By Andy Warrener
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The Freedom track and field team showed it has emerged as a power in Hillsborough County April 17, cruising to the Class 4A-District 6 title at Leto.
The Patriots claimed the first district crown in the program’s 11-year history by scoring 166 points, besting second-place Plant by 22.
Freedom seniors Sandra Akuchukwu and Faith Woodard brought in 66 points in their seven individual events, which would have been good enough fifth place as a team.
Akuchukwu claimed district championships in the long jump (19-feet, 3-inches), 100 meters (12.27 seconds) and 200 (25.35). The Western Kentucky University signee also took second in the high jump (5-8), finishing behind Woodard who broke her own school record by clearing 5-10.
Woodard, a Georgetown University signee for basketball, also won the 400 (58.40) and finished runner-up in the 200 (26.31) to Akuchukwu.
“I just hope to complement her first (in the 200),” said the 6-foot-2 Woodard. “In the 400, most people have much shorter strides, so especially at the end I try to focus and pick up my strides. It gets me through it.”
The Patriots got a lift when senior Alex Mitchell won the 800 in 2:23.76.
“All year she’s been worried about her time,” said Freedom coach Dwight Smith. “I told her be patient, and now her times are dropping.”
Junior Anell Smith qualified in the long jump (16-4, third place) and 300 hurdles (47.49, fourth) while leading off the 4×400 relay that took second (4:07.33). Sophomores Destanie Bush and Biance Igwe finished as district runners-up in discus throw (93-4) and shot put (34), respectively. Freshman Nari Garner qualified with a high jump (5, fourth).
The Freedom boys finished fourth with 101 points thanks in large part to winning the 4×400 relay (3:28.80) while sophomore Elga Davis (51.18) and junior Rashod Monts (51.98) took second and third in the 400.
Senior Derik Harvey (2:07.23) won the 800 and took second in the 1,600 (4:36.53).
The regional meet is April 24 at Leto.
//Wharton Girls grab third
The Wharton girls track and field team scored 123 points to place third at the Class 4A-District 6 meet at Leto April 17, 43.5 off the championship pace of Freedom and 11 behind Plant.
The Wildcats success had much to do with senior hurdlers Mikayla Barber and Tyler Watson, who finished first and second, respectively, in both the 100 and 300.
Barber finished in 15.05 in the 100 and in 43.70 in the 300, which is her best time in the event for the season.
“I didn’t hit 43 until my prelims at state last year,” Barber said. “I’m pretty excited with where I’m at right now.”
Watson also took district runner-up honors in the triple jump (35-02).
Senior pole vaulter Brittany Smith cleared 10 feet and won a tiebreaker based on the number of attempts at the height to claim her third straight district championship.
Wharton also picked up a title in the 4×400 relay (4:02.28).
The Wildcats boys took sixth at the meet with 68 points, 77.5 behind first-place Plant.
Wharton’s lone district title was won by senior Chris Myers with a shot put of 44-10. Junior Aerion Caldwell got second in discus throw (126-04).
Senior Jaken Grier, in his first year competing in track, finished as the runner-up in the 800 (2:04.36).
The regional meet is April 24 at Leto.
