Two Leon County Pole Vaulters Set State Records at Pepsi Florida Relays

On Apr. 4, the University of Florida held a two-day high school meet called the Pepsi Florida Relays that included some of the top athletes in the area. Multiple schools from Leon County competed while having two stand out performances from Maclay and Rickards athletes in the pole vault event.

Maclay – Elizabeth Dowdy

Auburn commit, Elizabeth Dowdy (Sr.), won the girls pole vaulting event at the Pepsi Florida Relays and did so while also breaking state records. Dowdy not only broke the 2025 state record with a PR of 4.05 M, but she also now holds the all-time record for the state of Florida. Her recent jump of 4.05 M also puts her in eighth place in the country for the 2025 season.

Rickards – Darius Jones II

Rickards boys pole vaulter, Darius Jones, claimed first at the Pepsi Florida Relays with a PR of 4.7 M. With this jump, Jones now holds the pole vault state record for the 2025 season. Prior to the Florida Relays Jones’ best jump for the 2025 season was 4.62 M.