Alexa Schwartz, in just her second season throwing the javelin, was lights-out at the Class 2A state championships at the University of North Florida Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.
The North Broward Prep junior, who finished second at state last year, improved her performance by a considerable margin, adding 20 feet to her total for a school-record 147 feet, 3 inches. At state, she was just 8 inches off the state record set by Shorecrest Prep’s Sonoma Kasica last year. Schwartz helped North Broward Prep finish in a tie for 16th.
“I knew what (the record) was going in and I really did want to beat it and get my name up there and fell a little short,” added Schwartz, who also was an All-County first-team basketball selection for the Eagles. She won states by 25 feet this year. “I’m confident that next year I’ll be able to get it. I am proud of the work I put in and even though I am relatively new to the sport to have this result and have other people recognize you is great.”
North Broward Prep coach John Garrish said Schwartz was key in the school winning its first district title in addition to sending a school-record 13 athletes to state.
“Alexa is more than just our captain, state champion, and record holder,” Garrish said. “She has absolutely transcended our program and school in every way. She is the person our young students look to for guidance and an example of what a scholar-athlete should be. She works tirelessly on the runway and basketball court and challenges herself just as much in the weight room and classroom. Without her, I’m certain we wouldn’t have won our first district championship, and our program wouldn’t be in the position that it is today.”
