Durant product Mitchell leads locals for start of indoor track season

Posted Jan 14, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 14, 2012 at 11:50 PM

Former Durant track standout John Mitchell, the state 800-meter champion his senior year, highlighted a strong performance by the locals in the opening weekend of the 2012 track and field season.

Competing now as a University of Florida junior, Mitchell took second in the 800 at the Alabama Invitational in Birmingham, Ala.. on Saturday. Mitchell turned in a tinme of 1 minute, 51.54 seconds, just .04 behind teammate Tyler Cardillo, a freshman who last spring won the state 800 crown for Punta Gorda Charlotte.

Also competing from the county were Dan Wehunt of Sickles, who was sixth in the mile at 4:22.26, and former Wharton star Sean Obinwa, a national qualifier last year in the 800. At this meet, Obinwa stepped down to the 400 and took eighth in 48.70.

At the Virginia Tech Invitational on Friday in Blacksburg, Va., former Middleton standout Amber Brooks was 20th in the women’s mile at 5:25.46.

Florida State was also at the meet but only sent throwers and jumpers. Dotting the Seminoles’ roster this season are John Grellner (distances) of Wharton, Darrin Gibson (middle distances) and Terril Gibson (sprints) of Robinson, Garrett Singletary (javelin) of Jesuit and Dentarius Locke (sprints) of Chamberlain.