Eddie Lovett, Sr., Palm Beach Lakes: Post All-Area boys track athlete of the year

Friday, June 04, 2010
by Cristina Ledra

Photo by Ray Graham/The Palm Beach Post

Click here to see other players of the year and All-Area teams.

If not for a broken arm, Palm Beach Lakes senior Eddie Lovett might have been just another really good hurdler instead of one who holds the best time in the state.

Playing football for Palm Beach Lakes, Lovett broke his arm last fall in the third game and missed the rest of the season. One of the best receivers in the area, he had been recruited for track and football together. But after the injury, interest disappeared.

"From the time I broke my arm to (track) regionals, I had no offers on the table," Lovett said.

He consulted with his family, coaches and mentors. Having won gold in the Class 4A 110 hurdles in the state meet last year, he decided to shift his concentration entirely to track.

"On paper, I should be the top hurdler coming out of Florida," Lovett said. "I had the fastest time and I won state in the toughest (classification) in my first full year."

Following surgery on his arm, Lovett pushed to train any way he could. Early season cold weather held his times back, but once the weather warmed up, Lovett shaved his 110 time down steadily over time.

At the Class 3A state meet, Lovett broke the 20-year-old state record in the 110 hurdles (13.46) and also placed third in the 300 hurdles (37.36) and second in the triple jump, with a leap of 45 feet, 4 inches).

"I didn't know I was going to run a 13.4," Lovett said. " My mind-set for that race like every race is just to come out as hard as I can. It was just amazing how once I broke 14 (seconds during the season) we started doing some really tough practices and then my races were almost perfect."

When it was all over, Lovett had a state record, and a track scholarship to the University of Florida, where he will start his college career in August.

"I've still been playing it cool," Lovett said. "Even though I broke the state record, I'm going to try to keep it going. It was such a big event but I don't want to leave it at that."

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jerome Groover

Palm Beach Lakes

Has produced many strong girls teams, but the boys team impressed by finishing third in the Class 3A state meet.

FIRST TEAM

Ian Williams

King's Academy, Sr.

Won gold in 200 (22.15), silver in 100 (11.07) at 1A state meet.

Justin Osking

John Carroll, Jr.

Won the Class 1A shot put by more than 5 feet (55-5).

Talyn Washington

Berean Christian, Jr.

Area's best in the 400 all season, state gold medal winner.

Ryan Pickering

John I. Leonard, Jr.

Won 1600 (4:11.77) state title and was fourth in 3200 (9:23.14).

Steven Louis

Palm Beach Lakes, Sr.

One of three standout Rams hurdlers, silver in 3A 300 (37.27).

Antwan Wright

Suncoast, So.

Area's best sprinter as a sophomore, silver in state 200, bronze in 100.

Tyrico McGriff

Inlet Grove, Junior

Placed fourth in 2A long jump in second straight state berth.

Anderson Charles

John I. Leonard, So.

Was second in state 4A 800 in a thrilling race, also sixth in 1600.

Daniel Forgony

Dwyer, Jr.

Strong at 4A state meet, placed third in discus, sixth in shot put.

Jamaal Wallace

King's Academy, Sr.

Threw personal-best on final attempt to win 1A discus (156-4), also third in shot put.

SECOND TEAM

Emarkis Gunn

Palm Beach Lakes, Jr.

Somon Nader

Spanish River, Sr.

Joshua Thornton

Glades Day, Jr.

Derrick Wood

Royal Palm Beach, Sr.

Desir Valcin

Glades Central, Sr.

Jonas Elusme

Park Vista, Sr.

Landon Hargrove

Dwyer. Sr.

Jevon Hutchison

Park Vista, Sr.

Deniz Hay

Park Vista, Sr.

Darius Millines

American Heritage, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Lincoln Park - Cedrick Quickley, Landon Meyer, Lawrence Ware, Nick Wright; John I. Leonard - Joshua Visi-Clark, Carlos Martinez; Suncoast - Gabriel Aird, Gennessis Hughes, Victor Osborne; Benjamin - Charly Schooley; John Carroll - Will Holman, James McHugh; St. Andrew's - Ed Mulder; South Fork - Tyler Brennalt; Okeechobee - Ricky Nieto; Fort Pierce Central - McKinley Allen.