KEYS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES FINE-TUNE FOR DISTRICTS

Alaric Rodriguez is a Double Winner for ’Canes

Marathon’s top-seeded Adrien Holdinga lost his match in a 9-8 tiebreaker. Holdinga was the top Keys performer at districts this past week.

BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

TRACK & FIELD DISTRICTS AT PALMER

Coral Shores hosted its final meet of the season to compete against Somerset South Homestead on April 12. The Upper Keys Hurricanes blew by the Hurricanes of Somerset, 86-32. Alaric Rodriguez was the big winner for the ’Canes, winning first place in the one and two mile races. Ethan Margut took first in the 800m while hurdlers Xavier Johnson and Ambrose Sanchez won the 110m high and 400m intermediate events. Sanchez was also part of the ’Canes’ winning 4x400m relay team along with teammates Sean Andrews, Sean Harm and William Davila. In the field, Jamoris Davis won the triple jump while Eddie Holly took first in shot put and Evan Osipoz won the discus event.

The Lady ’Canes outscored Somerset 53-24, with first-place victories going to Niveah Howard in the 100m, Maya Gaden in the 400m, Jasmine Hollis in the 100m high hurdles and Sammy Bates in the 800m. Bates ran a leg of Coral Shores’ winning 4x400m team as well, with Sarina Huerta, Kacelyn Hollis and Jenna Mandozzi rounding out the relay crew. Throwers Syndey Eysenbach and Jennille Arias won the shot put and discus events, respectively.

Key West took the week off from competition, resting for its FHSAA 2A District 16 meet at Tropical Park on April 19. The Conchs have numerous athletes in contention for a district title, especially in the field events.

Marathon put the finishing touches on its own field events on April 12, hosting an intersquad throwing and jumping minimeet. A handful of Conchs attended to get in another official event to qualify for districts. The Dolphins are strong in the field, particularly in the pole vault, the specialty of head coach Darby Sheehan.

Coral Shores’ home meet was the final Keys competition prior to districts. Marathon and Coral Shores compete against one another and the rest of the FHSAA 1A District 16 challengers on Thursday, April 20 at Palmer Trinity School.

Courtside action came to a close for Monroe County prep tennis teams last week when all three squads competed at districts. No individual athletes or doubles pairs advanced beyond the district-level tournament, but that does not mean there were not some hard-fought matches. Perennial powerhouse Gulliver Prep put an end to Key West’s season in class 2A action. 1A Marathon and Coral Shores endured multiple rain delays in their singles and cancellations in doubles play. Those teams suffered the effects of redistricting recently, pitting them against some of the highest-caliber private schools in the state. Small, private schools often have the luxury of year-round professional coaching, making it extremely difficult for public school players to advance.