Northwestern’s boys among two track and field teams disqualified after brawl at regionals
A brawl broke out at the conclusion of the Region 4-3A track and field championships Thursday at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami, marring one of the biggest meets of the season, and leaving Northwestern’s and Rockledge’s boys’ teams disqualified from the upcoming Class 3A championships.
The Florida High School Athletic Association has begun an investigation into the fight and both schools will be able to appeal the decision, which was made by meet director. The Bulls’ and Raiders’ results from the region championship were also erased.
The 3A championship is set for May 19 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.
Northwestern has won three of the last five 3A titles and eight FHSAA championships overall, and won the the 400- and 3,200-meter relays last year. Rockledge has won a pair of 3A titles in the 1970s and 1980s. Neither will get to compete for any this year, barring an appeals process.
The melee began at the end of the 1,600 relay, which was a close race between the Bulls and Raiders, with Rockledge just edging ahead at the finish line. The altercation involved both students and adults, and police needed to intervene.
The two programs entered the meet ranked among the top six in Class 3A according to FLRunners.com.
Northwestern athletic director Andre Williams did not immediately respond when contacted by the Miami Herald.
Neither school’s girls’ teams were impacted by the decision.
As a result of the disqualification, Belen Jesuit was awarded the regional team championship and Plantation American Heritage was the runner-up.
RESULTS
Team scores - Boys: 1. Belen Jesuit 106.5, 2. American Heritage 83, 3. Dillard 75.5, 4. Boyd Anderson 60, 5. Norland 58.5; Girls: 1. Northwestern 123, 2. Dillard 112, 3. Rockledge 101, 4. Somerset Academy 63.5, 5. Northeast 50.
Boys’ individual winners - 100: Chris Johnson (Dil) 10.45; 100 ambulatory: Kamari Graham (Hom) 12.42; 200: Chris Johnson (Dil) 20.66; 200 ambulatory: Kamari Graham (Hom) 24.43; 400: Mekhi Hoo (AH) 48.65; 400 ambulatory: Nevian Brooks (Am) 1:08.55; 800: Joseph Sacarras (Bel) 1:56.79; 800 ambulatory: Nevian Brooks (Am) 2:51.66; 1600: Joseph Sacarras (Bel) 4:18.27; 3200: Marcelo Mantecon (Bel) 9:14.38; 110 hurdles: Matthew McKnight (Nor) 14.39; 400 hurdles: Matthew McKnight (Nor) 54.43; 400 relay: American Heritage 40.55; 1600 relay: Dillard 3:19.23; 3200 relay: Belen 7:58.17; High jump: Amani Drayton (BA) 1.92m; Pole vault: Henry Amador (NW) 4.05m; Long jump: Edward Louis (Dil) 6.92m; Triple jump: George Sterr (AM) 13.75m; Shot put: Christien Moreau (AH) 17.35m; Shot put ambulatory: Kamari Graham (Hom) 10.29m; Discus: Christien Moreau (AH) 44.86m; Javelin: Chris Harris (SebR) 46.54m; Javelin ambulatory: Kamari Graham (Hom) 27.92m.
Girls’ individual winners - 100: Aleesa Samuel (SomP) 11.62; 200: Aleesa Samuel (SomP) 24.12; 400: Desiree Frazier (BA) 56.36; 800: Samantha Kavanagh (NE) 2:10.88; 1600: Malinda Underwood (Rock) 5:01.41; 3200: Malinda Underwood (Rock) 11:09.00; 100 hurdles: Aleesa Samuel (SomP) 13.52; 400 hurdles: Shekynah Tresvant (NW) 1:02.03; 400 relay: Northwestern 46.83; 1600 relay: Dillard 3:48.21; 3200 relay: Dillard 9:13.70; High jump: Mia Iglesias (Lour) 1.62m; Pole vault: Sydney Nicholson (AM) 3.60m; Long jump: Nyla Christian (NW) 5.95m; Triple jump: Shakynah Tresvant (NW) 12.04m; Shot put: Lauren Kirby (SomP) 13.17m; Discus: Lauren Kirby (SomP) 38.64m; Javelin: Kyla Moore (Rock) 34.92m.
