Lakehawk Track & Field Opens Season at Alachua County Invitational

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Track & Field) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) track & field teams opened the spring season at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center Invitational. The Lakehawks, just one meet in, delivered performances that set the bar high for the remainder of the season.

In the long jump, sophomore Jaden Miller delivered one of top performances in the meet with a mark of 5.64m. She took fourth in the event and shattered her previous school and personal record (PR) mark of 5.34m.

Miller continued her strong performance in the triple jump, finishing seventh overall with a mark of 11.03m. This also was good for a PR and broke her previously established school record.

In the women's 200m, Jameria Sutton led the Lakehawks in her debut performance with a time of 26.67. Skyler Carter finished closely after with a time of 27.37.

Sutton and Carter's finishes were good for a school record, previously set in 2024, and the second top spot.

On the men's side, Spencer Palmer opened the season with a podium finish in the 600m, placing third in the event with a time of 1:22.61. Racing in the second heat, Palmer took an early lead and ran aggressively from the front, finishing just a half a second behind the top-two finishers.

Distance standout, Elijah Palmer, competed in the second heat of the 3000m. He took an early lead and lapped the entire field, forcing himself to navigate traffic and run extended portions in the outside lanes.

His time of 8:42.32 placed sixth overall and inked his name in the top spot in the Lakehawk record book.

Palmer later returned to the track with Noah Kaegi for the 1000m. Palmer took fifth with a time of 2:32.13 followed by Kaegi with a time of 2:35.13, good for ninth overall.

In the sprints, Mark Fyffe delivered a strong season-opening effort in the 200m with a time of 22.12. He finished eighth overall in a field of over 70 competitors.

"I am really proud of how our athletes opened the year. For our first meet of the season, we saw a lot of composure, competitiveness, and effort across every event group," said Head Coach Cristy Snellgroves entering their third track & field season.

"The athletes went out without fear, took control of their events, and showing strong focus and confidence in how they competed. We know exactly what we need to work on in the coming weeks, but this was a strong starting point."

"More than anything, I am proud of how our athletes represented this program – competing with grit and style, supporting one another, and showing what it means to be a Lakehawk," said Coach Snellgroves.

The teams will now take the week to prepare to return to Gainesville for the two-day Legends of Alachua County Invitational.

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