Local Legends Shine: Volusia-Flagler Schools Dominate State Championships!

Flagler Beach, Florida, USA - The excitement in the Volusia-Flagler area is palpable as high school athletes bring home remarkable achievements and memories from a stellar year. As June kicks off, local sports fans are still buzzing from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) championships, where our local talent shone brightly.

On June 6, the College World Series Super Regionals also commenced, showcasing Florida State University (FSU) and the University of Miami. Amidst this buzz, Volusia-Flagler athletes basked in the glory of victory, with four teams and 14 individuals capturing state championships across six sports, including bowling, basketball, cross country, track and field, weightlifting, and wrestling, as News-Journal Online highlights.

Team Triumphs

Among these remarkable feats, the Seabreeze boys bowling team made history, scoring their first-ever state title and marking the first local boys bowling championship in 15 years. On the girls‘ side, the Flagler Palm Coast wrestling team set a new record with a staggering 150 points to win their program’s first state championship. New Smyrna Beach’s girls basketball team also celebrated their inaugural state championship, triumphing over Gainesville with a score of 56-49 in the 5A finals.

Spruce Creek’s girls track and field team clinched their first championship since 1987, rounding out an exciting year for local sports programs.

Individual Achievements

Turning the spotlight on individual athletes, several distinguished themselves with remarkable performances. Winder Altinor from Atlantic secured the Class 2A state title in weightlifting with a total of 735 pounds, while New Smyrna Beach’s Jonathan Bruner earned the first state wrestling gold for the Barracudas since 1998. Notably, Colby Cronk repeated his glory as a 4A state shot put champion from Flagler Palm Coast.

The list of achievements continues with Isaiah McCloud, who once again proved his prowess in the weightlifting ring, and Kyle Nilsson, who won the Class 2A finals in wrestling. Meanwhile, Armoni Spurlock from New Smyrna Beach topped the Olympic leaderboard in weightlifting at the 2A state meet.

• Boys Teams:
• Seabreeze Bowling: First state title in program history.
• Flagler Palm Coast Wrestling: 150 points at the state meet, their first championship.
• New Smyrna Beach Basketball: First state title by defeating Gainesville.
• Spruce Creek Track and Field: First girls championship since 1987.

On the girls’ side, Bergyn Baliton of Father Lopez became a Class 1A state champion in weightlifting, while Kendall Bibla repeated her state championship title at 170 pounds in wrestling. The remarkable Mackenzie Brewton earned her title again in shot put, showing her consistency.

Track and Field Success

The FHSAA Outdoor Track & Field State Championships in May were a showcase of local talent, despite weather challenges due to rain. Spruce Creek won the team state championship, bolstered by stellar performances from individual athletes like Mackenzie Roy, who claimed the state title in the 1600m and finished as the runner-up in the 3200m.

Celeste Coney from New Smyrna Beach showcased her sprinting skills with the fastest local times in both the 100m and 200m events. The 2024-25 Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards, held at Ocean Center in Daytona Beach on June 2, celebrated these talents and featured Dee Strange-Gordon as the guest speaker, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festivities as noted by the Palm Beach Post.

Celebrating Achievements

In the 2025 FHSAA championships, which took place on May 9-10, the athletes displayed incredible resilience and determination. Admission fees provided access to witness the community’s pride, as athletes, fans, and families came together to celebrate hard work and dedication as outlined on Milesplit Florida.

From record-breaking wins to heartwarming celebrations, this year’s sports season has certainly been one for the books. There’s something to be said for the spirit of competition that thrives in Volusia-Flagler. Here’s to all the athletes who have shown us that with hard work and tenacity, anything is possible!