Preston Sangely, a senior at Spanish River, aims for four state titles in track and field at the upcoming championship meet in Jacksonville. His events include the 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters, and the 4x800 relay.
Key points
Preston Sangely is a senior at Spanish River.
He aims for four state titles at the championship meet.
Events include 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and 4x800 relay.
The state championship is on April 5 in Jacksonville.
Winning all four events would elevate his legacy.
Mentioned in this story
Jacksonville
Preston SangelySpanish Riverstate championship
Spanish River senior Preston Sangely had grown nearly four inches in height since last school year, rising to 6-foot-1.
But Sangely has grown a lot more in other areas â maturity and dedication as a runner and who now possesses Olympian aspirations.
First up is the state championship meet in Jacksonville on Saturday, April 5Â where Sangely goes for four 4A state titles:Â 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters and running the crucial leg in the 4x800 relay.
If Sangely completes a quadruple state championship, he will undoubtedly go down as the greatest Palm Beach County track runner of all time. Sangely may already be there.
âMy goal," Sangely said, âis to win all four events."
Sangely, who has become leaner with almost no body fat, measures his words carefully. Perhaps itâs because French is his first language, though he is fluent in English. He moved from France at age 6.
Or perhaps because Sangely doesnât want to reveal the secret to his success and lose any edge.
Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy approach the second to last hurdle in their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy clear the last hurdle in their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Q&A
What events is Preston Sangely competing in at the state championship?
Preston Sangely is competing in the 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters, and the 4x800 relay.
When and where is the state championship meet taking place?
The state championship meet is taking place on Saturday, April 5, in Jacksonville.
How many state titles is Preston Sangely aiming to win?
Preston Sangely is aiming to win four state titles.
What would a quadruple state championship mean for Sangely's legacy?
If Sangely wins all four events, he would likely be recognized as the greatest Palm Beach County track runner of all time.
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Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy clear the last hurdle in their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy finish their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Cardinal Newman High School's Zamarii Sanders (10.81), left, won the boys 100-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Forest Hill Community High School's Emmanuel Rosario wins his heat in the boys 110-meter hurdles during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Left to right: Jewel Domingue (11.74) of American Heritage School, E'tesia Forbes (11.65) of Glades Central Community High School and Akari Marshall (11.79) finish the girls 100-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Forbes won the event.
Julian Luis (14.67) clears the last hurdle on his way to winning the 110-meter boys hurdles at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Cardinal Newman High School's Zamarii Sanders (10.81), left, won the boys 100-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (5:06.74) wins the girls 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (5:06.74) wins the girls 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Spanish River Community High School's Preston Sangely (4:27.55) left, and his brother Casey Sangely (4:27.77) placed first and second in the boys 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Spanish River Community High School's Preston Sangely (4:27.55) left, and his brother Casey Sangely (4:27.77), right, placed first and second in the boys 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Teammate Ryan Cook (4:28.01), center, placed third, earning a Spanish River sweep in the event.
William T. Dwyer High School's Kiley Smith (47.45) crosses the finish line to win the girls 4x100-meter relay race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
William T. Dwyer High School's Kiley Smith (47.45) crosses the finish line to win the girls 4x100-meter relay race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
The race starter signals a false start in the boys 4x100-meter relay against Royal Palm Beach Community High School during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Pahokee Middle Senior High School's Trent Hill (41.87) runs to the finish line to win the boys 4x100-meter relay race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Zeke Seraphin (50.47) wins his heat of the boys 400-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Seraphin placed fifth overall in the event.
Xzavier Campbell (48.46), second from right, runs to a first place finish in the boys 400-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (2:18.04), left placed first in the girls 800-meter race over The Benjamin School's Sofia Balistreri (2:19.53), right, at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (2:18.04), center, placed first in the girls 800-meter race over The Benjamin School's Sofia Balistreri (2:19.53), left, at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (2:18.04), left, placed first in the girls 800-meter race over The Benjamin School's Sofia Balistreri (2:19.53), left, at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
William T. Dwyer High School's Caitlin Berger (2.7m) placed fifth in the girls pole vault during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
The King's Academy's Taylor Glass (2.4m) placed seventh in the girls pole vault during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Julia Zimmerman (2.4m) placed sixth in girls pole vault during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
American Heritage School's Sophia Aere (3.15m) won the girls pole vault event at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School's Allyson Bodden (10.18m) warms up for the girls shot put during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Bodden placed ninth in the event.
American Heritage School's Jewel Domingue (5.92m) won the girls long jump event during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Cardinal Newman High School's, Isabel Dawkins (5.40m) placed fourth in the girls long jump event during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
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The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy approach the second to last hurdle in their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
1 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy approach the second to last hurdle in their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
2 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy clear the last hurdle in their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
3 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy clear the last hurdle in their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
4 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Jack Miller of The King's Academy and Kimley Exume of Atlantic Christian Academy finish their heat of the boys 110-meter hurdles to place second and third during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
5 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Cardinal Newman High School's Zamarii Sanders (10.81), left, won the boys 100-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
6 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Forest Hill Community High School's Emmanuel Rosario wins his heat in the boys 110-meter hurdles during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
7 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Left to right: Jewel Domingue (11.74) of American Heritage School, E'tesia Forbes (11.65) of Glades Central Community High School and Akari Marshall (11.79) finish the girls 100-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Forbes won the event.
8 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Julian Luis (14.67) clears the last hurdle on his way to winning the 110-meter boys hurdles at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
9 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Cardinal Newman High School's Zamarii Sanders (10.81), left, won the boys 100-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
10 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (5:06.74) wins the girls 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
11 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (5:06.74) wins the girls 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
12 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Spanish River Community High School's Preston Sangely (4:27.55) left, and his brother Casey Sangely (4:27.77) placed first and second in the boys 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
13 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Spanish River Community High School's Preston Sangely (4:27.55) left, and his brother Casey Sangely (4:27.77), right, placed first and second in the boys 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Teammate Ryan Cook (4:28.01), center, placed third, earning a Spanish River sweep in the event.
14 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
William T. Dwyer High School's Kiley Smith (47.45) crosses the finish line to win the girls 4x100-meter relay race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
15 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
William T. Dwyer High School's Kiley Smith (47.45) crosses the finish line to win the girls 4x100-meter relay race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
16 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
The race starter signals a false start in the boys 4x100-meter relay against Royal Palm Beach Community High School during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
17 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Pahokee Middle Senior High School's Trent Hill (41.87) runs to the finish line to win the boys 4x100-meter relay race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
18 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Zeke Seraphin (50.47) wins his heat of the boys 400-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Seraphin placed fifth overall in the event.
19 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Xzavier Campbell (48.46), second from right, runs to a first place finish in the boys 400-meter race during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
20 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
21 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (2:18.04), left placed first in the girls 800-meter race over The Benjamin School's Sofia Balistreri (2:19.53), right, at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
22 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (2:18.04), center, placed first in the girls 800-meter race over The Benjamin School's Sofia Balistreri (2:19.53), left, at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
23 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Spanish River Community High School's Alba Antunez-Perez (2:18.04), left, placed first in the girls 800-meter race over The Benjamin School's Sofia Balistreri (2:19.53), left, at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
24 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
William T. Dwyer High School's Caitlin Berger (2.7m) placed fifth in the girls pole vault during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
25 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
The King's Academy's Taylor Glass (2.4m) placed seventh in the girls pole vault during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
26 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Julia Zimmerman (2.4m) placed sixth in girls pole vault during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
27 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
American Heritage School's Sophia Aere (3.15m) won the girls pole vault event at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
28 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
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The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
30 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Palm Beach Gardens Community High School's Allyson Bodden (10.18m) warms up for the girls shot put during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Bodden placed ninth in the event.
31 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
American Heritage School's Jewel Domingue (5.92m) won the girls long jump event during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
32 / 32
The Benjamin School wins girls team, Spanish River is tops in boys
Cardinal Newman High School's, Isabel Dawkins (5.40m) placed fourth in the girls long jump event during the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
When asked his thought process going into states, Sangely said, âWhen are you going to print this? I donât want anyone to see the article and see what my plan is.ââ
Thatâs how serious he is about winning all four events in Jacksonville. Heâs got the best times entering states in the three individual events and relay. Heâs logged a 1:49.64 in the 800 at the University of Florida meet, a 4:06 in the 1600 at the FSU relays and an 8:58 in the 3200 at FSU.
In the 4x800 relay, the groupâs top time this year is 6 seconds faster than the mark Spanish River won at the state meet in 2025. Thatâs mostly because Preston and his twin brother Casey ran faster legs. Teammates Avery Rand and Ryan Cook complete the talented relay squad.
âHe hates to lose moreso than he loves to win, but he loves to win,ââ said Doug Horn, founding father of Spanish River track and field. âAn attribute some would say is a negative I say is a positive is heâs emotional.
âIf you want to be a great, you have to be emotional and have emotional intelligence. His emotions play a big factor in him being a winner. Being anything but a winner is so distasteful to him."
In fact, Sangely classifies last season as a disappointment because he only won a state title in the 4x800 relay. It was the first state title the Spanish Boys have ever copped in track but the milestone wasnât good enough for Sangely.
Spanish River Community High School's Preston Sangely (4:27.55) left, and his brother Casey Sangely (4:27.77) placed first and second in the boys 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
Spanish River Community High School's Preston Sangely (4:27.55) left, and his brother Casey Sangely (4:27.77) placed first and second in the boys 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026.
This fall, Sangleyâs senior year started with a big bang as he won the state title in cross country. Last week, he won the Region 4 titles in the 800, 1600 and 3200 without pushing himself.
âI always knew Iâd have a successful year when I just decided to put my focus all into running this year," Sangely said. âLast year was not a good year. I didnât make the smartest decisions. This year, I put everything aside and put running and school first."
Heâs eating better and taking more useful supplements. Sangely wonât disclose what he ingests because he doesnât want to advertise it to other runners. Sangely said heâs moved to a diet of more red meat. Red meat?
âIâm definitely skinnier now this year," Sangely said. âMy diet is better this year than last year. Iâm working out a lot more and my body is more defined. (The red meat) works for me and my brother. Not sure about other runners."
Sangelyâs mother, Emy, hails from Angola and ran competively in France. Sangely said heâs got her motherâs running genes.
Another female has also boosted him this year. Sangely started dating in September the new star from Spain, junior Alba Altunez-Perez, who moved to Boca Raton last summer.
Spanish River Community High School's Preston Sangely (4:27.55) left, and his brother Casey Sangely (4:27.77), right, placed first and second in the boys 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Teammate Ryan Cook (4:28.01), center, placed third, earning a Spanish River sweep in the event.
Spanish River Community High School's Preston Sangely (4:27.55) left, and his brother Casey Sangely (4:27.77), right, placed first and second in the boys 1600-meter race at the Palm Beach County Track and Field Championships at Lincoln Knowles Track on William T. Dwyer High School's campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on March 31, 2026. Teammate Ryan Cook (4:28.01), center, placed third, earning a Spanish River sweep in the event.
While Sangely won three regional titles last Saturday, Alba captured two â in the 1600 and 3200. Sangely bounced onto the track to greet her after her 1600 title. Alba speaks five languages and they converse mostly in French when alone.
âSheâs definitely helped me become a better person this year and more focused," Sangely said. âWe started dating almost as soon as I met her. Weâre workout buddies â three times a week.â
His relationship with his twin brother appears standard for twins. They are very close in spirit - and track time.  Casey finished second to Preston in two events last Saturday as he still recovers from a fall bike accident.
âWeâre not so competitive,ââ Preston said. âWe want both of us to win but obviously thatâs not possible."
While Coach Horn saw Preston in the 8th grade running for Omni Middle School and predicted a future state champion, it wasnât always so glorious.
Freshman year was a rollercoaster. âI remember I didnât like running and we had a time trial,ââ Preston said. âI ran in my basketball shoes as I was into basketball. I faked an ankle injury and didnât show up for a couple of weeks."
Horn wasnât going to let Sangely just quit. âHe just came to my door at my house,ââ Preston said. âHe came with new spikes. And I knew I couldnât turn down this opportunity. It would be selfish. I accepted the offer and just started running.â
What changed? âI didnât like running at the time and was dealing with personal stuff," Sangely said. âBut I just became a more talented runner by growing up. Once you grow up, the workouts feel easier. Your body adapts better."
That Sangely is as dangerous in the 800 as he is in the 3200 makes him extraordinary. Horn saw that potential in 8th grade.
âI saw a level of confidence, a swagger, and very smooth stride," Horn said. âHe was a natural. His range is very remarkable. What ultimately could be his best event is the 5,000 meters beyond college and pro levels. He can run everything from 400 to 5,000 meters."
In the classroom, Sangely worked diligently to be a straight A student. It wasnât easy and he battled most with chemistry. Horn said that English being his second language forced him to work harder than other kids.
The Palm Beach Post sports editor Nick Pugliese with Preston Sangely of Spanish River Community High School who was awarded Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year at The Palm Beach Post Fall Sports High School Awards Show on the Community Stage at the South Florida Fairgrounds in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on January 24, 2026.
The Palm Beach Post sports editor Nick Pugliese with Preston Sangely of Spanish River Community High School who was awarded Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year at The Palm Beach Post Fall Sports High School Awards Show on the Community Stage at the South Florida Fairgrounds in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on January 24, 2026.
And now Sangely has committed to a full ride to a premier Division II track program, Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina. The team is led by coach Bob Braman, who has worked with world-championship-calibre runners.
âA smaller academic setting will be good for him," Horn said. âBob is an exceptional coach and human being. Itâs the right destination for now. Weâll take it a year at a time."
Of his college choice, Sangely said, âI only went for the coach. My plan was to go to a D-I school but when Doug introduced me to (Braman), we connected well."
Horn believes Sangely can make a run at the 2032 Olympics. Sangely said he may even make a go at it for 2028 if things fall right. âAnything is a possibility," Preston said. âItâs how much Iâm going to work for it."
For now, Sangely is the hunted as a state title favorite in multiple events.
âIâm definitely a target to all the competitors,ââ Sangely said. âKids dropped their 1600 to win the 3200, but they werenât able to do it."
Horn says Sangely is easily the best trackster from the county since the famed Jefferson twins of Atlantic High back in 2004. Now Sangely has the chance to be the undisputed Palm Beach County GOAT.
âI think Iâm the best in Palm Beach County," Sangely said. âI donât think anyoneâs had a better PR than me in those events. Iâm comfortable with every event. Not just one. I donât have a main event. I like running the 800 the most. Itâs fast. It hurts the most and itâs over the quickest."
