High school track: Class 4A state meet

When: Today, field events finals 1 p.m., running event finals 6:30 p.m.

Where: Showalter Field, Winter Park.

Local individuals competing: Girls - Bria Goodson (100 and 200 meters) and Jade Bizzell (discus), Orange Park; Mary Kate Ponder (1,600 and 3,200 meters) and Jazmine Bowser (long jump), Mandarin; Breonca Reid (long jump), Sandalwood. Boys - Eduardo Garcia (1,600 and 3,200 meters), Mandarin; Cameron Davis (800 meters), Fleming Island; Karl Barr (long jump) and Michael Benton (discus), Orange Park; Derek Freigtag (discus), Middleburg.  

Outlook: There's little chance for a team title for any of the local schools as no team can score more than 30 total points, far below the normal winning team score. Several area athletes will be among the favorites to contend for individual titles. Tops on the list is the distance-running duo from Mandarin, Ponder and Garcia. Both had strong showings in the 1,600 and 3,200 last week in regional competition. Goodson is also a double entry, competing in the 100 and 200 meters. Davis is the defending state champion in the 800, beating three others who were within half a second of each other in last year's race. Freigtag was the discus winner in the regional meet. Orange Park's two field event standouts, Barr (second in the long jump in regional competition) and Benton (runner-up to Freigtag last week), are also contenders for state titles.

JEFF ELLIOTT/The Times-Union