The sparkling state championship football ring Cody Riggs sported for the first time Monday gave the St. Thomas Aquinas two-sport star his third piece of championship jewelry in the past two seasons.

Not bad for a junior who could add a fourth ring if the Raiders boys' track team repeats at the FHSAA Class 3A state Finals at Winter Park on Friday.

''To have four rings on your hand would be special,'' Riggs said. ``You don't see that from too many high school kids".

Riggs' play as an all-state cornerback helped the Raiders win back-to-back state titles in football.

On Friday, the nationally ranked hurdler will try to help the Raiders join South Broward (1949-50) as the only Broward boys' track team to go back-to-back.

The Raiders' biggest challenge should come from Tampa Hillsborough, Charlotte and Palm Beach Dwyer.

''It seems that train is moving along and picking up steam,'' said Raiders first-year coach Alex Armenteros.

``I just hope we can hold it throughout the state meet.''

Riggs' dominance in the hurdles and long jump has offset the absence of a premier sprinter, which has been a staple of past Raiders teams.

Riggs is undefeated in the 300 hurdles and heavily favored to defend his state title after clocking a career-best 37.10 -- the No. 4 time in the nation, at the Region 4-3A championships.

That new time, coupled with Rigg's recovery from a heel injury that has bothered him all season, could set him up for a shot at Miami Central Bershawn ''Batman'' Jackson's state record (36.01).

'Cody is the kind of kid that definitely has something left in his tank,'` said Armenteros. ``I think if somebody does step up and challenge him, he will run in the low 36's.''

Riggs enters as the region champion in the long jump (23-6.50) but things are less certain in the 110 high hurdles where Leto's Antwoun Howard and Dwyer's Junior Cadet are the top two seeds.

'I believe I can win all three but I need to get better in the 110 hurdles,'` said Riggs. ``I hit every hurdle at regions and that messed me up. I plan on going 24 feet in the Long jump. That should put me in good position.''

Newcomers Phillip Dorsett (long jump) and Arman Hall (400, 1600 relay) have also provided a lift, along with Stephan Chung (800), John Marmarosa and Garth Jobb (discus).

The Raiders' pole vault corps got a boost with the return of David Shepherd from a broken thumb. Shepherd competed in the triple jump while the thumb healed and only had one meet to train before the district championships.

''The thumb really set me back.'' he said. ``I lost some of my swing. I wasn't getting inverted as well as I did before I broke it. I didn't lose any height but I didn't gain any. I'm hoping for 15 feet.''

Hallandale freshman Kyri Tabor holds Broward's best hope for gold in the sprints. Tabor finished second in the 100 and third in the 200 at the Region 4-3A championship. Fort Lauderdale's Jahneel Tyrell has qualified in the high jump, long jump and triple jump.

On the boys' side, Northeast's Sean Lange (100) and Pascal Orelus, who won the 400 at regions, will command most of the spotlight.

NOTES

Those unable to attend the FHSAA Class 3A and 4A Track Finals in Winter Park on Friday and Saturday will be able to watch it live on flrunners.com. The broadcast will start at 6:45 p.m. each day with commentary provided by Robert Cooke, a well-known track and field personality. It will be the first live broadcast from the finals.

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