Dillard’s Gill, Flanagan’s Carter are Broward Track and field Coaches of the Year
Fort Lauderdale Dillard had not won a state track and field team championship in over four decades when Davidson Gill began transforming the Panthers into a consistent champion.
The Panthers have now become one of the state’s elite programs, winning their third consecutive state title this past season.
At Flanagan High in Pembroke Pines, a similar breakthrough has occurred with its boys’ team.
The Falcons developed into one of the state’s best and reached a new level this season by winning their first state championship under the guidance of coach Jaysha Carter.
As such, Gill and Carter are the Miami Herald’s Broward County Track and Field Coaches of the Year.
Gill wins the honors on the girls’ side once again after the Panthers pulled off their first three-peat in school history.
For the fourth consecutive season, Dillard finished either as the state runner-up or state champion in Class 3A.
The Panthers’ rise continues to be even more impressive as they have taken over dominance of their classification after snapping longtime powerhouse Miami Northwestern’s state-record 14-year state championship streak in 2024.
Dillard once again fielded a deep team with several talented athletes, led by sprinter Desiree Frazier, who ran the anchor leg of the 1,600-meter relay team and surged into the lead to secure that event’s state title. The crucial 10 points vaulted Dillard into first place and clinched the team title as well.
The Panthers lose Frazier and distance runner Abigail Richards, but return every other key athlete on their squad, setting them up for continued success.
Flanagan had been building up to a potential team title in recent years, first under Jessica Carter and now her daughter, Jaysha, who took over as head coach this season. Carter is the Coach of the Year on the girls’ side.
After a runner-up finish last season, the Falcons broke through in Class 4A this season in convincing fashion, and ended Miami Columbus’ back-to-back reign at the top.
Flanagan finished with 77 points, led by sprinter Jacob Thomas, long jump state champion Raymond Hawkins and 400-meter hurdles state champion Alijah McKenzie. The Falcons also secured a state title in the 400-meter relay, which featured Thomas, McKenzie, Hawkins and Ronald Daniels.
Flanagan is expected to return the trio of Thomas, Hawkins and McKenzie next season, which could have it primed to repeat as state champions.
