The 2026 FHSAA state track and field championships delivered a weekend of unforgettable performances at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. From May 6-9, athletes from across Florida battled for glory, and Southwest Florida's stars shined bright on the biggest stage.
Leading the charge was First Baptist Academy senior Caleb Paul, who closed out his high school career in style. Paul soared to a massive personal record of 14.37 meters to claim the Class 1A triple jump title—the top local result of the opening day. It's the kind of performance that cements a legacy and inspires the next generation of jumpers.
Canterbury senior Joslyne De La Nuez proved her versatility with a stellar double medal performance. She powered through the 100-meter hurdles to take second place, then came back strong for a fourth-place finish in the 200 meters. Meanwhile, Community School junior Aniston Newman showed she's one to watch, earning fourth-place medals in both the 100 hurdles and the long jump.
Over on the track, St. John Neumann senior Logan Bartelt delivered a gutsy race in the 800 meters, crossing the line at 1:55.15 to secure a state runner-up finish. In the field events, Community School senior Jace Jackson flexed his strength with a third-place medal in shot put and a sixth-place finish in discus.
Team-wise, the Community School boys finished 12th overall, while the Canterbury girls took 11th—the top results among Southwest Florida teams. But the individual highlights didn't stop there. In the girls' 400 meters, Canterbury's Cheyenne Morisseau blazed to third place with a time of 56.90, and ECS's Halle Moss finished eighth at 59.36. Community School's Sienna Audrey ran a gritty 11:16.87 in the 3,200 meters to take fifth.
The field events also saw strong showings from First Baptist's Eslynda Bouzi (sixth in triple jump at 10.76m) and Community School's Caroline Sonne (sixth in pole vault at 2.85m). In the boys' discus, Community School's Pace Phillips threw 50.14m for fifth, while teammate Jace Jackson hit 49.74m for sixth. First Baptist's Grant Alward II added a seventh-place finish at 47.22m. The shot put was a Community School showcase, with Jace Jackson taking third (15.54m), Cameron Brenner fourth (15.27m), and St. John Neumann's Mason Armstrong fifth (15.05m).
From record-breaking leaps to gutsy sprints, this year's state meet was a testament to the hard work and dedication of these young athletes. Whether they're heading to college or chasing new personal bests, their performances in Jacksonville will be remembered for years to come.