Chelsi Williams surging back into form as Jenkins girls, boys sweep District 4A-5 track meet

LAKELAND — Chelsi Williams might not be exactly where she wants to be, but she getting closer with each meet.

The George Jenkins standout, who won three of her four events two week ago at the county meet, swept all four of her events as she led the Jenkins girls team to a dominating win on Thursday at the Class 4A, District 6 track and field meet at George Jenkins High School.

Williams, a junior whose season has been slowed by a hamstring injury, set the tone when she jumped 19 feet, 2 inches, to beat Winter Haven’s Dashanique Henry (18-5.75) in the long jump. Henry beat Williams in the event at the county meet.

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Williams followed up Thursday by needing just one jump to win the triple jump (38-0.75), despite jumping into a stiff wind. She then won the 100 hurdles, matching her season-best time of 13.83 seconds, then capped her day by holding off Aliyah Canty in the 400. Williams ran 1:02.44 to Canty’s 1:02.88.

“I'm coming back, I'm definitely coming back,” Williams said. “I just need to find my way. At least I’m now consistently in the 13s (for 100 hurdles), and once I start working on that a lot more, I can get better and take care of my body. I’ll be back down to where I was late last year.”

Williams said her hamstring isn’t bothering her, but she was a little sore following her final event. She didn’t get a chance to train much after traveling to California last week to compete in the Mt. SAC Relays. Running in front of aunts and uncles and her grandmother who live out there, she finished second in the 100 hurdles and won the triple jump. They were all wearing T-shirts with her name on them.

George Jenkins coach Curtis Wiliams was more than pleased with his daughter’s day.

Even without Chelsi’s 40 points, the Eagles would have easily won the girls competition. Jenkins finished with 304.5 points, more than double Winter Haven’s 143. In the boys competition, Jenkins edged Plant City for first, 175-140. Winter Haven was third with 119. The Blue Devils were without nationally ranked triple jumper Jaden Lippett who sustained a season-ending injury.

For the Jenkins girls, Chelsi had plenty of support.

“Them young kids, I got quality,” Jenkins coach Curtis Williams said. “And they’re young. They’re excited.”

George Jenkins had five individual champions, including Chelsi.

Jaade McBride won the 1,600 (5:32.59) and 3,200 (12:41), and Jaa’Ln McBride won the 800 (2:16.84) and the high jump (4-7.75). The Eagles also won the 4x800 and the 4x400 relays.

Daniela Peraza-Vasquez won the discus, and Sophia Suman won the pole vault.

Henry again was Winter Haven’s top performer. She won the 400 (55.98), the 200 (24.52) in addition to her second-place finish in the long jump. Sophomore Desirae Murray won the 100 (12.25), and ran the anchor on the 4x100, and Olivia Celiscar won the shot put. Canty finished second in the both hurdles events. Winter Haven also won the 4x100.

For the Jenkins boys, Anthony Jenkins won the pole vault.

Winter had three district champions. With Lippett out, Rashon Richardson was the Blue Devils’ top athlete. He won the javelin (139-4) and shot put (43-4.5) then took second in the shot put. Terrance Williams won the long jump (21-2.5). Marlon Tullis won the 110 hurdles (15.73), and Jordan Tarver won the 400 (50.26).

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Chelsi Williams surging back into form as Jenkins girls, boys sweep District 4A-5 track meet