Dr. Phillips track and field teams thriving

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS — Dominant.

It’s really the only way to describe the boys and girls track and field programs for Dr. Phillips so far this season.

As the programs near the halfway point of the spring season, the Panthers boys team is ranked No. 1 across all classifications by FlRunners.com, and both the boys team and the girls team have placed first at every meet they’ve competed in — with the two programs sweeping top-team honors at the Lake Brantley Classic this past weekend.

Husband and wife Jorge and Angie Fleitas lead the two programs and, as Jorge Fleitas sees it, the boys team is simply reaping the rewards of a work ethic that is focused on a team state title.

“I think we have a nice little core group of guys that are really working hard every day,” Jorge Fleitas said. “They really are anxious for that state meet to come.”

The team includes several standouts — from sprinter Alvin Bryant Jr. to Vernon Walker and Emare Hogan, among plenty of others.

But while few doubt the Panthers’ talent, it is still important for Dr. Phillips’ boys team to have a leader who can keep his teammates focused while thriving, individually.

“Jamari Smith is our leader — he’s a senior, he’s our 400-meter runner, and he’s our core,” Jorge Fleitas said.  “The team builds around him.”

On the girls’ side of things, Angie Fleitas said the continuity coming with her second year of coaching the team has helped her squad aim high.

“Getting to know me, and then getting to know each other and coming together as a team, is what’s really helping us,” Angie Fleitas said.

Alahni Wood, a junior, has been a leader for the girls team, specializing in the 100-meter hurdles, triple jump and long jump.

“Alahni is definitely one of my leaders; she’s a captain,” Angie Fleitas said. “She’s very versatile, so it works out in our favor.”

Though both teams are on fire as of late, they will each be tested this coming weekend at the Brian Jaeger Classic on Saturday at Showalter Field in Winter Park. The event is invite-only and will include some of the other top programs in the region.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].