Chiles’ Avery Bartlett, Ponte Vedra’s Nicole Greene Claim Track Awards
GAINESVILLE (June 16) – Seniors Avery Bartlett of Tallahassee Chiles High School and Nicole Greene of Ponte Vedra High School have been named the 2015 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Track and Field and Miss Track and Field following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school track and field coaches and media representatives.
Bartlett, a Georgia Tech signee, swept the Boys’ Class 3A state titles in the 800 and 1,600 meters with times of 1:53 and 4:12, the top times in the events at any level. In addition to winning his second straight 800-meter title, Bartlett helped Chiles to its second straight state team title by running on point-producing 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams. Bartlett won this year’s award over Class 4A track athlete-of-the-year Ari Cogdell of American High School, Class 2A award winner Chauncey Gardner of Cocoa High School and Class 1A award winner Franco Martins of Windermere Preparatory School.
Greene, a University of North Carolina signee, swept the Girls’ Class 3A high jump, long jump and triple jump titles at this year’s state meet, becoming the first athlete to win all three jumps and the fourth athlete to win three individual state titles on the same day. She won her third straight state high jump title and her season-best leap of 6 feet, ½ inch ranked second in the nation. The other finalists for this year’s award included Class 4A track athlete-of-the-year Sinclaire Johnson of Lake Brantley, Class 2A award winner Kimani Rushing of Hallandale and Class 1A award winner Brittany McGee of Admiral Farragut.
The Florida Dairy Farmers Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to the state’s youth. This is the 23rd year of these unique awards as we honor the state’s top athletes and coaches in an all-time high 30 sanctioned and recognized FHSAA sports. The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan.