Here are the 53 Gainesville-area track, flag football and tennis players to watch in 2024

During the spring season in the Gainesville area, much of the attention goes to baseball and softball and other successful teams. Some focus on lacrosse, especially state contender Oak Hall.

But what about the other sports? You have track and field with star athletes competing at states every year. Same with tennis. And then there’s the state’s fastest growing sport – girls flag football, with numerous area teams debuting this season.

With that in mind, here are 53 track and field, flag football and tennis players to watch this season.

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Vote for the Sun's Athlete of the Week! You decide! Vote for the Gainesville-area athlete of the week for March 4-10

This list is based on names included in a questionnaire sent to all athletic directors. If you would like to add more names, please email them to Nram@gannett.com.

Also, please remember to vote for the player of the year for each respective sport at the polls below.

Good luck to all the athletes this season!

Track and Field

Riley Smith, Buchholz Boys

Smith is not only the best runner in the area, but he is one of the best in Florida, and of late, he’s been making a claim for the best in the country. Smith, a Gator commit, is also guaranteed to find success at states, but the Bobcats as a whole should do well thanks to the presence of Evan Fleming and Primaya Johnson.

Sophia Kendrick, Lafayette Girls

The freshman Kendrick hopes to find success for a Hornets squad that competes in a district mostly out of Tallahassee. She’s joined by fellow freshman Brandy Posada and sophomore Carra Clark.

Alanna Doyle, PK Yonge Girls

The eighth grader has already began to make her mark for the Blue Wave with top finishes in early season meets. On the boy’s side, she’s joined by senior Zavier Doualehi.

Jadyn Mosley, Branford Girls

Mosley, a senior javelin thrower, came in ninth place last season at Class 1A states. She’s joined by boys senior Austin Malaguti, who finished in 14^th in states.

Flag Football

Eriel Baker, Columbia

The junior QB headlines the inaugural season for the Tigers, who are off to a 2-3 start. Other girls on the gridiron this spring include WR Mia Brasel and MLB Trenece Johnson.

Brooke Zeller, Santa Fe

The Raiders were one of the area’s few local teams last season, and Zeller will lead Santa Fe behind center. She’s joined by Ranilah Smith, Agharea Young and Nat Williams.

Arnayshia Griffin, Bradford

Griffin threw an astonishing 44 TDs for the 16-1 Tornadoes, and as a sophomore, we’ll have many more opportunities to see her excel. For now, she’s joined by WR Nichelle Brown and Ajiyah Jackson.

Tennis

Owen Van Boven, PK Yonge Boys

The Blue Wave’s No. 1 singles player was Second Team Gainesville Sun All-Area last season and returns to lead a PK squad that features freshmen Matyas Krupicka, Asher Case and Logan Ossi, sophomore Earlie Taylor and seventh grader Isaiah Bayon.

Jane Carmichael, PK Yonge Girls

Another All-Area Second Team selectee last season, Carmichael went 4-2 in singles play and 5-2 in doubles play. She’s joined by Katelin Ossi and Isabella Acuna.

Colten Mitchell, Columbia Boys

The Tigers' No. 1 singles player this season. Their lineup is filled out by junior Nathan Chowdhury and sophomores Ethan Handsborough, Daniel Zheng and Cayden Rimert.

Gyanna Gao, Eastside Girls

Gao, Second Team All-Area last year, went 10-2 in singles and 4-2 in doubles in 2023. Other Rams to keep an eye on include senior Rachel Turney and sophomore Sarah Yan.

Alaina Grey, GHS Girls

The senior went 8-1 in singles and was First Team All-Area; other names to watch include sophomore Audrey Tierney and junior Sasha Folkers.

Jordan Hendricks, Union County Girls

Captain and first seed for the Fightin’ Tigers. Morgan Kirby serves as the No. 2 player. Meanwhile, on the boys side, Kendre Stephens and Jack Wells take the top two spots.

Derek Jesseman, Santa Fe Boys

The Raiders lost their two All-Area selectees from 2023, but Jesseman returns to lead SF along with Carter Davis.

Jacob Zeig, Buchholz Boys

Zeig, a First Team All-Area honoree from last season, leads a star-studded Bobcat lineup along with fellow first teamer Michael Peters, second teamer Barrett Mitchell, William Schecter, Philip Matchev. Leal Hogan-Grant tops the Bobcats singles group. On the girls side, top player is second teamer Emily Lu.

Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville-area track and field, flag football, tennis to watch in 2024