The FHSAA State Track and Field Championships concluded on May 9 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, with athletes from Brevard County earning several medals in Class 4A competition. Viera sophomore Michal Paul earned bronze in the long jump with a distance of 7.22 meters and placed sixth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.98 seconds. Viera senior Michael Girard finished fifth in the 3200-meter run with a time of 9:11.32. Melbourne junior Jeremiah Thomas tied for fourth in the high jump at 1.92 meters, while Heritage senior Nathaniel Owens closed his track career with a sixth-place long jump of 7.05 meters. Bayside junior Devin Kennedy placed 17th in the 400-meter dash with a time of 59.41 seconds.
Viera finished with 13 team points, tying with Oakleaf for 13th place. The top teams included Flanagan (77.5 points), Spanish River (53), and Columbus (47). Melbourne scored 4.5 points, placing tied for 47th. Heritage earned 3 points, sharing that position with several other schools. In the 400-meter dash, Ocoee’s Devin Matthews won gold with a time of 47.24 seconds, followed by Flagler Palm Coast’s Jordan Haymon (47.82) and John I. Leonard’s Shedner Gerilus (47.86).
Paul’s long jump bronze marked her first state medal. Girard’s 3200 time was a personal best, and Thomas’s high jump tied for fourth despite a challenging competition. Owens, a four-year letterman for Heritage, said his long jump finish was a fitting end to his high school career. Kennedy, who qualified for states as a freshman, missed the podium but gained experience.
The event drew over 300 athletes from across Florida. Local fans traveled to Jacksonville to support Brevard County competitors. Viera coach Sarah Nguyen praised her team’s resilience, noting that several athletes had injuries or illnesses but still performed well. The championships highlight the depth of talent in the region, with multiple athletes from the same schools placing in the top 10 of their events.
Results will be posted online by the FHSAA within the next week. Athletes who qualified for the state meet will receive their medals in the coming months. The next major track event for Brevard County athletes is the regional championships in June.