Orlando Christian Prep

May 12, 2022 --

OCP boys track team took 10 athletes to the FHSAA Class 1A Track & Field State Championships in Gainesville. Consisting of mostly sophomores and juniors, the Warriors made the Top 8 medal stand in two individual events and one of the two qualified relay events.

Sophomore Alexis Garcia, who entered the state 400m dash field with the 6th fastest time, finished third overall with a personal record of 49.02.

"I've been training since the second week of school not only to make it to states but to give myself a chance to compete and have a good outcome,” said Garcia. 

He continued, “my goal was to make it to states not only by myself but with the boys. Also my goal when I made it to the States was to get top 5. I ended up getting top 3 which is insane.”

Garcia's classmate Demarion Jenkins also entered an event with the 6th fastest time, but in a shorter distance - the 100m dash. Jenkins was a 100m regional champion, and entered the state championships in four events (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay). He finished with a personal best time of 10.87, which was 7th best overall and a medal.

Describing his emotions following the meet, Jenkins said, “it was an amazing feeling, it felt great to accomplish one of my goals from the beginning of the season. I was really proud of myself for competing that far."

He continued, “I worked hard and worked on my block starts with my coaches. Coach G (Rackell Goldson) and Coach D (Guerschom Demosthenes) are always pushing me to work harder.”

The boys 4x400m relay team ran a 3:29.38 in the state championship, which was 6th best overall, earning the team of Evan Sierra, Nick Rawls, Jenkins and Garcia a medal. Coach Goldson credits Garcia's anchor leg as the difference that put the team on the medal stand. 

Overall, OCP Track broke through and made some tremendous strides this season creating memories that will serve as motivation to the group as they move forward into other sports and next season.

"I am very proud of the goals and success of the team. We have accomplished so many things as a track program," said Coach Goldson. "We also built a bond that will never be broken. We laugh, clown, and break each other down. But we are always there to lift everyone spirit before each race, throw, or jumps."

"Success is no accident it takes hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all a love for what you are doing or learning to do."

Goldson continued, "A lot of long nights and hours put into this track program. I am honored and blessed to be apart of the success that has taken place. If allowed the opportunity I can’t wait to do it again." 

Final results

Boys 100m - Demarion Jenkins, 7th place, 10.87 (2 pts)

Boys 200m - Demarion Jenkins, 15th place, 23.16

Boys 400m - Alexis Garcia, 3rd place, 49.02 (6 pts)

Boys 110 Hurdles - Joshua Demosthenes, 16th place, 16.08

Boys 4x100 Relay - Gadiahwan Louis, Bradley Knight, Brian Thomas, Demarion Jenkins, 10th place, 43.87

Boys 4x400 Relay - Evan Sierra, Nick Rawls, Demarion Jenkins, Alexis Garcia, 6th place, 3:29.38 (3 pts)

Boys Triple Jump - Evan Sierra, 9th place, 42' 6"

Team Total - t.19, (11 pts)