The Buchholz boys track and field team was the highest area finisher at the FHSAA State Track and Field Championships at the University of North Florida in May. The Bobcats took seventh in the final Class 4A standings.

Buchholz was led by four athletes, who are all members of this year’s 2025 Bosshardt Realty All Area big school boys track and field team (3A-4A).

Senior Gino Palazzolo led the way for Buchholz, finishing second in the 3200 meters at the state meet with a time of 9 minutes, 21.71 seconds. In fact, the Bobcats finished 2-3-4 in the 3200, with junior Samuel Freas placing third in 9:25.18 and junior Demetrie Meyers taking fourth in 9:25.39.

Kenan Willard of Vero Beach won the race in a time of 9:14.93.

“Gino (Palazzolo) has capped off an illustrious career at Buchholz High School and will be continuing both his education and athletic pursuits at Florida State University,” Buchholz track and field distance coach Gregory Meyers said. “During his time at Buchholz, Gino developed into an outstanding leader, a dedicated teammate, a school record holder, a state champion, an All-American and a national champion. I have no doubt that he will bring the same drive for excellence to Florida State, where his success will be determined by his unwavering commitment.”

Freas finished right behind Meyers in the 3200 meters at the state meet in Jacksonville.

“Sam Freas is a resilient athlete who continues to push his limits,” Gregory Meyers said. “Despite setbacks, he concluded the season with outstanding performances that propelled him onto the state stage. Sam is already an All-State performer and a state champion in cross country, and he has now reached the All-State level in track for the 3200 meters. With his determination and work ethic, we anticipate even greater achievements from him in 2026.”

Demetrie Meyers finished right behind Freas in fourth in the 3200. He also placed 12th in the 1600 meters at the state meet with a time of 4:24.75.

“Demetrie Meyers is new to Florida but certainly not new to track and field,” Gregory Meyers said. “This year has been a period of transition for him, yet he has adapted admirably, embracing a new school, new training regimen, and different climate. Demetrie was a key member of Buchholz’s All-American 4xMile team at the Nike Nationals and has consistently ranked among the top three distance runners on our squad. Most recently, he ran an impressive 9:09 in the 3200 meters at the Garmin RunningLane Championships in Alabama. As he prepares for the New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia, we expect a strong performance, and he is poised for an outstanding 2026 season.”

The fourth Buchholz athlete was another distance runner, junior Davis Garrett. Garrett finished third in the 1600 meters at the state meet with a time of 4:17.61 seconds. The winner was Levi Lee of Poinciana (Kissimmee) with a time of 4.14.93.

“Davis Garrett had a breakthrough season after overcoming injuries that sidelined him for much of his first year and a half of training,” Gregory Meyers said. “Emerging as a standout middle-distance runner, Davis consistently set new personal records week after week. His lighthearted demeanor shifts when he steps onto the track, where he transforms into a fierce competitor. He has earned All-State recognition, Nike All-American honors, and was a contributing member of the 2024 state championship cross-country team.”

Gainesville places two athletes on the big school boys team. The Hurricanes placed 13th overall in the 3A boys standings, led by the only individual state champion in the area in senior Tayeshawn Rochelle.

Rochelle took home the 400 hurdles title with a personal best time of 52.44 seconds, overcoming a five-meter deficit over the final 100 meters to defeat Northwestern (Miami) senior Makhi Fleming.

Rochelle, who was one of the top 400 hurdlers in 2024, missed the state final due to a hamstring injury a year ago.

This time, he had no trouble qualifying and became the first athlete from an Alachua County school to win the 400 hurdles since 1973.

“Tayeshawn has the heart of a lion and never backs down from competition,” Gainesville coach Terrell Battle said. “Every track meet throughout the season, he was able to will the power to take down anyone he was competing against in the 400-meter hurdles. At times, he made it look effortless winning.”

Gainesville senior Donovan Ferguson also placed fourth in the 400, finishing in 48.29. Tywan Cox of Northwestern (Miami) won the race in a time of 46.06 seconds.

“His (Donovan’s) motor never stops running,” Battle said. “You can never tell him to take a day off from practice. He worked hard in practices and took initiative to take care of his body during off days and was always ready for a challenge.”

The final athlete on the big school boys squad is Columbia senior Omarion Udell. He took second in the 3A 110 hurdles, finishing with a time of 14.47, just behind the winning time of 14.45.

Udell had entered the 110 hurdle final seeded eighth and he had been nursing a leg injury all week and was nearly late for the race after a rain delay the night before in Jacksonville. But he turned it on in the final and almost got the win.

The All Area small school boys track and field team (1A-2A) is led by Oak Hall senior Dakota Brower. Brower, who will be playing football at the University of Pennsylvania, made a late run in the Class 1A 400 final and ended with a personal best of 48.38 seconds, which set a school record. He lost the state title by 0.002 seconds to Michael Winfield of Benjamin School (West Palm Beach).

Brower also placed sixth in the 200 with a time of 22.18.

“Dakota Brower is a standout athlete known for his talent and determination,” Oak Hall coach Edwin McTureous said. “He finished his senior year on a high note with an impressive final season.”

Oak Hall finished 10th in the Class 1A boys team standings and just missed out on a state title in the 4×800 relay. Holy Trinity (Melbourne) was originally called for a lane violation, and the Eagles were awarded the first-place medals. But a protest was filed after the final results were posted and Holy Trinity was reinstated as the winner.

The final member of the boys small school team is Saint Francis Catholic Academy junior Dominick Diaz. Diaz.

In his first appearance at the state meet, Diaz finished second in the Class1A pole vault with a leap of 13-3.5, equaling a Saint Francis school record.