- April 28, 2024
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Justin Pacifico of Flagler Palm Coast had never made it to the state meet in the 800-meter run, but that didn’t stop him from assuming he was going to win it at this year’s event on Saturday, May 2, at the University of North Florida.
Pacifico started toward the end of the pack at the beginning of the run, but as the race continued, he made his way into third place. With just under 200 meters to go, He began to pull away from the rest of the boys, and when it seemed like he was going to win it, another runner stole the championship in the last five meters.
“I wanted to win,” he said. “I thought I was the only person in those last 30 meters, but I give credit to the guy for doing a great job.”
While he wished for that top spot, Pacifico stood on the podium as second best in the state, but he doesn’t plan on standing there or anywhere beyond that, next year.
“The good thing is that I still have next year,” he added. “I’ll come back and win it.”
Pacifico and the rest of the FPC boys’ efforts led to an overall ninth-place state finish.
“It wasn’t a bad final result, but I can't say it wasn't disappointing considering our goals at the beginning of the season and how we looked a couple weeks ago,” coach David Halliday said. “Injuries over the last few weeks and a super-tough region managed to derail our title hopes. Jimmie [Robinson] has not been 100% since March, and [Que’Shaun] Byrd tweaked his last week, which was a huge blow. So we had some adversity early, but we fought back.”
Matanzas fielders earn top 5 finishes
Although she had to compete in the pole vault with a sprained ankle, that didn’t stop Savannah Drummonds from finishing fourth in the state with 10 feet 6 inch jump, right next to her sister, Kinley, who took fifth.
The night before the state meet, Savannah Drummonds attended her senior prom on crutches, after injuring herself at practice a few days prior.
“Going into the meet, I wasn’t sure if I could vault,” she said. “I had my ankle wrapped and felt alright, and the adrenaline and the atmosphere helped me a lot. I was disappointed because I wasn’t at the top of my game, but given the circumstances, I was very pleased I stayed consistent with what I’ve been vaulting all year.” Kinley Drummonds, who reached her personal best of 10 feet, is looking forward to the challenge of jumping higher in her next few years.
Very few, if any athletes, accepted a medal with more joy than senior Tahiem Shakir, who took fifth in the high jump with 6 feet 2 inches. Shakir was projected to finish 14th out of the 16 jumpers.
“When I saw that I was really low on the list, I was just happy with the fact that I made it,” Shakir said. “I may not be first, but I’m fifth in the states. How does that sound? That sounds good.”
