PLANT CITY — Lakeland junior Tajhana South knew when she hit the board that her final attempt in the triple jump could be special and, when she landed, she knew it was.
Shortly after, everyone knew as South leaped up and down and over to her coach in celebration.
South jumped a personal-record 38 feet 11 inches to win the event to lead Polk County's top athletes on Wednesday at the Class 3A, Region 2 track and field meet at Plant City.
South also won the long jump (17-6.75) and was second in the 400 hurdles. Her mark in the triple jump is third-best in Class 3A.
District track: Chelsi Williams surging back into form as Jenkins girls, boys sweep District 4A-5 track meet
District track: District 1A-10 Track & Field: Fort Meade's Whitehurst looking for strong finish; Victory sweeps
District track: Micheal Walker shines at 3A-8 district track meet and as leader of Lakeland's throwers
“I kind of knew from when I hit the board because it's, like, sometimes you have that feeling,” South said. “Me and a girl were neck and neck for second place. And I was like, I got to jump. So when I hit the board, I knew I hit it hard.”
With George Jenkins standout Chelsi Williams in the same area, it’s easy for South to be overlooked. But she has medaled at a state championship, and is poised to do it again, as she's qualified in three events. She uses Williams as motivation.
“We actually are child competitors,” South said. “She started before me so I look up to her. And (Winter Haven’s) Jaden Lippett, I work out with him. So I have two of these nationally ranked jumpers, so what can I do to make myself get up there? I don’t want to be inherently shallow. I want to be recognized as my own person.”
South said she doesn’t compare herself to Williams. Instead, she watches what Williams does to learn what she could do better.
In Class 3A, she is ranked outside of the top eight in her other state-qualifying events, the long jump and 400 hurdles, so the triple jump remains her best bet. And while she’ll need a huge improvement or an off night from top-ranked Mikayla Shavers of Fleming Island, South is in striking distance of the runner-up spot in 3A if she continues to improve.
Who won the 4A girls long jump?
There was a bit of controversy in the 4A girls long jump.
George Jenkins’ Williams originally was declared the winner with jump of 20-0.25 (6.10 meters). Winter Haven’s Dashanique Henry came in second with a jump of 19-9.5 (6.03). However, Winter Haven coach Ledarius Haggins claimed that the official called the distance as 6.23 meters, and not 6.03, and appealed. Initially, the results were changed declaring Henry the winner, but Jenkins coach Curtis Williams then questioned the decision, which eventually was reversed.
Either way, both athletes advance to the state meet.
Jenkins’ Williams continues to come on strong
Williams’ win in the long jump was the start of a big day, as she won all four of her events.
Her long jump mark was a personal record. She then won the triple jump on her only attempt with a season-best jump of 40-8.25, which was her third-best mark overall. Her winning time of 13.61 seconds in the 100 hurdles was a season-best and her third-best time overall. She capped her day by running a personal-best 1:01.31 in the 400 hurdles.
George Jenkins girls win 4A team title
Williams’ 40 points sparked the George Jenkins girls to a team title in 4A, Region 2 with 92 points; Winter Haven was second with 64. Even without Williams’ contributions, the Eagles would have finished second.
Jaa’Ln McBride took the 800 in 2:14.09 as the only winner other than Williams for the Jenkins girls, and she was third in the high jump (5-1.75).
Violet Smith took third in the discus.
Winter Haven's Henry still grabs a win
Even though she had to settle for second in the long jump, Henry still came away with an individual region title, winning the 400 in 55.44 and running a leg on the first-place 4x100 team with Giuliana Adonteng, Aliyah Canty and Desirae Murray.
Henry currently is ranked No. 7 in Class 4A in the 400, fourth in the long jump and eighth in the 200.
Lake Wales girls take 2nd in 3A
The Lake Wales girls came up three points short of a regional title behind Tampa Freedom. Lake Wales had three individual champions and also won one relay.
Mikaila Walker won the 100 hurdles in 15.16 and also was eighth in the 100. Kansas Henry won the 400 in 57.68, and Areeyanna Bonds won the 400 hurdles (1:04.62). The trio also ran on the winning 4x100 team (47.92) with Nayelie St. Fleur. Henry also was second in the 200, and Bonds was fourth.
Bonds, Henry, Nayelie St. Fleur dan Leilani Leverston took second in the 4x400.
Other 3A, 4A athletes of note
Lake Wales' Todd Daniels fourth in the 100 at 10.73 and ran on the winning 4x100 team (41.15). … George Jenkins’ Caden Baker was third in the 1,600 (4:21.75) and fourth in the 3,200 (9:39.97). Anthony Murray was fourth in the long jump and third in triple jump. … Lakeland’s Sytrevion Dyer won the long jump (24-7.75) and was fourth in the 110 hurdles, and teammate Kavon McKinney won the triple jump (45-5.75). … Lakeland’s Micheal Walker was third in the 3A discus (152-1), third in the javelin (152-6), and Malik Morris was third in the shot put (46-10.5). … Lakeland’s Derajah Hardy was second in the 3A boys 400 (48.51). ... Winter Haven’s Terrance Williams was fifth in 100 (10.69), fifth in the long jump and third in triple jump. … Winter Haven’s Olivia Celiscar was second in the shot put (41-2) ... Lakeland’s Naomi Garner was second in the javelin (104-8).
Victory Christian’s Ortiz leads local 1A-3 qualifiers
Victory Christian’s Keely Ortiz finished in the top three in two events as the top Polk athlete in the 1A-Region 3 meet on Tuesday at IMG. Ortiz won girls shot put with a throw of 34-11.75 and took third in the discus (103-7).
For the Victory Christian boys, Avante Etheridge was fourth in the discus and fifth in the shot put.
Lakeland Christian’s Jaden Denton won the boys pole vault (11-3.75), and DJ Allen and Hyatt Galbraith finished sixth and seventh, respectively. For the girls, Kate Scarborough finished second, and Eli Katzara took third.
Other 1A athletes of note
Lakeland Christian’s Emma Wilkinson finished second in the girls 3,200 and third in the 1,600. … Lakeland Christian’s Issa Simpson took third in the girls triple jump. … Victory Christian’s Addie Lemmond was third in the 400. … Victory Christian’s Amber Choquette was fifth in the 1A girls 100 hurdles and seventh in the 400 hurdles. .. Victory Christian’s Jerrell Paul took fifth in the triple jump and seven in the 110 hurdles. … Lakeland Christian’s AJ Truedell finished runner-up in the 200 and took sixth in the 100.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Tahjana South, Chelsi Williams lead Polk County track & field efforts in FHSAA regionals
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