Boyd Anderson girls ready for competition

Imagine having your fortunes linked to three other people and that one split-second gaffe could ruin it for everybody.

The Boyd Anderson girls' relay teams have navigated that slippery slope all season.

Thanks to precision stick handling and near telepathic-like communication on handoffs, Boyd Anderson is the lone school bringing three relay teams ranked top four in Florida to the Florida High School Athletic Association's Class 4A Track and Field Finals at Showalter Field in Winter Park.

''You have to really trust the next person,'' said sophomore Sharniece Supal, who will run the 1,600 relay with Rebecca James, Eva Pierce and Rachael James. ``Trust that just as you work hard and you gave it all, you have to know the other person you pass the baton to will do the same.''

The team to beat in the 1,600 relay appears to be Miami Northwestern, which brings the state's top time (3:46.01) into the finals, followed by Miami Southridge (3:46.89), Lake Mary (3:50.42) and the Cobras (3:51.50).

While Southridge enters as a slight favorite to win the team title and defending state champion Northwestern is known to ratchet it up for states, a big day by the Boyd Anderson relay, along with a few breaks here and there, could have the Cobras in the hunt.

''We are looking to win all three relays, that is our goal,'' said Cobras co-head coach Duchane Thomas. ``Thirty points would be great. I know it is going to be tough with Southridge. Everyone has to contribute. The team is not about one. It is about everybody contributing.''

For the Cobras to stay in contention late, they will need a season-best effort from it's 3,200 relay team of Rebecca James, Pierce, Philimina Louis and Rachael James.

The Cobras clocked the No. 4 time in the state (9:27.89) to win the BCAA title but are looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing performance at the Florida Relays. In what was a highly anticipated early season head-to-head matchup against Miami Northwestern, the Cobras finished ninth in 9:53.65. Northwestern, meanwhile, cruised to victory in 9:06.89, which has held up as the No. 1 time in Florida.

Rachael James, who along with twin sister Rebecca and Eva Pierce, helped the Cobras set the school-record (9:10.76) at the 2007 finals, said the Florida Relays served as a wake-up call.

''I think we were too prideful,'' Rachael James said. ``That was a nice way of the Lord telling us to stay humble. On Saturday, we just want to keep it strong and keep our mind on God and know that he will push us through and give us strength.''

Expect some fireworks from the Cobras No. 1 ranked 400-meter relay team. Behind Jasmine Gary, Kinnesha Jones, Alicia Service and star anchor Sheila Paul, the Cobras clocked a state-leading 47.19 at the BCAA Finals and find themselves within one more victory of an undefeated season.

Better competition might push the Cobras to challenge the school record (46.97) set at the 2006 state meet.

''We are undefeated and that feels good,'' Jones said. ``All the relays are friends and sisters on the track. We depend on each other and try to push each other when it comes to competing. They push me to the point where I can't run anymore and that is good.''