Niceville dominates field events, wins 5th state title in 6 years

JACKSONVILLE — Once again, Niceville's field and track trumps everyone else's track and field.

With Charlie Perkins leading the way, Emily Webb's "throwsville" men accounted for seven medalist efforts and 45 points, and the field portion celebrated two individual state champs and scored 76 of the team's 88 points to lead the Eagle men to a 3A state team title. Edging runner-up Belen Jesuit 86-74, it was their fifth title in six years and the most points contributed by Eagles throws since combining for 53 points in 2022's state title run.

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Perkins won the shot put with a PR throw of 17.80 meters, but more than the first-place throw was Niceville's depth that came in the event. Defending state champ Nunu Krider followed in second with a throw of 17.78m, Memphis Mays placed third with a throw of 17.63m and Hudson Alt was 5th with a throw of 16.95m. That's four male Eagles medalist in the shot put for 28 points.

Niceville's four state medalists in the shot put, including state champ Charlie Perkins, pose on the podium after earning a collective 28 points to help lead the Eagles to a team state title. NICEVILLE HIGH

Perkins also placed second in the discus with a throw of 56.32m, the junior earning 18 points for the team all by himself. Add in nine points from the Javelin, an event Niceville's Caleb Hurtado finished fourth with a throw of 56.58m and teammate Mason Threet followed in fifth with a throw of 55.36m.

Continuing the field theme, Niceville's pole vault contributed 26 points behind four medalists. At the center of it all was Asa Loicano, who cleared 4.80m for gold. Jacob Kincaid finished runner up by clearing 4.65m, Hurtado was fourth after clearing 4.50m and Jack Jones was sixth after posting 4.25m clearance. Finally, Jay Galindo finished fourth in the triple jump with a distance of 14.76m.