Navarre track earns two state titles

Staff reports

Navarre's distance team has been dominant all season long.

Taking on the state's best was no exception.

The Raiders, paced by two state champions, finished fifth as a team at the Class 3A state championships on Friday in Winter Park.

Joey Torres repeated as state champion in the discus with a throw of 189 feet, 3 inches. Hamilton Boykin gave Navarre another state title later on, winning the 800-meter run in a time of 1:56.27. Torres' throw is the best in the state so far this season, with only the Class 4A meet today left on the schedule.

"It went great," Navarre boys coach Tom Lintz said. "We worked hard since January to peak at state and just about everyone in every event peaked. Everyone performed at their peak, and you can't ask for anything more than that."

Hunter Boykin finished second in the 1,600-meter run in a time of 4:22.95, while Zak Boston was fifth in 4:26.29.

Both Boykin brothers and Boston, along with Chase Day, finished second in the 4x800-meter relay in a time of 7:59.11.

"We're pretty happy with it," Lintz said. "We were disappointed with not winning district or regionals the last two weeks, so we kind of feel redeemed with this performance. The season couldn't have ended any better."

Fort Walton Beach's Courtney Barnes was the lone area female athlete to score, placing eighth in the shot put with a throw of 37 feet.

Choctawhatchee and Crestview also were represented at the meet; however, no one placed in the top eight.