- April 26, 2024
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Mainland's Cydney Wright crosses the finish line for the 100-meter dash at the FHSAA track and field state championships. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's Cydney Wright crosses the finish line in the prelim for the 100-meter dash at the FHSAA track and field state championships. Photo by Ray Boone
Lauren Troutman runs a leg of a relay at the FHSAA track and field state championships. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's Lauren Troutman hands the baton off to Grace Hawryluk. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's Emanni Howard runs a leg of the 4x800-meter relay at the FHSAA track and field state championships. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's Jasmyn Dorsey hands the baton to Acura Graves during the 4x100-meter relay. Photo by Ray Boone
The Buccaneers' Acura Graves dashes down the track during the 4x100-meter relay. Photo by Ray Boone
The Buccaneers' Lauren Troutman runs a leg of the 4x800-meter relay. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's Cydney Wright runs the first leg of the 4x400-meter relay. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainlands Shaniya Wilder hands the baton to Jordan Elder during the 4x400-meter relay. Photo by Ray Boone
Shaniya Wilder sprints down the track during the 4x100-meter relay. Photo by Ray Boone
Jasmyn Dorsey sprints down the track during the 4x100-meter relay. Photo by Ray Boone
Jasmyn Dorsey sprints down the track during the 4x100-meter relay. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland's girls track team with their medals at the FHSAA track and field state championships. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland High School’s girls track and field team qualified 20 athletes for the 3A FHSAA track and field state championships on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at the University of North Florida.
The Buccaneers brought home 14 medals across 17 events and finished in sixth place as a team — their best finish ever.
“I’m just so proud of the effort they put in,” Mainland coach Terry Anthony said. “They work so hard, they don’t complain and we have fun. That’s the main thing.”
The Buccaneers did well in areas they expected to, such as most of the sprinting and relay events, but also saw a few surprises.
Three girls qualified for the long jump, which was held on Day 1 of the meet, and all three earned a spot on the podium for their performances. Jasymn Dorsey placed third with a team-best 5.53-meter leap, Elisa Aclipen placed sixth at 5.36 meters and Acura Graves placed seventh at 5.31 meters.
The Buccaneers also got points in the 200-meter dash that they weren’t expecting, with Graves placing seventh with a time of 24.73.
“It was just awesome seeing them compete. All of our kids are buying into what we’re doing,” Anthony said. “They’re buying into our program, buying into our philosophy.”
Sophomore sprinter Cydney Wright — who competed in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and the 4x400-meter relay — was arguably the Buccaneers’ top performer.
After being seeded second in the 100-meter dash, she placed fourth with a time of 11.80. It was her first time competing in the event at the state level.
Wright also earned a bronze medal in the 200-meter dash, which she competed in as a freshman last season, with a time of 24.09.
The 4x4 relay team, which in addition to Wright, included Dorsey, Shaniya Wilder and Jordan Elder, placed fifth with a time of 3:51.18.
“I had higher expectations for myself. I’m not satisfied, but I’m OK with how I ran today. I’ve definitely had better races,” Wright said. “All these girls are just so talented, and I’m very proud of all the girls I competed with. I’m looking forward to the summer. I’m going to get out on the track and practice.”
Several Buccaneers competed in high school track and field for the final time on Saturday, including seniors Asia Hubbert (discus and shot put), Wilder and Camron Wright (Cydney Wright’s sister).
“It’s bittersweet. I’m glad I have the memories,” Camron Wright said. “I’m going to miss Mainland a lot, but I’m always going to have Buc pride.”
