13 high school track & field athletes to watch this season around Panama City
The high school track and field season of 2024 is set to commence in Panama City and Bay County this week, featuring a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent ready to make their mark.
District meets will be held April 25 at Tommy Oliver Stadium, region meets on May 5 at the University of North Florida and the state championships are scheduled for May 15-18 at UNF Hodges Stadium.
Here are the runners and field performers to watch this upcoming track season, as nominated by coaches around the county.
Margaret Bartlow
North Bay Haven - Long Distance
The sophomore is returning as the district champion in the 1600 and 3200 and placed sixth in the state meet.
Jalynn Burke
Bozeman - Sprints
Burke will be focusing on the 400-meter event for Bozeman, adding versatility to the team's roster.
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Shaniyah Carlos
Mosley - Sprints
The sophomore is the top returning female sprinter in Bay County with personal bests of 12.54 seconds in the 100, 26.31 in the 200 and 61.71 in the 400.
Jomy Cepero-Vasallo
Mosley - High Jump
A state finalist as a junior in high jump, clearing 5 feet, and silver and bronze medalist in county and district meets, respectively.
Ernecia Deshazier
Bay High - Discus
The reigning Bay County and Class 2A District 1 champion returns to defend her title. Deshazier ended the season with a bronze medal at regionals and an eighth-place finish at state.
Kennedy Flores
Arnold - Middle Distance
Was part of Arnold's 4x800 relay last year that finished second in the county and was eighth in the 800 meters.
Payton Garner
Bozeman - Sprints
Garner has the potential for a strong showing in the 100 and 200 races.
Travis Harper
Bozeman - Sprints
Harper will be a contender in the sprint events, specializing in the 100 and 200 races.
Ethan Priest
Bozeman - Long Distance
Priest will be near the top of a competitive long-distance group in the upcoming season.
Jaden Sapp
Mosley - High Jump
The pole vault county champion and district high jump champ returns after reaching the state finals as a junior in high jump clearing 6 feet, 3.5 inches, placing 17th.
Wesley Tilghman
Mosley - Javelin
The Troy University signee was a state finalist as a junior in javelin throwing 46.68 meters, placing 11th.
Nicolas Waddell
Mosley - Long Distance
The 2023 boys cross country runner of the year returns after a top-eight finish in the district, top 15 in the region and top 60 in the state and will compete in the 1600- and 3200-meter runs.
Logan Zermeno
Bozeman - Sprints, Hurdles
Finished in the top 10 in the 200 and third in the county 400-meter hurdles.
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City-area high school track and field athletes to watch 2024
