Katie Kelly Crowned Athlete of the Year in Stellar Girls Track Season!

St. Augustine, Florida, USA - The St. Augustine Record recently unveiled its annual All-County team, shining a spotlight on the remarkable talents of high school girls track in St. Augustine and St. Johns County for 2025. This year, the acclaim for athlete of the year goes to none other than Katie Kelly from Ponte Vedra, pole vault champion and future Dartmouth athlete, celebrating her triumphs at the Class 3A competitions. As the competition heats up, athletes must compete in at least three meets or the state championship series to be eligible for this elite recognition.

Notable performances leading to the selection of athletes for the All-County team were based on national rankings noted as of May 10, the closing day of the Florida High School Athletic Association championships. Athletes from various schools put forth extraordinary efforts, contributing to another memorable season in St. Johns County sports.

First Team Highlights

Among the standout performers, Creekside High School’s athletes made a substantial impact. In the sprinting categories, Peyton Ganther from Bartram Trail dominated the 100m and 200m events, recording a season-best of 25.05 at the Bear Classic. Meanwhile, Sofia Killin from Creekside displayed remarkable skill in the 400m, clocking in at 56.01 during the Florida Relays.

The middle-distance events also saw exceptional talent. Sarah Rose from Creekside emerged as the Class 4A runner-up in the 800m, achieving a personal best of 2:12.63. In the 1,600m, Sydney Johnson, a freshman from Creekside, clinched second place in Region 1-4A with an impressive finish of 4:54.50.

Long-distance events were equally thrilling, with Alyson Johnson from Creekside excelling in both the 3,200m and 1,600m scenes. Not only did she run a time of 10:45.10, but her prowess in the 1,600m also set her apart, finishing the distance in 4:46.24 earlier this season. As for hurdles, Madison Linscomb secured victory in the 100m hurdles at the Class 4A state championship, clocking in at 14.96 seconds.

Relay Success and Other Achievements

Creekside’s dominance extended into the relay events, highlighted by their outstanding performances. The girls‘ 4×800 relay team emerged as Class 4A champions, posting an impressive time of 9:08.65 at the Florida Relays, which ranks them among the best in state history. The 4×400 relay team also showcased extraordinary talent, running a commendable 3:49.70 to finish second in the region.

In individual throwing events, Suin Crowley from Creekside made her mark in shot put, racking up a season-best of 39 feet, 10.5 inches, while Adele Hillier from Bartram Trail shined in discus with a personal best of 128 feet, 4 inches.

Honorable Mentions and Community Impact

Several other talented athletes earned honorable mentions, including Camille Andrews in pole vault and Alexa Bohanon in javelin. The St. Johns County School District is home to nine high schools serving over 16,000 students, each promoting athletics alongside education. Each institution not only competes in track and field but also offers various sports activities throughout the year, further enriching the community spirit.

As emphasized by St. Johns Sports Family, the dedication of these athletes deserves recognition. With all schools being members of the Florida High School Athletic Association, the students have ample opportunity to shine and showcase their remarkable abilities. Whether it be sports, academics, or community involvement, these young athletes certainly exhibit a strong commitment to excellence.

As the season continues, excitement grows for upcoming contests and what the future holds for these gifted athletes. After all, there’s something to be said for the spirit of competition and camaraderie that surrounds high school sports in St. Johns County.