BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Bradford High School’s Elijah Kellum earned two automatic bids to the state finals with two runner-up finishes at the Region 1-2A track and field meet on May 7 at Jacksonville’s University of North Florida.
The top two in each event earned the right to move on to the state finals, which will be held Thursday, May 16, at the University of North Florida.
Kellum took second in the long jump with a distance of 22-6.5, which left him trailing Florida High’s Micahi Danzy half an inch. Third-place finisher Dominick Nicholson of West Florida jumped 22-3.
Bradford’s Brayden Smyth also competed in the long jump, finishing 19th with a distance of 18-9.25.
In the triple jump, Kellum jumped 44-2, which left him trailing only Jaden Robinson of South Walton. Robinson jumped 45-9.75.
Wakulla’s Jayden Jean was third with a distance of 43-5.75.
The boys long jump and triple jump start at the state meet begin at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.
Bradford’s Jaleel Easley also competed in the boys field, running a 20th-place time of 52.12 in the 400m.
The Tornadoes’ 4x100m girls relay team of Kaelyn Booker, Melissa Harding, Diamond Fergerson and Kendell Shanks ran a 21st-place time of 1:01.
