Chelsi Williams dominated girls track for the past five years, winning girls athlete of the year as an eighth-grader at McKeel then winning the past four years at George Jenkins. She is now at Georgia and the top spot was wide open with a few top candidates. George Jenkins’ Tori Gibson dominated the hurdles and also was strong in field events. Winter Haven’s Desiree Murray dominated the sprints and finished third in the state in the 100. Lakeland Christian’s Emma Wilkinson had second- and fourth-place finishes at state, lowered her county record in the 3,200 and set a school record in the 1,600. But in the end, Winter Haven’s Olivia Celiscar won the state title for the second year in a row and is as the county record in the event, she is the greatest athlete in the shot put in Polk County history.
Girls Track Athlete of the Year
Olivia Celiscar
Winter Haven, Senior
Shot Put, Discus
Best Marks: 44-03, 120-1.5
Celiscar won her first state title in the shot put last year at the 4A state meet. She nearly won another state title in girls weightlifting before settling for silver to go along with the bronze medal she had already clinched. She got her second gold medal when she repeated as state champion in the shot put at last month’s 4A state meet. Along with two state title, she graduates holding the county record in the shot put. In the discus, she finished first at county, second at districts and third at regionals.
Girls Coach of the Year
Curtis Williams
George Jenkins
Jenkins graduated four first-team, all-county selections, including Chelsi Williams who dominated four events, along with three honorable mention selections from last year’s team. Head coach Curtis Williams rebuilt the depth, brought along returning athletes to lead the Eagles to county, district and region titles.
First Team
Desirae Murray
Winter Haven, Senior
100, 200
Best Marks: 11.62, 24.0
Michaelah Williams
George Jenkins, Junior
400, Long Jump
Best Marks: 56.0, 19-05
Charlotte Roy
All Saints, Seventh Grade
800
Best Marks: 2:23.79
Emma Wilkinson
Lakeland Christian, Senior
1,600, 3,200
Best Marks: 5:08.54, 11:02.52
Tori Gibson
George Jenkins, Junior
100 Hurdles, 400 Hurdles,
Best Marks: 14.34, 1:03.28
Natalie Moss
George Jenkins, Junior
High Jump
Best Marks: 5-01.75
Wiseberly Payoute
Auburndale, Junior
High Jump
Best Marks: 5-01.75
Taraji Bell
George Jenkins, Sophomore
Triple Jump
Best Marks: 36-04.5
Sophia Suman
George Jenkins, Senior
Pole Vault
Best Marks: 8-10.25
LaVon Pozar
Lakeland Christian, Senior
Javelin
Best Marks: 93-09.75
Honorable Mention
All Saints: Alahna Hawkins, Caroline Fischer, Lindsey Cook, Kelsey Cook, Kylie Cook.
Auburndale: Wizly Payoute, Imani Kelly.
Frostproof: Jean Taylor, Alyssa Ingraham.
Geneva Classical: Ella Feder, Sophie Yates, Katelyn Willey.
George Jenkins: Geriah Street, Sainabou Touray, Lillian Choe, Gia Terrazas, Veranique Primus, Isabella Babb, Syesha Davis, Finley Crowell.
Haines City: Krishana Livingston, Divineya Smith, Kayla Gabriel.
Lake Gibson: Eliza Kallie Santos.
Lake Region: Jayla Patterson.
Lake Wales: Nayelie St. Fleur, Alee Gibson, Angel White, Jordyn Alston
Lakeland: Micaela Manago, Samantha Castro, Tyra Henley.
Lakeland Christian: Kendra Simpson, Kenley Chandler, Mia Hermina, Sophia Coscia, Issa Simpson, Finley Traffanstedt.
McKeel: Jenna Jordan.
Mulberry: Kennedy McDonald.
Santa Fe Catholic: Ajayia Hodges.
Tenoroc: Kyla McKenzie.
Winter Haven: Ashari Conoly, Mar’Kaila Holloway, Deveen McPherson, McKenzie Alicia-Bull, Stefoni Smith, Cheyanne Gouldbourne, Kayal Weaver, Paris Wright, Antoinette Jacobs, Maley Sainvistal, Torriona Nance, Janae Garbutt.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Meet The Ledger’s 2026 All-County Girls Track and Field Team
Reporting by Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
