Estella Collante Shines as Runner of the Year in All-Area Track Team

Gainesville, United States - In an exciting announcement, the Gainesville Sun has unveiled its All-Area Girls Track and Field team, shining a spotlight on some of the top talents in the region. Among the standouts, Oak Hall’s own Estella Collante has been honored as the Runner of the Year, showcasing her remarkable abilities on the track.

Collante’s season has been nothing short of spectacular. Competing in four events at the Class 1A FHSAA state championships, she managed to secure two podium finishes. She took home a coveted 2nd place in the 800-meter event with an impressive time of 2:14.91, falling just 0.44 seconds shy of the top spot. In addition, she finished 16th in the 1,600-meter, 10th in the 4×400 relay, and 7th in the 4×800 relay, proving her versatility across different distances and race formats reports the Gainesville Sun.

Coaching Excellence

Behind every successful athlete is a dedicated coach, and for Oak Hall, Coach Edwin McTureous has played a pivotal role in shaping the team’s commendable reputation. Under his guidance, Oak Hall has established itself as a formidable force in state-level competitions. This year, McTureous was named this season’s Coach of the Year by the Gainesville Sun. Reflecting on the season, he described it as a „disappointment,“ despite the team achieving three runners with seven podium finishes. There’s something to be said for high expectations!

The All-Area team is composed of 18 elite runners, meticulously divided into first and second teams. The first team features those who finished in the top 11 at states, among them Collante, as well as other exceptional talents:

Rounding Out the Competitors

On the other hand, the second team includes a variety of talented athletes who also shone at the state level:

At the heart of it all, track and field in Florida continues to thrive, with events lined up throughout the year, from regionals to state championships. The FHSAA hosts a packed schedule of competitions, including the upcoming FHSAA State Track & Field Championships on May 9, 2025, ensuring that young athletes have ample opportunities to display their talents notes Florida TF.

As the season wraps up, one thing remains clear: the future is bright for Florida’s track and field stars, and with athletes like Estella Collante leading the way, exciting times are ahead.