Lee Trawick, Reporter2@riverbendnews.org
The 2022 high school track season was filled with personal records and broken school records, all of which were achieved in the hopes of competing at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Championships. This season's headlines covered an assortment of names, including Justin Hernandez, Nathalia Veal and Kiami McKnight. As the season progressed, more and more stars rose to the top on their way to the season's climax in Gainesville, Fla., at the FHSAA State Championships.
Most often, as the season progresses to the District Championships and Regional Championships, athletes focus on the event that would give them their best chance at a State Championship title. However, some find a way to excel in more than one event. This was the case for Suwannee High School senior Garrison Beach, who advanced to the FHSAA State Championships in three separate events. Not only did he compete, but he also finished his senior campaign with top-five finishes in all three events. Beach placed fourth in the 110 hurdles and fifth in the 300 hurdles. However, perhaps in his best event, Beach placed second in the Javelin event.
Throughout his high school career, Beach played three years of varsity football for the Bulldogs and was a member of the weightlifting team, where he won a State Championship this year in the snatch event. However, track and field are where his heart lies. Not only was he a track star for the Bulldogs, but he was also a leader in the way he prepared in practices and the days of meets. His leadership didn't stop there, though, as he was also widely considered to be a great teammate and friend along the way.
It's because of all this that Suwannee High School senior Garrison Beach has been named the 2022 All-Riverbend Track Star of the Year.