Navarre dominates first Febus Memorial meet

The first Decire’ Febus Memorial Track Meet was a success for the Raiders, who honored the late Navarre High School homecoming queen and track athlete – and focused attention on the dangers of drinking and driving – at the three-team competition on Tuesday, March 12.

On Friday, the Navarre boys’ team finished third and the girls’ team finished seventh at the Vince Whibbs Invitational at Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola.

Navarre easily won the boys and girls competitions against Okaloosa County rivals Fort Walton Beach and Choctawhatchee at the inaugural Febus meet. The Lady Raiders amassed 130 points to just 27 for Fort Walton Beach and 17 for the Indians. The Navarre boys’ were similarly dominating, scoring 131 points to 31 for the Vikings and 16 for Choctawhatchee.

Kiera Foster starred for the Lady Raiders, finishing first in three events (long jump, triple jump and 300-meter hurdles). Katelyn Covington won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. Elle Crouse, Hannah Gullickson, Taylor Hadden, Karissa Lindsay, Rayanne Menezes, Hunter Moorer, Aaliyah Proby and Emily Shultz all won their individual events and the Lady Raiders swept the 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 relay races.

The Raiders won every event of the meet; Nick Benton, Taylor Davis, Miguel Villanueva and Alex Wattley all won two individual titles forNavarre.

Febus was 23 when she died July 14, 2012, in Gadsden County after an accident caused by a drunk driver. The Navarre High School chapter of SADD planned activities to warn students of the dangers of drunk driving.

“She was very respected, liked and well known,” NHS track coach Jeff Knapp said of Febus. “Here’s another young bright, energetic person who ended life too young.”

West Florida’s Jaguars and Lady Jaguars swept the Vince Whibbs Invitational, a match that region powerhouse Pine Forest did not attend. The Lady Raiders failed to win any individual events; Nick Benton (triple jump), James Mullin (800) and Tanner Wilcox (1,600) won individual titles for Navarre’s boys.

Some Navarre athletes are expected to compete in an elite meet this weekend at Florida State University, but the Raiders’ next regular competition will be at the EscaRosa County Championships beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 28, at Pensacola Washington.

For complete results, see the March 21 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.