Monroe County track and field athletes had a very successful season, claiming four state medals, many personal records and some positive attention for the Keys. Coral Shores did not send any girls to the state meet this year, but the young team made solid progress throughout the season. Marathon had a healthy mix of older and younger athletes, but it would be two freshmen who won state medals, setting the stage for some great competition in the coming years. Key West had the advantage of experience, and made the most of it, sending the most athletes to states, including multiple relay teams, and giving a few of their younger competitors a fantastic experience at the state’s top competition.
From the staff of the Keys Weekly, congratulations to the 2023 All-Keys Girls Track and Field Team.
MVP
Savannah Chadic
Senior, Key West
Savannah Chadic won three golds and a silver at the district championships, helping to secure the Lady Conchs’ first-place trophy. She then placed first at regionals in the 200 and 400 meter races. Her blazing speed helped qualify her team in the 4×100 and 4×400 meter relays at regionals, then at states – where the senior was a very busy athlete. Making the cut to compete at the state level is quite an accomplishment; qualifying in four events is almost unheard of. At the FHSAA 2A State Championships, Chadic won two medals, bringing home the sixth-place medal in the 200 meter dash and eighth in the 400. The double medalist is not done yet; she signed her letter of intent to run at Division I Jacksonville University next year.
Anabel Portuondo
Junior, Key West
Portuondo claimed a set of silver medals at districts in the pole vault and high jump, qualifying for regionals in both. She went on to take another second place in pole vault at regionals, sending her to states, where she finished 10th.
Caylaa Makimaa
Sophomore, Key West
Makimaa put in some serious distance in the fall, building her endurance and speed in cross country, then parlayed that into success on the track. She placed well in the open 800 and 1600 meter events and ran legs of the Conchs’ 4×800 and state-qualifying 4×400 relay teams.
Jenesis Perloff
Senior, Key West
Perloff placed third at districts in both the 100 and 400 meter hurdle events, qualifying for regionals in both. She was also a member of the Conchs’ 4×400 meter relay team but was unable to compete at regionals due to an untimely injury the afternoon prior. Perloff holds the school’s 400 meter intermediate hurdle record.
Abigail Cowen
Junior, Key West
Cowen brought home district gold in the long jump as well as a fourth-place medal in triple jump. She then changed gears and took her skills from the field to the track, running a leg of Key West’s state-qualifying 4×100 relay team.
Niveah Howard
Freshman, Coral Shores
Niveah Howard may be young, but her times say otherwise. The sprinter clocked fantastic times in the 100 and 200 meter dashes in her first season racing for the ’Canes, and if her work ethic and determination are any indication, she will continue to improve over the next three seasons.
Sammy Bates
Freshman, Coral Shores
Sammy Bates posted solid times in the 800 meter race this season, making her a top competitor in the event. The distance specialist is also a contender in the 400 and will have three more seasons to improve her times and perhaps dabble in other distances as well.
Justice Lee Isom
Freshman, Marathon
Justice Lee made steady gains all season long in the throwing events for Marathon, also participating in sprinting and jumping events when her team needed her to do so. Lee finished at districts with a fourth place medal in discus, fifth place in shot and sixth in javelin.
Ava Merryman
Freshman, Marathon
Ava Merryman earned a seventh-place medal at the state championships this year, breaking her own school record in the pole vault several times during the season. She claimed second place at both districts and regionals in the event and ran legs of the Dolphins’ 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams during the regular season and at districts.
Daysi Williams
Freshman, Marathon
Daysi Williams learned a new event, broke the school record, and qualified for the state championships in a little over one month’s time. The talented freshman finished fourth in the state in the high jump and with three more years of eligibility, she looks to be a contender in not just high jump but long jump, hurdles and sprinting events as well.
Nicole Merryman
Senior, Marathon
A two-time state qualifier, Merryman finished 11th in the state in shot put. She placed in all three throwing events at the district level, finishing second in shot and fifth in javelin and discus.
