Track teams look forward to big meets

PANAMA CITY — The options were many. The solutions few.

What began as a week with the county track and field meet scheduled for Wednesday and the North Florida Invitational for Saturday was buffeted by the storm passing through Bay County.

That postponed the county meet, and there was thought to run it concurrently with the NFI on Saturday. That would have extended the meet, however, which was not acceptable on Mosley’s prom night, according to Bay coach Aaron Byas.

Coordinating with the company that provides the timing and results also was a factor. Therefore the county meet has been rescheduled to Monday afternoon, with the annual North Florida meet holding sway on Saturday.

Byas said that 14 schools have committed to compete, and a couple of stragglers could swell that number. The field events begin at 10 a.m. with running events at noon. Admission is $5.

Bay has witnessed a reversal of sorts this season with a strong girls contingent overshadowing the Tornadoes’ boys squad. Byas said he’ll be disappointed if Bay’s girls don’t prevail in the NFI.

“Last year we won the county and I saw it happening,” Byas said. “Last year was the first year I’ve taken a girls relay to the state meet. I knew I had a lot of good ones coming back.”

The upcoming meets also could provide some answers as to the top sprinters in the county. Mosley’s Emily Vogler and Bay’s Mykeese Edwards could decide the girls 100, and Arnold’s Jamari Hughes and Bay’s Demetrius Barnes will continue their early season duel in the boys 100.

Some other performers to watch include Brittany Crittendon of South Walton in the sprints and hurdles, Mosley 300-meter hurdler Kady Kriner, Bay’s girls relays and Tornadoes’ junior Shytiarra Webb in the discus and shot put. Webb already has extended her personal best by about six feet in the shot this year.

Arnold’s boys relays are the strongest locally, and will match their speed against area quartets. Byas said that Wakulla should be a strong opponent in a number of events.

The county meet on Monday with start with the field events at 1 p.m. and the running events at 3 p.m.