Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Thomas, Ford to defend state titles
MIAMI — Northeast High’s Damion Thomas and Jan’Taijah Ford are headed back to Bradenton to defend their state championships.
Thomas, an LSU commit who is gunning for his third consecutive state title in the 110 hurdles, took first place at the Region 4-3A meet Friday at Traz Powell Stadium with a time of 13.59.
“Looking for a third straight,” said Thomas, who holds the second-best high school time in the country with a 13.43 at the Texas Relays. “It’s been a blessing to come back year after year and win it. This year I want to go out with a bang and break the state record.”
Ford, just a sophomore, is looking to repeat in the 400 meters. She won the region title Friday with a time of 54.63 and placed second in the 200 to Miami Northwestern’s Twanisha Terry with a time of 23.83.
“It just pushes me to go faster,” said Ford of finishing second in the 200.
Miami Northwestern won the girls team title with 213 points. Northeast was second with 113, followed by Dillard (60) and Boyd Anderson (48.50).
Northwestern also took the boys crown with 105.50 points to Sebastian River’s 90. Blanche Ely placed third. The top four finishers at regionals advance to the FHSAA Championships next Friday and Saturday at IMG Academy in Bradenton.
Thomas also placed second in the boys 200 to Miami Norland speedster Tyrese Cooper. The Norland sophomore won the regional crown in the 100 (10.49), 200 (21.45) and 400 meters (45.69).
In the field events, Blanche Ely junior Tayondric Crowder won the long jump with a leap of 22-1.75. Boyd Anderson junior Avery Thornton (22-0.25) and senior Tard Smith (21-7.25) finished third and fourth, respectively.
Dwyer senior Ivan Piccioni won the pole vault with a jump of 15-0.
Northeast junior Carshaylah Harrison placed second in the girls 100 hurdles (14.25) and third in the 300 hurdles (42.93).
Dwyer junior Roodolph Antoine finished second in the 100 with a time of 10.66. Dillard senior Roshelle Francois was second in the girls 100 (12.16).
Dillard junior Jada Bryan was second in the 1,600 with a 5:23.12 and Boyd Anderson junior Nikyia Wooten was third in the 3,200 (12:06.04). Ely sophomore Sukeil Foucha was fourth in the boys 1,600 in 4:37.07.
Miami Northwestern swept the 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 relays on both the boys’ and girls’ sides.
Elsewhere in the boys field events, Ely junior James Harris placed second in the high jump (6-2) and fourth in the triple jump (43.9.75).
Ely junior Carlton Cleophat (138-10) took third in the discus and Boynton Beach sophomore Courtney Harris (134-02) was fourth.
In the girls field events, South Broward’s Destiny Castillo and Northeast’s Kameliah Style both took second.
Boyd Anderson senior Jayann Johnson placed third in the shot (40-11.75). Palm Beach Lakes senior Ciara Hale was third in the triple jump (36-7.50).