Jacksonville, FL – The 58th Annual Bob Hayes Invitational took place on March 18, 2023, at the University of North Florida, attracting the state’s top high school athletes. The prestigious event, named in honor of former Olympian and football player Bob Hayes, saw participants push through cold, windy, and rainy conditions, making it a challenging day for achieving fast times.

In the Boys’ 100 Meters Finals, Brandon Bennett, a freshman from American Heritage, claimed victory with a time of 10.51 seconds, closely followed by Kaj Baker, a freshman from Somerset Academy (PP), who clocked in at 10.56 seconds. Zamarii Sanders, also from American Heritage, rounded out the top three with a time of 10.59 seconds.

Kaj Baker, who had finished second in the 100 meters, emerged victorious in the Boys’ 200 Meters Finals with a time of 21.51 seconds, narrowly defeating Rios Prude Jr. from Rockledge High School, who finished with a time of 21.54 seconds.

Micahi Danzy from Florida High School showcased his endurance and skill by winning the Boys’ 400 Meters Finals with a time of 47.24 seconds, while Anthony Herrera from St. Thomas Aquinas claimed the 800 meters with a time of 1:54.43.

The Boys’ 1600m and 3200m races saw strong performances from Gavin Nelson from Mandarin High School and John Keester IV from Fleming Island High School, respectively. Nelson clocked in at 4:18.41, while Keester IV finished with a time of 9:42.29.

In the hurdles events, Matthew McKnight from Miami Norland High School and Kahneil Budham from St. Thomas Aquinas emerged victorious in the 110m and 400m Hurdles Finals, respectively.

The relay races showcased the depth of talent in Florida’s high schools, with Miami Northwestern winning the Boys’ 4×100 Relay Finals with a time of 41.39 seconds. Flagler Palm Coast claimed victory in the 4×400 Relay, while Miami Northwestern dominated the 4×800 Relay.

Field events also featured impressive performances, with Kyren Washington from Santa Fe High School winning the Boys’ High Jump and Jason Olivera Jr. from St. Thomas Aquinas claiming victory in the Pole Vault. Kyle Johnson from Montverde Academy emerged victorious in the Long Jump, while Seth Stockton from Columbia High School won the Triple Jump.

In the throws, La’Darion Dudley from Lincoln High School and Nathan Lasalle from Bishop Kenny High School took home top honors in the Boys’ Shot Put and Discus events, respectively. Duncan Bowling from St. Thomas Aquinas led the pack in the Javelin competition.

Despite the challenging weather conditions at the 58th Annual Bob Hayes Invitational, Florida’s high school athletes demonstrated grit and determination, making it a memorable event for all involved.

Sprints:

  • Boys’ 100 Meters Finals:
    1. Brandon Bennett (American Heritage) – 10.51
    2. Kaj Baker (Somerset Academy PP) – 10.56
    3. Zamarii Sanders (American Heritage) – 10.59
  • Boys’ 200 Meters Finals:
    1. Kaj Baker (Somerset Academy PP) – 21.51
    2. Rios Prude Jr. (Rockledge) – 21.54
    3. Trimaine Brown (Miami Northwestern) – 21.84

Hurdles:

  • Boys’ 110 Hurdles Finals:
    1. Matthew McKnight (Miami Norland) – 14.17
    2. Byron Holt (Miami Jackson) – 14.23
    3. Daniel James (Juni McEachern) – 14.72
  • Boys’ 400 Hurdles Finals:
    1. Kahneil Budham (St. Thomas Aquinas) – 54.26
    2. Cade Swart (Chiles) – 54.29
    3. Jaron Thomas (Sandalwood) – 56.87

Distance:

  • Boys’ 1600m Run Invite:
    1. Gavin Nelson (Mandarin) – 4:18.41
    2. Graham Myers (Fleming Island) – 4:18.57
    3. Anthony Herrera (St. Thomas Aquinas) – 4:24.49
  • Boys’ 3200 Meters:
    1. John Keester IV (Fleming Island) – 9:42.29
    2. Jacob Campbell (Fleming Island) – 9:55.02
    3. Juan Pablo Castillo-Zima (Bishop Kenny) – 9:55.85

Jumps:

  • Boys’ High Jump:
    1. Kyren Washington (Santa Fe) – 1.98m (6-6)
    2. Kaleb Johnson (Santa Fe) – 1.93m (6-4)
    3. Jayden Harris (Bishop Kenny) – 1.93m (6-4)
  • Boys’ Long Jump:
    1. Kyle Johnson (Montverde Academy) – 7.14m (23-5.25)
    2. Justin Woulard (Melbourne Central Catholic) – 6.72m (22-0.75)
    3. Gerod Tolbert (Flagler Palm Coast) – 6.69m (21-11.5)
  • Boys’ Triple Jump:
    1. Seth Stockton (Columbia) – 14.11m (46-3.5)
    2. Lorenzo Bell Jr. (Rockledge) – 13.10m (42-11.75)
    3. Takoda Brown (Oakleaf) – 12.91m (42-4.25)

Throws:

  • Boys’ Shot Put:
    1. La’Darion Dudley (Lincoln) – 17.27m (56-8)
    2. Christien Moreau (American Heritage) – 17.14m (56-3)
    3. Garrison Butler (Bolles) – 16.68m (54-8.75)
  • Boys’ Discus:
    1. Nathan Lasalle (Bishop Kenny) – 34.62m (113-7)
    2.  Trey Brenton (Juni Thomas County Central) – 34.55m (113-4)
    3. Daniel Law (Nease) – 34.33m (112-7)
  • Pole Vault:
    • Boys’ Pole Vault:
      1. Jason Olivera Jr. (St. Thomas Aquinas) – 4.55m (14-11)
      2. Matias Masony (Nease) – 4.40m (14-5.25)
      3. Gideon Gillaspy (Fleming Island) – 3.95m (12-11.5)
  • Boys’ 4 x 100 Relay Finals:
    1. Miami Northwestern – 41.39
    2. American Heritage – 41.96
    3. Rockledge – 42.25

    Boys’ 4 x 400 Relay:

    1. Flagler Palm Coast (Joseph, Murray, Curry, Steward) – 3:21.35
    2. Miami Northwestern (Ward, Brown, Cochran, Howard) – 3:21.67
    3. St. Thomas Aquinas (Wilkerson, Adams III, Morgan, Budham) – 3:29.23

    Boys’ 4 x 800 Relay:

    1. Miami Northwestern (Ward, Jones, Mintze, Jean-Charles) – 8:00.72
    2. Mandarin (Geraci, Furtick, Lash, Nelson) – 8:05.58
    3. Flagler Palm Coast (Joseph, Kalasnik, Woodward, Davis) – 8:09.30