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Abate, Collier get Raider wins

By Randy Lefko Sports Editor
Posted 5/1/19

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Abate, Collier get Raider wins


Posted

PENSACOLA – Orange Park High senior high jumper John Abate answered any doubt as to his ‘big game’ prowess after a stunning district championship win last week at a school record height by winning the region 1-3A title on Saturday at the region 1-3A track and field championships in Pensacola.

Abate joined teammate Alex Collier on the top podium step with Collier running past his opponents in the 400 meters and 100 meters to add two more trophies to his living room trophy case. Collier won the 400 by overtaking a lane eight leader and blasting to the finish with a 10-12 yard lead.

“I’m going for my 46 at state,” said Collier.

Abate, who also took second in the 300 hurdles with another best time at 38.66 seconds, cleared 6’-5” to win the region title and take another Clay County showdown with defending region champion Bryce Quiett of Middleburg. Quiett finished third at 6’-4” with both heading to state.

In the 100, Collier, who owns a few sub 11 second splits, won in 11.09 on the windy day, but blasted the 400 field with a 47.24 split.

“It was really windy and the starter took a long pause between the set and firing the gun,” said Collier. “I didn’t want to false start so I sat in the blocks. I was last out, but ran everyone down.”

Collier’s 47.24 split is ranked number one in Class 3A just ahead of Miami Norland’s Tyrese Cooper’s 48.34. Cooper bested Collier in the Bob Hayes Invite 100 in March with a 10.53 split with Collier fifth in 10.97.

“He (Cooper) and I are pretty cool and if he can run, he said he would,” said Collier. “He’s got a knee issue, but he said he would come to the meet either way.”

In the Bob Hayes 400, Cooper held off a surging Collier to win in 47.16 with Collier at 47.33. Collier’s best is a 47.24.

Class 3A track qualifiers

OPHS, MHS in region 1-3A

Girls Discus

(43.74m, Alyssia Richard, Miami Northwestern)

13th Destiny Basden, OPHS, 35.27, 6th in region 1-3A

Boys 100 Meters

(10.49, Tyrese Cooper, Miami Norland)

17th Alex Collier, OPHS, 11.09, 1st in region 1-3A

Boys 200 meters

(21.29, Cameron Leiba, Dillard)

20th Keanan Restall, OPHS, 22.71, 3rd in region 1-3A

Boys 400 meters

(47.24, Alex Collier, OPHS, Region 1-3A champion)

2nd Tyrese Cooper, Miami Norland, 48.34

Boys 1600 meters

(4:24.37, Hugh Brittenham, Estero)

20th John Bear, OPHS, 4:33.58, 7th in region 1-3A

Boys 300 Hurdles

(37.30, Jevon Williams, Ely)

5th John Abate, OPHS, 38.66, 2nd in region 1-3A

Boys 4 x 400 relay

(3:14.71, Miami Carol City)

12th. OPHS (John Abate, Alex Collier, Sean Dixon, Diego Soto, Cainan Walker, Kadin Elmore) 3:22.68, 4th in region 1-3A

Boys High Jump

(2.02m, Donald Chaney, Belen Jesuit Prep)

2nd John Abate, OPHS, 1.98m, Region 1-3A champion

6th Bryce Quiett, MHS, 1.93m, 3rd in region 1-3A