Jacksonville Schools Shine at Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet

News Summary

Jacksonville is set to host the 60th Annual Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet, welcoming nearly 2,000 student-athletes from over 100 schools. The event will take place at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium, showcasing talents from middle schools and high schools over the weekend. This celebration of athletic excellence honors Bob Hayes, a Jacksonville legend, and highlights remarkable performances, including record-setting competitors. Support our local athletes and celebrate their hard work this weekend!

Jacksonville Schools to Shine at the Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet

Jacksonville is gearing up for an exciting weekend! The city will play host to the 60th Annual Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet, and it’s a big deal. Get ready to cheer on our local athletes as they showcase their incredible talents on a national stage!

When and Where

The fun kicks off on Friday at 4 p.m. for our middle school athletes, and they’ll be competing under the lights at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium. Then, the high school meet takes center stage on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. So, mark your calendars and plan to come out and support the teams!

A Great Tradition

This track and field meet is something special. Celebrating over 50 years of athletic excellence, the Bob Hayes Invitational is known as the nation’s largest single-day high school track event. It’s not just another meet; it’s a time for students from over 100 schools across Northeast Florida—and even from outside the state—to come together in friendly competition.

Honoring a Legend

The event honors Bob Hayes, a true Jacksonville hero who made history as the world’s fastest man in the 100-meter dash at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He didn’t just shine on the track, as he also achieved great success in football, making a name for himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Dallas Cowboys. Bob Hayes wasn’t just a legendary athlete; he was a trailblazer, recognized last year as No. 1 in the Times-Union’s Jax Greatest 100 series.

Exciting Athletes and Record-Setters

With nearly 2,000 athletes preparing to compete, excitement is in the air! Last year, Jackson senior Nieko Garnes made headlines when he set a meet record in the boys 400-meter hurdles with an incredible time of 52.92 seconds, making him one of the top competitors in the country. The Jackson boys 4×800 relay team, including Jordan Johnson, Alex Williams, Brandon Webb, and Garnes, also shone brightly with a speedy time of 8:02.62.

On the girls’ side, Kennedi Proctor claimed victory in the 800-meter with an impressive time of 2:16.36. The girls’ 4×800 relay team, featuring Samari Barrington, Taniyah Bartley, Jayla Daise, and Proctor, finished strong in 9:41.49.

Out-of-Town Talent

And let’s not forget the outstanding talent coming from out of state! Maurice Gleaton from Langston Hughes in Georgia clocked an impressive 10.01 seconds in the 100-meter dash, marking the second-fastest high school time in the U.S. this year. Isn’t that amazing?

Celebration of Athletic Excellence

In addition to the track meet, the weekend will be a celebration of athletic excellence. The Bob Hayes Hall of Fame gala will honor incredible athletes like Albert Chester, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Justin Gatlin, Garrett Scantling, and Twanisha Terry. You can expect to see Olympic stars like Christian Coleman, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Dennis Mitchell in attendance as they celebrate our emerging athletes.

Upcoming Events

As the weekend continues, there’s more on the horizon for our student-athletes, including the Red and Black Invitational at Parker, as many schools enjoy their spring break.
Meanwhile, don’t miss the thrilling matchup of Team East vs. Team West in the Reps On Reps All-Star Classics for boys and girls basketball held at Florida State College at Jacksonville South Campus.

Wrapping Up

This weekend promises to be filled with excitement, record-breaking performances, and a chance to honor the legacy of a true Jacksonville legend. Come out and cheer on our students—they’ve worked hard, and they deserve our support!

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Additional Resources

• Jacksonville.com: Bob Hayes Invitational 2025 Records
• Wikipedia: Bob Hayes
• Tallahassee.com: FAMU Quarterback Inducted
• Google Search: Bob Hayes Invitational
• UNF Ospreys: First Annual Collegiate Bob Hayes Invitational
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Bob Hayes
• Jacksonville.com: Bob Hayes Invitational Track Field Preview
• Google News: Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet