Seventh-graders Annabelle Wiktorski and Jonathan Kiros take LCS Cross-Country titles

In Tallahassee, Florida, Thursday, 7 October 2021 was a day for seventh-graders at Apalachee Regional Park. There, at the Leon County Schools Middle School Cross-Country Championship, Montford seventh-grader Annabelle Wiktorski won the girls' 3K, running 11:58. In the boys' 3K, Deerlake seventh-grader Jonathan Kiros took first in 10:46. Deerlake took the girls' team title with 23 points, and the Swift Creek boys edged Montford for the championship 44 to 47.

Annabelle Wiktorski

The league championship was the seventh and final meet of Leon County Schools' longest middle school cross-country season ever. The season had begun at Apalachee Regional Park on 26 August 2021; it was ending at Apalachee Regional Park. Competition opened at 6:00 PM with the girls' 3K. After 800 meters, London Mellen was leading. A Deerlake eighth-grader, Mellen had won the girls' 3K at the Fort Braden Run, the second meet of the season. She wasn't the only champion in the field. Montford's Annabelle Wiktorski, a few steps behind Mellen, had won the girls' race at the Everhart Invitational. Running in third, Deerlake eighth-grader Abbey Griffin had won at the Mustang Stampede, the Falcon Invitational, and the Mabry Invitational. Following Griffin was Deerlake eighth-grader Kyra Swart, the 2019 LCS cross-country champion. Just off Swart's shoulder was Chloe Molen; that Deerlake eighth-grader had won the season opener at Apalachee Regional Park.


Mellen was still leading with a kilometer to go, but only Wiktorski and Griffin had stayed with her. During the next half a kilometer, the course began to climb, ending with Apalachee Regional Park's most notorious uphill--the Wall. At the top of the Wall, the leaders had dropped Griffin and there were only 500 meters left in the race. Then Wiktorski made her move.

London Mellen

"It was about the last 400 meters, right after we came over the big hill, the Wall," recalled Wiktorski.


Wiktorski spent the final 400 meters opening a gap on Mellen, ultimately claiming the LCS title in 11:58. Mellen was second in 12:13 and Griffin third in 12:21. Andi Vilardo, a Montford seventh-grader, took fourth in 12:23.

Abbey Griffin

For Wiktorski, it was a far different race from the season opener, where she had finished fourth on the same course.


"I went a lot harder than the first one," said Wiktorski. "12:51 then and 11:58 today. It felt shorter today, though."

Top Ten Girls

When it came to team scoring, the story was all Deerlake. For the seventh time in the seven-meet season, the Deerlake girls put up a mathematically unbeatable score. This time it was 23 points, the lowest total by a girls' team since the LCS Championship moved to ARPXC in 2010. Mellen and Griffin were of course part of the Bucks' low score, and so were sixth-grader Honesty Daniel (5th, 12:37), sixth-grader Chloe Molen (6th, 12:43), and seventh-grader Kaia Ables (7th, 12:51). Eighth-grader Kyra Swart (8th, 12:52) also cracked the top ten for Deerlake. It was the third year in a row that Deerlake had won the girls' title.

Deerlake Girls, Team Champs

Wiktorski's Montford Mustangs were second in the team standings with 39 points. Raa, led by eighth-grader Kennedy Bell (10th, 12:54), placed third with 94 points.


Girls' Team Standings, Leon County Schools 2021 Middle School Cross-Country Championship

1. Deerlake, 23
2. Montford, 39
3. Raa, 94
4. Cobb, 102
5. Swift Creek, 136
6. Fairview, 137
7. Nims, 220
8. Griffin, 241

Top Ten Girls, Leon County Schools 2021 Middle School Cross-Country Championship

1. 11:57.52, Annabelle Wiktorski (Montford) 7
2. 12:13.00, London Mellen (Deerlake) 8
3. 12:20.19, Abbey Griffin (Deerlake) 8
4. 12:22.91, Andi Vilardo (Montford) 7
5. 12:36.31, Honesty Daniel (Deerlake) 6
6. 12:42.60, Chloe Molen (Deerlake) 6
7. 12:50.58, Kaia Ables (Deerlake) 7
8. 12:51.10, Kyra Swart (Deerlake) 8
9. 12:52.52, Savannah Stanley (Montford) 7
10. 12:53.52, Kennedy Bell (Raa) 8

In twelve years of LCS Middle School Cross-Country Championships at Apalacheee Regional Park, Annabelle Wiktorski is one of three seventh-graders to win the girls' race. But before 2021, only eighth-graders had won the boys' 3K at the Championship. Jonathan Kiros of Deerlake started the 2021 race as if he intended to be the first seventh-grader to win the boys' event, leading the field past the 800-meter mark.

Jonathan Kiros

"I wanted to get out front and play to my strengths," explained Kiros.


Asa Swope, a Swift Creek eighth-grader, stayed in contact with Kiros. Aside from Swope and Kiros, no other athlete had won a boys' race during the 2021 season--going into the championship, Swope had four victories and Kiros two. With the 2021 title on the line, Kiros left the rest of the field far behind, but Swope was always just a few steps behind. Through the piney woods, across the shell bridge, and up the Wall, it was a two-person race. And on the homestretch, it was indeed a race.

Asa Swope

"In the last hundred meters, he came out of nowhere," said Kiros.


Kiros held off Swope's final challenge, eking out a close win. Both runners were clocked in 10:46. A seventh-grader had won the title. Another seventh-grader, Jack Koon of Fairview, took third in 11:18.

Jack Koon

Swift Creek eighth-graders Kinglsey Knispel and Thoren Knispel took the next two places, running 11:20 and 11:34 to give their team three runners in the top ten. But Montford also had three in the top ten, with eighth-grader Matthew Hauser sixth in 11:37, seventh-grader Gavin Poucher seventh in 11:42, and eighth-grader Jaxon Pelham tenth in 11:54. Montford also scoring performances by seventh-grader Trent Parsons (11th, 11:55) and eighth-grader Jackson Beener (13th, 11:58), giving the Mustangs 47 points.


Swift Creek responded with seventh-graders Cooper Rideout (14th, 12:00) and Zakaria Hemenway (19th, 12:29). The Wolves had 44 points, their second win of the season, and the 2021 boys' team title.

Swift Creek Boys, Team Champs

Kiros and Deerlake were third with 65 points. Koon and Fairview took fourth with 79.


The races over, the trophies awarded, the long LCS Middle School Cross-Country season was over. There was track to look forward to in the spring, but that was far in the future. Closer at hand, there was post-season cross-country.


"I think next Friday I may race at the FSU Invitational," said Annabelle Wiktorski. "I'm pretty tired with all these races, though."

Top Ten Boys

Other athletes plan on a break from racing, if not from competition.


"I'm more focused on the math team at Deerlake," said Jonathan Kiros.


Boys' Team Standings, Leon County Schools 2021 Middle School Cross-Country Championship

1. Swift Creek, 44
2. Montford, 47
3. Deerlake, 65
4. Fairview, 79
5. Cobb, 144
6. Raa, 176
7. Fort Braden, 231
8. Griffin, 233
9. Nims, 249

Top Ten Boys, Leon County Schools 2021 Middle School Cross-Country Championship

1. 10:45.68, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake) 7
2. 10:45.97, Asa Swope (Swift Creek) 8
3. 11:17.31, Jack Koon (Fairview) 7
4. 11:19.66, Kingsley Knispel (Swift Creek) 8
5. 11:33.08, Thoren Knispel (Swift Creek) 8
6. 11:36.23, Matthew Hauser (Montford) 8
7. 11:41.03, Gavin Poucher (Montford) 7
8. 11:45.21, Emari Thomas (Fairview) 6
9. 11:52.35, Antonio Clements (Cobb) 6
10. 11:53.85, Jaxon Pelham (Montford) 8

2021 Leon County Schools Middle School Cross-Country Season Summary
Girls
Meet	Team Champ	Individual Champ
ARPXC (Story) 26 August 2021	Deerlake, 18	12:37, Chloe Molen (Deerlake ) 6
Fort Braden (Story) 2 September 2021	Deerlake, 25	12:54, London Mellen (Deerlake) 8
Mustang (Story) 7 September 2021	Deerlake, 22	11:55, Abbey Griffin (Deerlake ) 8
Everhart (Story) 15 September 2021	Deerlake, 27	12:07, Annabelle Wiktorski (Montford) 7
Falcon (Story) 23 September 2021	Deerlake, 21	12:07, Abbey Griffin (Deerlake) 8
SportsPlex (Story) 1 October 2021	Deerlake, 25	12:13, Abbey Griffin (Deerlake) 8
Championship (Story) 7 October 2021	Deerlake, 23	11:58, Annabelle Wiktorski (Montford) 7
Boys
Meet	Team Champ	Individual Champ
ARPXC (Story) 26 August 2021	Deerlake, 49	11:28, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake ) 7
Fort Braden (Story) 2 September 2021	Swift Creek, 60	11:29, Asa Swope (Swift Creek) 8
Mustang (Story) 7 September 2021	Montford, 45	11:02, Asa Swope (Swift Creek ) 8
Everhart (Story) 15 September 2021	Montford, 35	11:10, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake) 7
Falcon (Story) 23 September 2021	Montford, 47	11:05, Asa Swope (Swift Creek) 8
SportsPlex (Story) 1 October 2021	Montford, 39	11:10, Asa Swope (Swift Creek) 8
Championship (Story) 7 October 2021	Swift Creek, 44	10:46, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake) 7

Leon County Schools Middle School Cross-Country Championships Apalachee Regional Park, 2010 - 2021
Girls
Date	Team Champ	Individual Champ
6 October 2010	Raa, 32	13:34, Rebecca Clendinen (Raa) 8
28 September 2011	Swift Creek, 31	13:24, Zoe Sheldon (Swift Creek) 7
26 September 2012	Swift Creek, 36	12:49, Audrey Dogan (Raa) 8
2 October 2013	Swift Creek, 43	13:00, Ana Wallace (Deerlake) 8
1 October 2014	Deerlake, 36	12:12, Lawton Campbell (Deerlake) 8
7 October 2015	Swift Creek, 35	12:08, Emily Molen (Deerlake) 8
5 October 2016	Montford, 44	13:33, Paige Churchill (Swift Creek) 6
4 October 2017	Swift Creek, 27	13:14, Paige Churchill (Swift Creek) 7
4 October 2018	Swift Creek, 28	12:04, Paige Churchill (Swift Creek) 8
3 October 2019	Deerlake, 36	12:17, Kyra Swart (Deerlake) 6
28 October 2020	Deerlake, 27	12:22, Sophia Youngberg (Montford) 8
7 October 2021	Deerlake, 23	11:58, Annabelle Wiktorski (Montford) 7
Boys
Date	Team Champ	Individual Champ
6 October 2010	Raa, 24	11:35, Wil Luca (Raa) 8
28 September 2011	Raa, 58	11:42, Evan Francis (Raa) 8
26 September 2012	Montford, 56	11:49, Matthew Cashin (Raa) 8
2 October 2013	Montford, 37	11:19, Jacob Dodson (Raa) 8
1 October 2014	Fairview, 44	11:59, Tavaris King (Griffin) 8
7 October 2015	Montford, 50	11:34, Nile Bryant (Raa) 8
5 October 2016	Swift Creek, 44	11:38, Weston Blake (Swift Creek) 8
4 October 2017	Deerlake, 50	11:31, Ben Kirbo (Montford) 8
4 October 2018	Deerlake, 38	10:07, Wyatt Townsend (Deerlake) 8
3 October 2019	Fairview, 33	10:08, Patrick Koon (Fairview) 8
28 October 2020	+	+
7 October 2021	Swift Creek, 44	10:46, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake) 7
Note: LCS held middle-school cross-country championships before 2010. This table summarizes the history of the championship at ARPXC.

Links

• Complete results of Leon County Schools' 2021 Middle School Cross Country Championships
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSTGjiQnLv8uTPw2u0wziselvIZAVCviENlV_s536b-6wPekG2lMqgMWGVLJP6Une1bfKUVCz667bKv/pubhtml
  
  
• More photos of the 2021 Leon County Schools Middle School Cross Country Championships
  
  • Girls: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10118443498353303
  • Boys: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10118464642480303
  
  
• The 2021 LCS middle school cross-country season
  
  • ARPXC Invitational https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/08/swift-creek-2021.html
    
  • Fort Braden Run https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/09/fort-braden-2021.html
    
  • Mustang Stampede https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/09/mustang-2021.html
    
  • Everhart Invitational https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/09/owl-run-2021.html
    
  • Falcon Invitational https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/09/falcon-2021.html
    
  • Mabry Invitational https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/10/mabry-2021.html
    
  • LCS Championship https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/09/lcs-champs-2021.html
    
  
  
• Leon County Schools' 2021 middle school cross country schedule
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/08/lcs-xc-2021.html
  
  
• 2019 story, “Patrick Koon and Kyra Swart lead their teams to Leon County Schools cross-country titles”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2019/10/lcs-champs-2019.html
  
  
• 2018 story, “Paige Churchill and Wyatt Townsend close their middle school cross-country careers with wins”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2018/10/lcs-champs-2018.html
  
  
• 2016 story, “Swift Creek boys and Montford girls take the Leon County Schools cross-country championship”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2016/10/lcs-champs-2016.html
  
  
• 2015 story, “Emily Molen and Nile Bryant grab 2015 LCS Cross Country titles”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2015/10/lcs-champs-2015.html
  
  
• 2014 story, “Deerlake girls stun Swift Creek, Fairview boys win first title”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/10/lcs-champs-2014.html
  
  
• 2013 story, “Jacob Dodson and Ana Wallace race to 2013 LCS XC titles”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/10/lcs-champs-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, “Swift Creek girls and Montford boys end season as champions”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/09/lcs-champs-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 girls' story, “Sheldon leads Swift Creek to victory in the 2011 LCS Meet”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/09/lcs-ms-girls-2011.html
  
  
• 2011 boys' story, “Francis goes 4-0 while Raa boys win when it counts”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/09/lcs-ms-boys-2011.html
  
  
• 2010 story, “Clendinen and Luca lead Raa to LCS Titles”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/10/lcs-champs-2010.html
  
  
• Even more upcoming distance races in the Tallahassee region
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

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