Local Stars Shine: Oak Hall Runners Dominate in 2025 Track Championships

Alachua, United States - The local track and field scene is alive and kicking, especially with the recent accolades for our young athletes. The excitement around the 2025 Bosshardt Realty All Area small school girls track and field team (1A-2A) is palpable, featuring standout runners from Oak Hall. Main Street Daily News reports that junior Estella Collante has made waves, finishing second in the 800-meter run at the Class 1A state meet with an impressive time of 2:14.91. Her performance this season has been nothing short of stellar, with a best time of 2:14.00 at the Region 2-1A meet, where she clinched the top spot.

Collante didn’t just shine individually; she also made vital contributions to the team. She helped the Oak Hall 4×800 relay team secure seventh at the state meet and took part in the 4×400 relay, finishing in 10th place. She also put in a solid effort in the 1600 meters, finishing 18th with a time of 5:42.07. Not to be outshined, her performance in the regional meet guided Oak Hall to victory in the 4×800 relay, while she snagged second in the 1600, helping the Eagles to a commendable second place at the regionals.

Rising Talents

Freshman Samantha Baines of Oak Hall also made her mark, finishing sixth in the 100 meters with a personal best of 15.28 seconds and 15th in the long jump with a leap of 16 feet and 5¾ inches. Baines had a strong showing at the District 5-1A meet, winning the 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles, and long jump events. Her performance was equally impressive at the Alachua County Championships, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the track scene.

A glance at Union County reveals sophomore Amia Bethea who placed fifth in the 100 meters at the 2A state meet, clocking in at 11.87 seconds, while securing seventh in the 200 with a time of 25.14 seconds. Meanwhile, Branford senior Alex Whitfield set a high standard by breaking school records in multiple events, including the 200 and 400 meters, and the 4×100, 4×400, and 4×800 relay teams. Her seventh place at the 1A state meet in the 400 meters, with a time of 58.87 seconds, is particularly noteworthy.

Big School Highlights

On the larger stage, the All Area big school girls track and field team (3A-4A) has some exceptional athletes. Buchholz senior Gianna Rizzo stood out, finishing eighth in the 200 meters at the 4A state meet with a time of 24.49 seconds. Her efforts this season led her to break a 30-year-old school record in the 100 meters, not to mention being an integral part of three record-breaking relay teams.

Gainesville’s Aaliyha McClellon, another notable athlete, placed eighth in the 100 hurdles at the 3A state meet, finishing with a time of 12.31 seconds, while Eastside senior Tyesha Smith leaped her way to a fourth-place finish in the 2A state triple jump, covering 37 feet and 10 inches.

Context of Excellence

Such achievements reflect a broader pattern of excellence in high school track and field across the nation. According to Stadium Talk, schools like St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont dominate the scene, boasting an impressive 32 state championships since 1928. Their legacy shows just how far commitment and talent can take a team, something our local athletes seem poised to emulate.

With young talents like Collante and Baines in the spotlight, the future looks bright for Florida’s track and field community. Keeping an eye on these athletes as they continue to develop will surely bring exciting times ahead, both on and off the track.