Winter Springs junior Caroline Wells is putting on a show in 2021 and it's just two weeks into the outdoor season. After setting new personal bests and top 10 national times in the 800 meters (2:13.55) and 1,600 meters (4:49.51), Wells dropped a new all-time Florida state record in the 3,200-meter run this weekend at the Lake Mary Invitational.

“This week preparing for the meet we did a couple of 3,200 pacing workouts, which I think helped a lot with confidence coming into the race,” she explained. “Overall, the race went really well. I was just so excited to finally race the 3,200 because it’s been over a year, but I did not have any expectations for this race. I just wanted to PR.”

Wells, who came into the meet with a PR of 10:54.68 from the 2019 FHSAA Outdoor State Championships, took the lead from the gun and never looked back, winning by more than a minute in 10:10.39 and breaking the record of 10:10.45 set by current University of Florida freshman Parker Valby in 2019.

 

Only seven girls have dipped under 10:20 for the eight-lap event in Florida, and that includes names like Ashley Brasovan, Kathryn Fleuhr and Olympian Jenny (Barringer) Simpson.

“I don’t think breaking the state record has really set in,” Wells said. “I am just so thankful to be given the opportunity to race and that my family, teammates and coach pushed me to do my best. My next goals are to just continue to improve and set new PRs.”