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Sliver gives Oakleaf Knights track title

By Randy Lefko Sports Editor

Posted 4/13/22

ORANGE PARK - Distance running versus sprinters versus field events is always a good argument, but the results fueled one of the closest Clay County Track Championships in recent history as the …

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Sliver gives Oakleaf Knights track title

Posted Wednesday, April 13, 2022 12:00 pm

By Randy Lefko Sports Editor

ORANGE PARK - Distance running versus sprinters versus field events is always a good argument, but the results fueled one of the closest Clay County Track Championships in recent history as the Oakleaf High Knights boys track team eeked out a 143.0-142.5 win over Fleming Island Thursday at Orange Park High School. Ridgeview, with some top sprinters’ action from Eddie Whipple, Nappoleon Cion and Jerry Vil, was a step away in third at 136 with the Panthers going 1-2-3 (Clifford Bois, Miles Burris, Jabrien Henderson) in the 100 to keep the action percolating. Also, Ridgeview had Oliver Mathurin at fifth and Jabari Barnes at sixth in the 100.

For the girls, the Lady Knights dominated with a scorching performance from senior Arianna Eason who won the triple and long jumps then smoked the field in the 100 (just ahead of freshman sensation teammate Kaymin Sales) to push Oakleaf to the team title over Fleming Island 196.0-112.0 with Clay third at 98.

Fleming Island’s boys 4 x 800 relay opened the track events with win over Middleburg to start the day, then came back with a 1-2-4 finish in the 1600 led by Chase Van Ginkel’s 5:17.63 split, with Oakleaf countering with a 1-2 finish in the 400; Josber Stimphil and Jalen Jones with Fleming Island’s Garrett Sheets third, before Fleming Island went 1-2-3 in the 800; Alex Bendig, Roman Mollicone and Luke Melson and Fleming Island’s Jacob Campbell winning the 3200 to keep the race tight.

Oakleaf got wins from Joel Wallace-vera in the pole vault (11’-3.75”), a three foot win in shot put from Jordan Mitchell (47’09”) and a 1-3 finish in the 300 hurdles from Camari Davis and Michael Henry to keep pace.

Stimphil teamed with teammate Devin Collins for a 2-3 finish behind Ridgeview’s Jerry Vil in the 200 as the Panther sprinters tried to steal points from the frontrunners.

Eason cruising into post season competition mode with champion efforts at the Bob Hayes Invite, the Don Hall Invite and now the Clay County Championships with a 17’9” win in the long jump, a 37’-10” win in triple jump and an explosive win in the 100 over Sales; 12.69-12.73.

Both would boost the second and change win over Orange Park in the girls 4 x 100 relay with Eason anchoring. Oakleaf also crushed the 4 x 400 relay field with a 4:15.01 to 4:24.97 gap on Orange Park.

In the girls 800, Oakleaf’s Sierra Barrera continued her slow tick down of her best times with a 2:22.59 win in blustery wind conditions.