Pepsi Florida Relays HS Race Video
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The Spanish River (FL) senior Preston Sangely broke the 1:50 barrier for the 800m not once, but twice winning the 800m yesterday in a US#1 1:49.64 and anchoring the Spanish River 4x800m to a win in a US#1 7:39.70. Sangely anchored the Sharks to in a 1:49.76 FAT split.
Sangely held a season and personal best of 1:51.72 heading into the event and had also run 4:06.83 for 1600m and 8:58.78 for 3200m this outdoor season.
Watch the Pepsi Florida Relays Boys 800m
The field in the 800m on Friday was out at a decent pace, but was somewhat conservative going through the first 400m in 54.73 led by Joe Licata (Cardinal Newman, FL), a 47.90/1:52.54 runner over 400m and 800m. It was crowded at the front and Sangely moved into third coming through in 55.02.
Licata held the lead, but Sangely was moving up as was Malcolm Spence (Flanagan) who sat in second and moved ahead of Licata down the backstretch. Just as Spance took the lead, Sangely went right by him on the outside to move out front for the final 200m.
Sangely would gap Spence and Licata and not look back as he charged through the finish line in a negative split closing in 54.62 to run 1:49.64. Licata would pass Spence for 2nd as the two ran personal bests of 1:51.66 and 1:51.98. Sangely's mark was a US#1 for 800m this outdoor season.
Watch the Pepsi Florida Relays Boys 4x800m Relay
Spanish River and Sangely would be back for the 4x800m this morning. Through great legs from his teammates Avery Rand, Casey Sangely and Ryan Cook Spanish River would have a four second lead going into anchor leg. Rand split 1:59.67, Casey Sangely and impressive 1:51.18 on the second leg, and Cook a 1:59.10 on the third leg.
Sangely was all alone and unlikely to be caught and beat after his 800m showing on Friday. But his foot was on the gas throughout the anchor leg. Sangely split a 1:49.76 to lead his 4x800m to a US#1 mark of 7:39.70 for a 10 second win at Pepsi Florida Relays.
His most impressive feature is his range over all distance events. While holding US#1 currently over 800m, Sangely was the FHSAA 4A Cross Country State Champion and a Brooks XC Championships qualified taking 9th at the South Regional. While his display over 800m this weekend was certainly impressive, he has a 4:06.83 1600m personal best and could have a big 1600m/Mile performance coming soon in addition to his 800m success.
