Fletcher High School's beach volleyball team has achieved something truly special—they're not just champions of Florida, they're the best in the entire nation. After a perfect 20-0 season that culminated in a sweep of St. Thomas Aquinas for the FHSAA Class 3A title, the Senators have been crowned No. 1 in the MaxPreps national rankings. Head coach Brooke Wooten has led her squad to heights never before seen in Duval County public school sports.
What makes this feat even more impressive is how Fletcher jumped ahead of previously unbeaten Berkeley Prep (24-0), the Class 1A champions, thanks to a tougher schedule. The Senators' dominant run featured standout pairs like Ashton Kirton and Elina Adhikari, Leila Brummel and Lila Waite, Sofia Ventimiglia and Jaylin Sakhno, Karsyn Smith and Ramsey Langton, and Amelia Richter and Kylie Brummel, with alternates Layla Harvey and Channing Wooten providing depth. Their collective effort has etched this team into Northeast Florida history, joining the 2017 Ribault girls basketball team as the only Duval County public schools to claim a national championship in any sport.
Looking ahead, the Senators will face some turnover with over half a dozen seniors graduating, but there's plenty of reason for optimism. Several top contributors, including UAB-committed junior Waite, are expected to return for the 2027 season, keeping the program's momentum alive.
Meanwhile, the high school football season is heating up as spring games kick off this week. After weeks of practice, pads are finally popping across Northeast Florida. One of the most anticipated matchups is Trinity Christian's trip to Mandarin on Thursday, May 14. This game features Miami-committed quarterback Knox Annis and national recruit Brysen Wright of Mandarin against a Trinity squad that reached the Class 1A state semifinals in 2025, led by rising senior prospects Terrell Pinkney and Adrian Williams.
Thursday's schedule also includes a clash between Episcopal and University Christian, plus a three-team jamboree featuring Eagle's View, Providence, and host Duval Charter. For fans of high school sports, this is the perfect time to gear up and show support—whether you're hitting the beach or the gridiron, the right apparel makes all the difference.