Clarke soars in pole vault

Lyman senior Sean Clarke pole-vaulted a career-high of16 feet, 3 inches and was one of three area winners at the Florida Relays on Thursday.

Clarke, who is pursuing a third consecutive Class 4A state championship, climbed to No. 2 on the area all-time list. Edgewater’s Michael Holloway set the record of 17-11⁄2 in 1987.

Seminole’s Emanuel Foster, the state long jump leader, captured that event with a leap of 23 feet, 1 1⁄2 inches.

Seniors Allen Wiggins of First Academy and Macon Rodier of Olympia went 1-2 in the boys shot put. Wiggins, the reigning 1A state champion, won with an opening distance of 54 feet, 7 inches. Rodier, last year’s 4A state champ, was second at 53-01⁄ 4.

The opening day of the three-day meet showed that you can run very fast and still not win a race at the annual University of Florida track and field carnival.

Lake Mary’s John Lyons ran a national No. 5 time of one minute, 52.53 seconds in the boys 800-meter run but took second behind Flagler Palm Coast’s Justin Pacifi

co (1:51.87). Lyons, who has made huge strides as a senior, also moved to No. 5 on the all-time area list.

Lake Brantley senior Sinclaire Johnson, the two-time 4A state champion in the girls 800, ran a top-10 national time in that event (2:11.09), but that too was good for only second place. Two-time South Carolina champion Laurie Barton crossed the line first in 2:10.58.

Trinity Prep’s Chas Cook was the boys 3,200 runner-up in a career-best time.