Big Bend Track Stars Shine: 2025's Top Athletes and Coaches Revealed!

Gadsden County, USA - Nestled in the heart of Florida, the Big Bend area boasts a vibrant high school track and field scene, brimming with talent and determination. Athletes across the region have set their sights on district, regional, and state championships in 2025, showcasing their skills and dedication. This year, excitement is at an all-time high as we recognize the outstanding achievements of several key figures in the sport.

Among the shining stars is Davion Crumitie from Rickards High School, who has claimed the title of the 2025 All-Big Bend Boys Track and Field Runner of the Year. Crumitie’s explosive performance in sprint events has not gone unnoticed—he secured third place in the 100-meter dash and fourth in the 200-meter dash at the FHSAA Class 3A State meets. With a staggering nine first-place finishes in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, his personal bests of 10.50 seconds and 20.88 seconds are impressive by any measure. As Tallahassee.com reports, Crumitie’s achievements are a testament to the exceptional talent emerging within this vibrant community.

A Record-Setting Year

Recognized for his outstanding performances, Jake Atwood from Chiles High School has earned the title of 2025 All-Big Bend Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Atwood captured state glory with a remarkable throw of 66.57 meters in the discus, setting personal and school records along the way. His prowess doesn’t stop there; he also holds a state record with a remarkable throw of 68.7 meters. Additionally, Atwood placed sixth in the shot put and has plans to continue his athletic career at Florida State, further solidifying the Big Bend’s reputation as a springboard for future stars.

Leading these talented athletes is Damarius Carroll, who has been named the 2025 All-Big Bend Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year. Under his guidance, Lincoln High School achieved a Class 3A District 2 title and a runner-up finish at the regional level. Although the team finished 13th at the Class 3A state meet, Carroll’s leadership and vision have laid a strong foundation for future success.

Celebrating Team Talents

The 2025 All-Big Bend Boys Track and Field First Team features a diverse array of athletes excelling across multiple disciplines:

• Sprints: Davion Crumitie (So., Rickards), Kabran Paul (Jr., Lincoln), Jadon Buckles (Jr., Lincoln), Phillip Steward (Sr., Rickards).
• Distance: Joshua Hicks (Jr., Chiles), Matthew Hauser (Sr., Lincoln), David Barton (So., Maclay), Philip Licquia (Sr., Chiles).
• Hurdles: Darius Jones II (Sr., Rickards), Anthony Vail (So., Lincoln), Tyler Colebrook (Sr., JPII).
• Throws: Jake Atwood (Sr., Chiles), Isaiah Farmer (Jr., Florida High), Kendrick Scott Jr. (Sr., Lincoln), Christian Nicolas (Sr., Wakulla).
• Jumps: Darius Jones II (Sr., Rickards), Jaiden Cunningham (Jr., Lincoln), David Whitaker (Jr., Wakulla), Jayvin Strouble (Sr., Leon).
• Pole Vault: Darius Jones II (Sr., Rickards), Cameron Walling (Jr., JPII).

Those making the 2025 All-Big Bend Boys Track and Field Second Team also deserve recognition:

• Sprints: Damon Frazier-Harris (Jr., Rickards), Christian Randolph (Jr., Rickards), Kamren Ross (Sr., Lincoln), Tyzer Henry (Jr., Lincoln).
• Distance: Henry Lewis (Jr., Wakulla), Jonathan Kiros (So., Chiles), Gabriel Edwards (Sr., Chiles), Ryan McCreary (Jr., Lincoln).
• Hurdles: Jermey Mango (So., Rickards), Anton Miller (Jr., Lincoln), Zyon Smithen (Fr., Godby), Erick Martin-OKelley (Sr., Rickards).
• Throws: Micah Deem (So., Florida High), Kason Scott (Fr., Lincoln), Demari Kendrick (Jr., Gadsden County), David Herring (Sr., Chiles).
• Jumps: Maxie Monroe (Jr., Leon), Malachi Acosta (Jr., Lincoln), Markai Pinder (Sr., JPII), Jadon Buckles (Jr., Lincoln).
• Pole Vault: Max Rizzo (Fr., Lincoln), Dawson Goehrig (So., Lincoln), Erick Martin-OKelley (Sr., Rickards).

Among the honorable mentions, strong contenders have showcased their talent across various events during this thrilling season.

Looking Ahead

The excitement doesn’t end here! Athletes like Crumitie are not just excelling on the track—they also participate in a variety of events beyond athletics. Upcoming seasons include both track competitions and eSports events, with titles such as Counter Strike, Assassin’s Creed, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild rounding out this vibrant landscape of competition in 2025. As MileSplit highlights, these multifaceted interests show just how dynamic and diverse the talent pool in Big Bend truly is.

The Big Bend area continues to cultivate exceptional athletes while providing a supportive community that encourages both athletic and individual growth. With a promising year ahead, there’s much to look forward to as these young talents strive to further break records and push the boundaries of their abilities.