The Boys Track & Field team from American Heritage Schools, Broward Campus, has set a new benchmark in Florida! The varsity boys 4x100 relay team not only claimed the state championship but also shattered the Florida High School record with a time of 39.39 seconds. This incredible performance ranks as the second-fastest time in U.S. high school history and firmly places American Heritage in the national spotlight.

 

The championship relay team included Brandon Bennett '26, Braylen Bennett '26, Zamarii Sanders '26, and Xavier Lucas '24. All four runners are also stars on the Heritage football team. Their record-breaking run took place at the Florida High School Track & Field State Championships, hosted at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The event brought together Florida’s top athletes who had advanced through rigorous District and Regional rounds to compete for the state title.

 

American Heritage's 4x100 team made history by becoming the first in Florida to complete the relay in under 40 seconds, an achievement that has only been accomplished by ten other high school teams nationwide. Their time of 39.39 seconds obliterated the previous state record of 40.09 seconds set by Boyd Anderson in 1998. Prior to this achievement, American Heritage's own school record stood at 40.14 seconds, set in 2018 by a team that also included three future NFL draft picks.

 

The relay team's success is a testament to their hard work, determination, and extraordinary talent. Three of the four runners are sophomores, making their achievement even more impressive and suggesting a bright future for the team. In addition to their relay success, Zamarii Sanders won the 200m final with a time of 20.58 seconds, and Brandon Bennett, Xavier Lucas, and Braylen Bennett swept the podium in the 100m, finishing 1-2-3 respectively.

 

Their collective efforts contributed to a total score of 76 points, securing the overall Class 3A team title for American Heritage. The team's accomplishments underscore the strength and depth of the athletics program at American Heritage, which continues to excel and set new standards in high school sports.

 

Their achievement of breaking the 40-second barrier and recording the second-best time in U.S. high school history is a milestone that will be remembered for years to come. This victory is not just a win for the team but a proud moment for the entire school community, showcasing the extraordinary talents and hard work of Heritage’s students and coaches.