Mills repeats as state hurdles champion

Winning two state championships in a row is a remarkable accomplishment.
But that’s what Port St. Joe’s Darian Mills did on Wednesday, May 11, at the FHSAA 1A state finals in
Gainesville.
Mills, who won gold in the 110 meter hurdles at last year’s 1A state championship event as a junior,
successfully defended his crown with a 14.05 sprint, a half-second better than his winning time in 2021.
The Tiger Shark senior followed that feat with his second first place finish of the day when he won the
300 meter hurdles with a time of 37.75.
St. Joe’s Damari Johnson took silver in the triple jump event with a leap of 30 feet 6.75 inches, D.J.
Oliver threw the shot 47 feet 11.75 inches for fourth place, and Lily Wockenfuss also took fourth in pole
vault at a height of 10 feet 10 inches.
Johnson also had a top-10 finish in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 16.07 for ninth place, while
Madelyn Gortemoller came in ninth in the 800 meter run with a time of 2.22.56.
“I’m proud of all of the athletes,” said Tiger Shark coach Keion McNair.
Ever busy, McNair coached girls cross country last fall and assisted with the girls basketball team in the
winter before track season began, and will only take a few days off before starting his summer programs.
“I start Monday, LOL,” said McNair.