous surge. She took the lead back with about 330 meters remaining and won with a time of 10 minutes, 32.22 seconds.
That is faster than all but two other Florida girls have run this year, but well off Wells’ record best of 10:08.77 from 2021. It was enough for her to remain unbeaten for the season.
“My legs haven’t been 100% fresh,” Wells said. “Just to be able to push through this. … I’m super pumped about it. This is what shows your heart.”
Henne was second with a 10:35.87 that was more than 20 seconds faster than her previous best and the two girls congratulated each other after their duel.
“I was so happy I could do my best today,” Henne said. “I just went for it. This was Caroline’s night. But I don’t think I could have run better than I did.”
The 1,600 wasn’t as dramatic as Wells took charge from the start with a 67-second opening lap and won with a season-best 4:50.56 time. Her junior best was 4:44.90.
Henne finished strong to place second with a career-best 4:52.74.
Wells won three track events as a junior — including a stirring anchor leg to win the 4x800 relay — and then set state records for the 3,200 (10:08.77) and 5,000 (16:16.02) in national invitationals during the summer.
She also claimed 3A cross country state titles as a junior and senior.
Jones senior Lorenzo Laureano ran a 1:55.84 time that would have placed fourth in the boys 800. But he was disqualified for elbowing another runner, according to meet officials.