Cape, Baker shine on track
Fort Myers was head and shoulders above the rest of the field at the District 3A-12 track championships Wednesday at Ida Baker.
That doesn’t mean Cape schools didn’t have their moments. It was a banner day for a Cape Coral brother-sister combo who sprinted their way to a handful of victories.
A pole vaulter from the host Bulldogs won the title in what many thought would be the most competitive event.
Cape High’s Jorika Jiles was one of the big winners at the meet. The senior won the girls’ 100 meters (12.22 seconds), the 200 (24.76) and the 4×100 meter relay.
“I wanted to come into the regionals with my best time, but the wind made it harder,” Jiles said. “The 200 is my favorite. More fun.”
Seahawks teammate Danaria Brice finished fourth in the 100 and 200 to advance to regionals. Brice and Jiles are joined by Camary Williams and Jaly Corey-Morin in winning the 4×100 relay.
“A lot of girls have the talent to run relays, but it’s all mental,” Brice said. “Without the other girls it’s nothing. You have to think fast.”
Brice’s younger brother, Tyreece, also had a banner day in winning the boys’ 4×100 and placing fourth in the 200 to earn a trip to regionals. He was no match for sophomore teammate Tyrell Johnson, who won district titles while at Dunbar last season as a freshman. Johnson won the 100 (10.91) and 200 (21.78) with strong finishes, and was part of the 4×100 meter relay team with Jiles, Joseph Ricardi and Prince Holloway.
“I got stronger toward the end. There was good competition so I had to get my form right and come on strong,” Johnson said.
Baker’s Frank Wilson won the pole vault with a 13-foot, 6-inch vault, an event with perhaps the deepest field.
“I wasn’t going so much for height as just going for the win as a senior,” said the two-time district champ. “There are 25 steps to make that one perfect vault. Miss one and you won’t make it. Once you win, then you play around with height.”
Alex Holliday gave Baker a title in the 100 hurdles with a 15.93 timing. Not bad for someone who didn’t run track last season or never competed in the event before this year.
“I went from 19 seconds at the start of the season to sub-16s,” Holliday said. “The coach told me to stick with it and it worked.”
Junior Alan Wise also won for Baker in the 800, breaking out of the pack with 300 yards to go in winning with a time of 2:01.15.
Also for the Bulldogs, Monique Elliott finished second in the 200 and the 400 to advance to regionals. Angel Inchausti was runner-up in the high jump.
Mariner was led by junior Nicholas Finch, won placed second in the boys’ 400, while senior Kelsea Whitaker finished fourth in the long jump.
North Fort Myers was represented by Arielle Rausine, who won the wheelchair 880 and shot put. Jessica Wagner earned a regional trip by placing third in the high jump.
In the team standings, Baker’s girls placed third with 80 points behind Fort Myers (113) and Palmetto Ridge (86). Cape Coral wound up fifth (77), North Fort Myers eighth (53) and Mariner 10th (20.5).
“Awesome. A great performance. I couldn’t be prouder,” said Baker girls’ coach Matt Janigian. “We have small numbers and didn’t know we could do it. It blew me away.”
In the boys’ team standings, Baker – last year’s district runner-up – wound up fifth behind Fort Myers, Naples, East Lee and Palmetto Ridge. Cape finished sixth, Mariner ninth and North 12th.
“This is the best group I’ve ever coached. They have the most heart,” Baker coach Dan Butler said. “A lot of kids broke personal bests. I’m pleased.”