Search
Close this search box.

Makala Sims secures first-ever girls’ state javelin title for Fort Walton Beach High School

Makala Sims, a junior at Fort Walton Beach High School, won the FHSAA 3A Girls Javelin State Championship with a throw of 38.25 meters (125 feet, 6 inches). Sims’s journey to becoming a state champion began in her freshman year when she sustained a hip injury as a sprinter on the school’s track and field […]

FWBHS Athletics

Makala Sims, a junior at Fort Walton Beach High School, won the FHSAA 3A Girls Javelin State Championship with a throw of 38.25 meters (125 feet, 6 inches).

  • Sims’s victory marks the first time a Fort Walton Beach High School female athlete has won the state title in the javelin event.

Sims’s journey to becoming a state champion began in her freshman year when she sustained a hip injury as a sprinter on the school’s track and field team. Coach Lissette Fields devised a plan to keep Sims engaged with the team by transitioning her to throwing events, starting with the shot put and progressing to the discus.

With the guidance of her throwing coach, Sims eventually took up the javelin and qualified for the state championship as a freshman, placing 15th.

As a sophomore, Sims built on her success and took second place at the 2023 FHSAA Girls 3A Javelin State Championship.

  • “Sophomore year, she went back to sprinting and long jumping and kept with javelin making it to state again and placing 2nd overall out of the first flight – traditionally second flight is the better flight!” Coach Lissette Fields said.

In her junior year, she challenged herself by joining the cross country team and helping the soccer team reach the regional semifinal before focusing on the javelin.

At the 2024 state championship, Sims’s best throw of 38.25 meters secured her the title, with Rebecca Van’t Hoff of Barron Collier High School taking second place with a mark of 36.33 meters (119 feet, 2 inches).

  • Sims’s teammate, Yasmin Lott, finished fifth with a throw of 35.34 meters (115 feet, 11 inches).

Throughout her high school career, Sims has maintained a 3.5 GPA, exemplifying the qualities of a dedicated student-athlete.

Looking ahead, Coach Fields has high hopes for Sims’s future in the javelin event.

“Makala is an athlete through and through as is evident by her success in any sport or event she does,” added Coach Fields. “We are hoping that Makala will be our first ever repeat state champion next year 2025!!”

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“This is so impressive - congratulations on such a successful and growing program”
Respond
“I spent a week on the Pilot diving. I loved the trip but was traveling solo so had no dive partner. I was not a real experienced diver either. One...”
Respond
“Bless you, your sons, and all involved in honoring your husband. The perfect example of unconditional love. Your care and efforts in helping others will not be forgotten. Wishing you...”
Respond
“Thank you for the wonderful article and exposure for our efforts helping local cancer patients know they are not alone!”
Respond
““… the caliber of vacationers “ You live somewhere that others find desirable and it has been discovered. Get over it.”
Respond
“Bitter are you .what matters is it's saved to be a part of history for thr Fort Walton Beach family's and tourist.i don't care who built it .it's up and...”
Respond
“I came to Destin in 1988 and I was so happy to have made the decision to raise my children here. But to be honest, ever since Peter Boss started...”
Respond
“It was an AMAZING show from our community, and we are so grateful to Dr Dugan and the rest of the guidance department for securing such a worthwhile event for...”
Respond
“this was not a easy task as i'm am one of troop 544 but it warms my heart that he was there in his warm hug from a trusted adult.”
Respond
“You wanted more stores, more people and you allow golf carts to move about freely, then you complain because you have created a nightmare. UNBELIEVABLE.”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.