Even with state champion Chelsi Williams limited, Jenkins building deep girls track roster
LAKELAND — For George Jenkins girls track coach Curtis Williams, the goal on Tuesday was to simply continue to develop the young talent that he believes could give the Eagles a strong enough team to perhaps win another region title next month.
His daughter, six-time state champion Chelsi Williams, has been battling a hamstring injury all season and is limiting herself to the long jump as she tries to get healthy. Still, there was a lot for the head coach to like as both the Jenkins boys and girls dominated the Lakeland City Meet.
The Jenkins coach has been raving about the young talent on his team, and that was on display. Freshman Michaelah Williams won the 400 meters in 59.75 seconds, sophomore Geriah Street won the 200 (25.73) in support of veteran teammates Jaa’Ln McBride, Jade McBride and Chelsi.
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“We just wanted to get ready for county and let these young kids compete and just see what we have,” Curtis Williams said. “Michaelah Williams, the freshman, she’s a beast. She went 59-something in the 400. Geriah Street, I usually use her as an 800 runner. I found out she can sprint so I’ve been grooming her for the 100 and 200. We’re going to be pretty good in districts, and I think we’re going to be pretty decent in regionals.”
Jaa’Ln McBride won two events, the 800 (2:17.36) and the high jump (5-01.75).
Chelsi Williams is the key. She hopes to run all four of her events beginning in districts, as she’s been a lock for 40 points in districts and regionals. After winning the triple jump and finishing third in the 100 hurdles last week at the FSU Relays, she competed in the long jump for the first time this season and won with a mark of 19-02. It ranks fourth in 4A and second in the county by a quarter inch behind Winter Haven’s Dashanique Henry.
Despite the injury, Chelsi is ranked No. 1 in Florida in the triple jump, and No. 2 in 4A in the 100 hurdles with a time she beat in six of eight high school races last year.
Although her hamstring has been improving, she rested Monday because it didn’t feel right, but she said she felt better on Tuesday.
“With county coming up, I wanted to open her up because I thought she was ready to go, but yesterday was a setback,” Curtis Williams said.
Chelsi hopes to compete in at least the 100 hurdles, triple jump and long jump at county.
“She hasn’t been running enough to be in shape for the 400 (hurdles),” Curtis Williams said.
Even without Chelsi, Jenkins still won both hurdles events, as junior Synia Sybil’s won the 100 hurdles (15:24) and freshman Tori Gibson the 400 (1:11.57).
The Jenkins girls also got wins from Tawana Chiyausku in the triple jump (35-03.5), Daniela Peraza-Vasquez in the discus (109-8), and Taylor Gibson in the javelin (104-5).
Jaade McBride was second in the 1,600.
The only other two-event winner for the girls was Lakeland Christian’s Emma Wilkinson, who won the 1,600 (5:23.56) and the 3,200 (11:53.78).
Other winners were: Victory Christian’s Addie Lemmond in the 100 (12.96) and Lakeland Christian’s Kate Scarborough in the pole vault (9-5.5).
Jenkins boys dominate
The rebuilding George Jenkins boys easily won the team competition and were led by Anthony Murray and Caden Baker. Murray won the high jump (6-2.75) and long jump (20-11.5) and took second in the triple jump (42-1.75). Baker won the 800 (2:00.86) and the 1,600 (4:22.91).
Jah'son McCalla won the 400 (51.56), Clifford Robinson won the 110 hurdles (15.71), and Anthony Jenkins won the pole vault (11-11).
The other two-event winner for the boys was Lakeland's Michael Walker, who won the discus (147-11) and javelin (151-1).
Other boys winners were:
Lakeland – DJ Dobie in the 100 (11.37), Derajah Hardy in the 200 (22.91), Malik Morris in the shot put (50-10.25), Kavon McKinney in the triple jump (44-4.75).
Lakeland Christian – Paulos Kicklighter in the 3,200 (10:33.65), Cooper Philpot in the 400 hurdles (59.42).
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: George Jenkins dominates Lakeland city girls track meet without Chelsi Williams at full strength
