Friday, October 29, 2021

Daytona State duo Andy Martinez and Harleigh Bilz Crist grab wins in FJCAA Region 8 Meet

Friday morning, 29 October 2021, marked the sixth time that Tallahasse, Florda's Apalachee Regional Park was the site of the FJCAA Region 8 Cross-Country Championship. The date also marked the second time as Region 8 champions for Daytona State harriers Andy Martinez and Harleigh Bilz Crist. Martinez won the men's 8K in a meet record 25:51; Crist took first in the women's 5K with a 19:38--also a meet record. Daytona State took the men's team title with 21 points, and Pasco-Hernando State nabbed the women's title with 53 points.

Andy Martinez
Andy Martinez

The Apalachee Regional Park Championship Cross-Country Course was familiar territory for Andy Martinez.


"I've been running here since my sophomore year in high school," said Martinez, who raced cross-country with the Viera High Hawks from 2016 to 2018. "I run a PR every time I race here. Except for today."


In the Region 8 men's 8K, Martinez hung back for much of the race, pacing his Falcon teammate, Sebastian Hernandez. After five kilometers, Hernandez charged ahead and went on to win by 150 meters in 25:51. Leo Rutledge of Tallahassee Community College overtook Hernandez during the final kilometer of the race, taking second in 26:22. Hernandez placed third in 26:34.

2021 Daytona State men's cross-country team
Men's Team Champs, Daytona State

Adolfo Castro of Daytona State was fourth in 26:57. The remaining Falcon scorers were Christian Ruocco (6th, 27:06) and Jerdary Ayala (7th, 27:12). With seven runners in the top ten, Daytona State had 21 points and the Region 8 title.


Lake Sumter State placed second with 57 points, led by the fifth place, 27:00 performance of Nicholas Atkinson. Rutledge and his Tallahassee Community College teammates scored 81 points to take third.

Top Seven Men
Top Seven Men

Men's Team Standings, 2021 FCSAA Cross-Country Championship
  1. Daytona State, 21
  2. Lake Sumter State, 57
  3. Tallahassee Community, 81
  4. Seminole State, 102
  5. Florida State Jacksonville, 110

Top Ten Men, 2021 FCSAA Cross-Country Championship
  1. 25:50.3, Andy Martinez (Daytona State) SO
  2. 26:21.9, Leo Rutledge (Tallahassee Community) FR
  3. 26:33.2, Sebastian Hernandez (Daytona State) FR
  4. 26:56.4, Adolfo Castro (Daytona State) FR
  5. 26:59.4, Nicholas Atkinson (Lake Sumter State) SO
  6. 27:05.9, Christian Ruocco (Daytona State) FR
  7. 27:11.2, Jerdary Ayala (Daytona State) FR
  8. 27:16.2, Mitchell Curtis (Daytona State) FR
  9. 27:26.0, Colton Berquist (Lake Sumter State) FR
  10. 27:38.5, Richard Lebron (Daytona State) FR

Ten years earlier, Harleigh Bilz Crist had run 21:36 on the Apalachee Regional Park course as a Tavares High junior. As a Daytona State athlete, more mature and better trained, she had left her high school marks far behind. She was leaving the competition far behind as well in the Region 8 women's 5K--over 200 meters behind.

Harleigh Bilz Crist
Harleigh Bilz Crist

"I took the lead just after the mile mark," recalled Bilz Crist. "Probably around two kilometers."


There were no challengers after that. Bilz Crist ran alone for the next three kilometers, a widening gap in her wake. Her winning time, 19:38, broke the women's meet record of 19:45, set at the 2018 Region 8 Championship by Olivia D'Angelo of Pasco-Hernando State.

Top Seven Women
Top Seven Women

Lake Sumter State sophomore Kyja Williams overtook Daytona State frosh Juliet St Angelo with 200 meters left in the race to take second in 20:27. St Angelo placed third in 20:35.


Pasco-Hernando State frosh Kylie Kanaar finished fourth in 20:55. After winning the Region 8 team title four times in a row, Pasco-Hernando had placed second to Daytona State in 2020. Looking to regain the top spot, the Bobcats put three runners in the top ten--Kanaar joined by Katerina Dobkowski (6th, 21:13) and Gabrielle Marshall (8th, 21:16). Hayley Schaefer (14th, 21:53) and Jessica Perez (23rd, 22:42) also scored for the Bobcats, giving the Pasco-Hernando women 46 points and first place.

2021 Pasco-Hernando State women's cross-country team
Women's Team Champs, Pasco-Hernando State

Daytona State was second with 67 points. Florida Gateway College placed third with 77 points. Gateway's top runner was Ariel Anderson, fifth in 21:07.


Women's Team Standings, 2021 FCSAA Cross-Country Championship
  1. Pasco-Hernando State, 53
  2. Daytona State, 67
  3. Florida Gateway, 77
  4. South Florida State, 87
  5. Lake Sumter State, 112
  6. Florida State Jacksonville, 123
  7. Pensacola State, 181
  8. Tallahassee Community, 195

Top Ten Women, 2021 FCSAA Cross-Country Championship
  1. 19:37.3, Harleigh Bilz Crist (Daytona State) SO
  2. 20:26.9, Kyja Williams (Lake Sumter State) SO
  3. 20:34.1, Juliet St Angelo (Daytona State) FR
  4. 20:54.2, Kylie Kanaar (Pasco-Hernando State) FR
  5. 21:06.5, Ariel Anderson (Florida Gateway) FR
  6. 21:12.5, Katerina Dobkowski (Pasco-Hernando State)
  7. 21:13.2, Francesca Chillemi (South Florida State) SO
  8. 21:16.0, Gabrielle Marshall (Pasco-Hernando State)
  9. 21:23.3, Kayla DesMartin (Florida Gateway) FR
  10. 21:30.6, Kyla DesMartin (Florida Gateway) FR

NJCAA Region 8 Cross-Country Champions, 2016 - 2021
Women
DateWinning TeamsWinning Athletes
4 November 2016Pasco-Hernando State, 33 points20:29, Charlene Sanchez (Pasco-Hernando State) SO
28 October 2017Pasco-Hernando State, 2520:07, Meagan Giddens (Tallahassee Community) SO
26 October 2018Pasco-Hernando State, 2119:45, Olivia D'Angelo (Pasco-Hernando State) FR
25 October 2019Pasco-Hernando State, 3519:53, Olivia D'Angelo (Pasco-Hernando State) SO
30 October 2020Daytona State College, 3620:18, Harleigh Bilz Crist (Daytona State) FR
29 October 2021Pasco-Hernando State, 5319:38, Harleigh Bilz Crist (Daytona State) SO
Men
DateWinning TeamsWinning Athletes
26 October 2018Daytona State, 1926:42, Hillary Kandle (Seminole State)
25 October 2019Seminole State, 2627:22, Yassin Raffay (Seminole State)
30 October 2020Daytona State, 2826:02, Andy Martinez (Daytona State) FR
29 October 2021Daytona State, 2125:51, Andy Martinez (Daytona State) SO


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Thursday, October 28, 2021

Leon athletes Lillee Tang and Patrick Koon were 3A District 1 cross-country winners

In Florida high school cross-country, there are three rounds in the state championships series--District, Region, and State. For the class 3A harriers in the northwest of the state, the first round was on Wednesday afternoon, 27 October 2021; the FHSAA 3A District 1 Championship Meet at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida. Choctawhatchee won the girls' 5K with 49 points, while Leon junior Lillee Tang took first in 19:50. Fort Walton Beach had the winning team in the boys' 5K, a race won by Leon sophomore Patrick Koon in 16:35.

Lillee Tang
Lillee Tang

It was Lillee Tang's first District title. How did she feel to be District champion?


"Tired!" said Tang.

Belicia O'Grady
Belicia O'Grady

As well she might. The girls' race had actually been longer than five kilometers, thanks to an errant course marshal. Fort Walton Beach frosh Belicia O'Grady led the first half of the race, but the second half belonged to Tang, and the second half is the one with the finish line. Tang crossed that line first in 19:50, well ahead of the 20:24 posted by runner-up O'Grady. Choctawhatchee senior Chloe Fernander was third in 21:00. Another Choctawhatchee senior, Deanna Bottino, edged Wakulla frosh Isabella Laughton to take fourth, both runners clocked in 21:02.


Choctawhatchee put two more athletes in the top ten, with junior Brylie Kilgore seventh in 21:13 and senior Dannika Kilgore ninth in 21:30. Sophomore Dahlia Irizarry completed the scoring for Choctawhatchee, placing 26th in 23:09. With a winning 49 points, the Choctawhatchee girls were District 1 champions.

Top 25 Girls
The Top 25 girls in 3A District 1

Only two points back, Tang and the Leon girls were second with 49 points. Laughton and her Wakulla teammates placed third with 65 points. Fort Walton Beach (4th, 83 points), Gulf Breeze (5th, 116 points), Lincoln (6th, 175 points), Pace (7th, 178 points), and Arnold (8th, 188 points) also made the top eight and qualified for the 3A Region 1 Meet, slated for Panama City on Saturday, 6 November 2021.


Girls' Team Standings, 2021 FHSAA 3A Distict 1 Cross-Country Meet
  1. Choctawhatchee, 49
  2. Leon, 51
  3. Wakulla, 65
  4. Fort Walton Beach, 83
  5. Gulf Breeze, 116
  6. Lincoln, 175
  7. Pace, 178
  8. Arnold, 188
  9. Washington, 240
  10. Milton, 271
  11. Mosley, 357

Top Ten Girls, 2021 FHSAA 3A Distict 1 Cross-Country Meet
  1. 19:50.00, Lillee Tang (Leon) 11
  2. 20:23.40, Belicia O'Grady (Fort Walton Beach) 9
  3. 20:59.30, Chloe Fernander (Choctawhatchee) 12
  4. 21:01.20, Deanna Bottino (Choctawhatchee) 12
  5. 21:01.60, Isabella Laughton (Wakulla) 9
  6. 21:06.40, Stella Lewis (Leon) 11
  7. 21:12.20, Brylie Kilgore (Choctawhatchee) 11
  8. 21:25.40, Mallory Robinson (Leon) 11
  9. 21:29.10, Dannika Kilgore (Choctawhatchee) 12
  10. 21:41.60, Clara Alford (Wakulla) 12

For more than three kilometers Kaleb Hollins, a Choctawhatchee junior, set the pace for a large lead pack in the boys' 5K. Tucked back in the group, Patrick Koon wasn't impressed.


Patrick Koon "We went out at 5:30 for the mile and 10:55 for two miles," said Koon. "It was really slow."

Patrick Koon
Patrick Koon

So Koon sped up. Opening up a 60-meter gap on the field in the final kilometer, the Leon sophomore raced home first in 16:35. It was well off the 15:10 he had run on the same course at the FSU Invitational eleven days earlier, but that was according to script.


"The plan was to win this one as easily as possible," said Koon. "The goal is to be ready for State."

Kaleb Hollins
Kaleb Hollins

Fort Walton Beach senior Luke Larkin was second in 16:46. Choctawhatchee's Hollins, the early leader took third in 16:52. Arnold junior Eddie Kepran placed fourth in 17:00, and Grant Chastain, a Fort Walton Beach sophomore, was fifth in 17:03.


Larkin and Chastain made it two in the top ten for Fort Walton Beach. But Leon also placed two athletes in the top ten--Koon and sophomore Will Springer, seventh in 17:22. Outside the top ten, Fort Walton Beach had strong performances from their next three scorers, with senior Luke Bilger thirteenth in 17:41, junior Luke Endt fourteenth in 17:42, and sophomore Curran O'Grady 25th in 18:09. That gave the Vikings 59 points and the District title.

Luke Larkin
Luke Larkin

Koon and the Leon boys were second with 56 points. Choctawhatchee edged Pace for third, 120 points to 122. The top four teams advanced to the 3A Region 1 meet, as did Gulf Breeze (5th, 141 points), Lincoln (6th, 189 points), Arnold (7th, 195 points), and Wakulla (8th, 197 points).


Arnold High School hosts the 3A Region 1 Cross-Country Championship Meet on Saturday morning, 6 November 2021, at Majette Park in Panama City, Florida. The top eight teams in the Region will qualify for the State Championship, slated for Saturday morning, 13 November 2021, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida.


Boys' Team Standings, 2021 FHSAA 3A Distict 1 Cross-Country Meet
  1. Fort Walton Beach, 59
  2. Leon, 66
  3. Choctawhatchee, 120
  4. Pace, 122
  5. Gulf Breeze, 141
  6. Lincoln, 189
  7. Arnold, 195
  8. Wakulla, 197
  9. Milton, 235
  10. Pine Forest, 240
  11. Mosley, 252
  12. Washington, 275
  13. Rickards, 374
  14. Escambia, 402

Top Ten Boys, 2021 FHSAA 3A Distict 1 Cross-Country Meet
  1. 16:34.90, Patrick Koon (Leon) 10
  2. 16:45.90, Luke Larkin (Fort Walton Beach) 12
  3. 16:51.40, Kaleb Hollins (Choctawhatchee) 11
  4. 16:59.30, Eddie Kepran (Arnold) 11
  5. 17:02.50, Grant Chastain (Fort Walton Beach) 10
  6. 17:09.60, William Armbruster (Choctawhatchee) 12
  7. 17:21.90, Will Springer (Leon) 10
  8. 17:25.70, Eli Holbrook (Mosley) 12
  9. 17:32.20, Chrisshaun Terrell (Pine Forest) 11
  10. 17:35.50, Joseph McLeod (Lincoln) 11

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Thursday, October 14, 2021

Harriers Lillian Koeppel and Luke Meli lead their teams to wins at the Tallahassee Open

Tuesday, 12 October 2021, was a day for cross-country on the east side of Tallahassee, Florida. At least, the Holy Comforter Episcopal School Crusaders made it so, hosting their annual Tallahassee Open Middle School Cross-Country Meet. Maclay eighth-grader Lillian Koeppel won the girls' 3K in 11:40, leading the Marauders to the team title, their third in three years. Community Christian topped the team standings in the boys' 3K for the first time in the meet's history, led by the first-place finish of eighth-grader Luke Meli. Meli covered the three kilometers around the Holy Comforter grounds in 11:08.

Luke Meli
Luke Meli

Lillian Koeppel had been fifth in the Tallahassee Open as a sixth-grader, then second as a seventh-grader. 2021 was her final cross-country season as a middle school athlete, and she seized the opportunity to shine with her 11:40 win. Maclay eighth-graders swept the first three places, with Koeppel followed by Caroline Crouch, second in 12:01, and Nishi Bhanderi, third in 12:42. The line of Marauders was interrupted by Charlotte Sikes and Leah Boutwell. Running unattached, Sikes took fourth in 13:00. Boutwell, a Florida State seventh-grader, was fifth in 13:04.


Maclay's remaining scorers took the next two places. Marauder seventh-graders Ellie Mazziotta and Lilly Bell ran 13:09 and 12:11 for sixth and seventh. Once Bell crossed the finish line, the Maclay girls had seventeen points and a mathematically guaranteed win.


Community Leadership Academy, led by fifth-grader Eliza Moody (17th, 14:40), placed second with 78 points. Florida State and Boutwell were a close third with 80 points.


Girls' Team Standings, 2021 Tallahassee Open Middle School XC Championship
  1. Maclay, 17
  2. Community Leadership, 78
  3. Florida State, 80
  4. Riversprings, 101
  5. Trinity Catholic, 108
  6. Tallahassee Classical, 155

Top 10 Girls, 2021 Tallahassee Open Middle School XC Championship
  1. 11:39.40, Lillian Koeppel (Maclay) 8
  2. 12:00.02, Caroline Couch (Maclay) 8
  3. 12:41.47, Nishi Bhanderi (Maclay) 8
  4. 12:59.99, Charlotte Sikes (Unattached)
  5. 13:03.18, Leah Boutwell (Florida State) 7
  6. 13:08.41, Ellie Mazziotta (Maclay) 7
  7. 13:10.81, Lilly Bell (Maclay) 7
  8. 13:12.74, Addyson Paul (Franklin County) 7
  9. 13:18.22, Ryleigh Gunter (Florida State) 8
  10. 13:39.15, Mae Deison (Maclay) 8

Even though Luke Meli is an eighth-grader, he often doesn't get to run middle school races because he's busy racing for Community Christian's high school squad. Meli makes the most of the middle school events he runs, though. He won the middle school boys' 3K at the FSUS Pre-Season Invitational on 21 August 2021, and at the Big Bend Invitational on 4 September 2021. He picked up another victory at the Tallahassee Open, winning the boys' 3K in 11:08. Another Community Christian eighth-grader, Charles Wilson, finished runner-up in 11:15. Holy Comforter eighth-grader Luke Springer ran 11:18 for third. Two Trinity Catholic athletes duelled for fourth, with eighth-grader Mark Moore edging sixth-grader James Mogg, both clocked in 11:31.


After Meli and Wilson, Community Christian got scoring performances from eighth-grader Benjamin Reeves (13th, 12:08), sixth-grader Landon Reeves (14th, 12:09), and eighth-grader Jeremy Collier (19th, 12:53). With five Chargers home, Community Christian had 48 points and first place.


Maclay took second with 60 points, led by sixth-grader Logan Phipps. Phipps placed seventh overall in 11:32. Led by seventh-grader Randon Manausa, Holy Comforter was third with 69 points.


Miles and Minutes, LLC, of Tallahassee timed and scored the meet.


Boys' Team Standings, 2021 Tallahassee Open Middle School XC Championship
  1. Community Christian, 48
  2. Maclay, 60
  3. Holy Comforter Episcopal, 69
  4. Falcon Track Club, 84
  5. Trinity Catholic, 99
  6. Community Leadership, 144
  7. Florida State, 185
  8. Cornerstone, 232
  9. Christ Classical, 245

Top 10 Boys, 2021 Tallahassee Open Middle School XC Championship
  1. 11:07.83, Luke Meli (Community Christian) 8
  2. 11:14.12, Charles Wilson (Community Christian) 8
  3. 11:17.27, Luke Springer (Holy Comforter Episcopal) 8
  4. 11:30.42, Mark Moore (Trinity Catholic) 8
  5. 11:30.99, James Mogg (Trinity Catholic) 6
  6. 11:31.30, Randon Manausa (Holy Comforter Episcopal) 7
  7. 11:31.60, Logan Phipps (Maclay) 6
  8. 11:52.16, David Burton (Maclay) 7
  9. 11:56.08, Collins Dickson (Maclay) 8
  10. 11:57.30, Yoshi Hutt (Florida State) 8

Tallahassee Open winners, 2014 - 2021
Boys
DateTeam ChampIndividual Champ
23 October 2014Maclay, 189:42, Clayburn Milford (Maclay) 8
15 October 2015Holy Comforter, 2710:25, Jacob D'Aleo (Emerald Coast) 8
13 October 2016Holy Comforter, 1711:05, Jackson Yarbrough (Holy Comforter) 7
12 October 2017Holy Comforter, 3510:45, Thomas Ashby (Burns) 7
17 October 2018Fairview, 5311:11, Patrick Koon (Fairview) 7
8 October 2019Holy Comforter, 2111:10, William Springer (Holy Comforter) 8
6 October 2020Holy Comforter, 4510:50, Noah Deem (Community Leadership) 8
12 October 2021Community Christian, 4811:08, Luke Meli (Community Christian) 8
Girls
DateTeam ChampIndividual Champ
23 October 2014Holy Comforter, 2711:28, Katherine Resavage (Holy Comforter) 8
15 October 2015Holy Comforter, 2111:23, Emily Molen (Deerlake) 8
13 October 2016Maclay, 1711:35, Lindsay James (Maclay) 8
12 October 2017Holy Comforter, 2212:36, Mary Clayton Soto (Holy Comforter) 6
17 October 2018Maclay, 3112:10, Ella Porcher (Maclay) 8
17 October 2018Maclay, 1912:02, Susan Gracie Koeppel (Maclay) 8
6 October 2020Maclay, 1511:35, Clifton Lewis (Unattached) 7
12 October 2021Maclay, 1711:40, Lillian Koeppel (Maclay) 8


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Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Stan Linton races 14:45, Katie Sherron 17:40 at the Palace Saloon 5K

Gulf Winds Track Club's 46th annual Palace Saloon 5K was two and a half years in the coming, but it finally arrived on the streets of Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday morning, 9 October 2021. Stan Linton was the fastest athlete in the race, making the 3.1-mile trek from Messer Park to the Palace Saloon in 14:45. Katie Sherron was the first woman, placing eleventh overall in 17:40.

Stan Linton
Stan Linton

The 2019 Palace Saloon 5K had been a race where four runners finished under 16:00. David Barney and Ricardo Estremera had gone 14:38, two-time winner Stan Linton ran 15:05, and Andrew Smith went 15:36. After two postponements and a cancellation, the race was back in 2021, and so were Barney and Linton.


Seconds after the start, Linton was already leading. It wasn't a fluke. Two kilometers into the race, he was a hundred meters ahead. That gap would only grow on Jackson Bluff Road, up Michelob Ridge, over Budweiser Creek, and across the finish line.

David Barney
David Barney

"I was right around 4:41 and 4:41 for the first two miles," said Linton. "Then around two miles the wheels started to come off and I fell asleep on the hill. That mile was 4:52. And coming across Budweiser Creek I saw 14:30 on the clock and knew I wasn't going to get 14:36."


14:36 was Paul Waldron's winning time in the 1986 Palace, the best time in the race since the course was certified. Linton's 14:45 fells short of that mark, but it was still his best road 5K, and it earned him his third Palace win.

Alberto Mena
Alberto Mena

"That was good," said Linton. "It was an okay day."


Behind Linton, David Barney broke away from the pursuit group to take second in 15:34. Fordham University cross-country alum Alberto Mena was third in 15:38. Tallahassee Community College frosh harrier Leo Rutledge placed fourth in 15:50. Matt Mizereck, a three-time Florida high school cross-country state champion, finished fifth in 15:55, making five athletes under 16:00. Leonardo Canete was the fastest master runner in the race, coming in tenth overall in 17:38.

Katie Sherron
Katie Sherron

One place, two seconds, and a few steps behind Canete, women's champ Katie Sherron was throwing down a a 17:40.


"It felt great!" said Sherron. "I've never won Palace before."

Sheryl Rosen
Sheryl Rosen

Sherron won the women's competition by over half a kilometer, leading from wire to wire. It wasn't as easy as she made it look, though, especially the late-race climb up Michelob Ridge.


"That hill!" said Sherron. "My last mile was the slowest."


Sheryl Rosen, top woman in the 2013 Palace, finished runner-up to Sherron in the women's standings, placing 30th overall in 19:44. Eighth-grader Clifton Lewis was the third woman and 34th overall in 19:59. Tallahassee schoolteacher Vicky Droze was the first woman master and sixth female finisher, 48th overall in 22:06.

Clifton Lewis
Clifton Lewis

284 athletes finished the 2021 Palace Saloon 5K. Gulf Winds Track Club of Tallahassee, Florida chip-timed the race. The 47th annual Palace Saloon 5K is scheduled for Saturday morning, 23 April 2022.


Top Ten Men, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2021 Palace Saloon 5K
  1. 14:45, Stan Linton (M, 27)
  2. 15:34, David Barney (M, 27)
  3. 15:38, Alberto Mena (M, 23)
  4. 15:50, Leo Rutledge (M, 18)
  5. 15:55, Matthew Mizereck (M, 29)
  6. 16:23, Tristan Cravello (M, 22)
  7. 17:05, Vincent Fetchero (M, 21)
  8. 17:16, Ryan Bausback (M, 23)
  9. 17:36, Ryan Truchelut (M, 35)
  10. 17:38, Leonardo Canete (M, 43)

Top Ten Women, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2021 Palace Saloon 5K
  1. 17:40, Katie Sherron (F, 39)
  2. 19:44, Sheryl Rosen (F, 37)
  3. 19:59, Clifton Lewis (F, 13)
  4. 20:33, Julia Hellman (F, 22)
  5. 22:02, Amelia Bryant (F, 33)
  6. 22:06, Vicky Droze (F, 46)
  7. 22:13, Alexis Thompson (F, 22)
  8. 22:26, Annalise Maillet (F, 25)
  9. 22:27, Laura McDermott (F, 41)
  10. 22:42, Arielle Valdes (F, 18)

Palace Saloon 5K Champions, 1975 - 2021
DateMenWomenFinishers
9 October 202114:45, Stan Linton17:40, Katie Sherron284
13 April 201914:39, David Barney17:38, Ann Centner864
21 April 201815:15, Justin Garrard18:05, Ani Veltcheva815
15 April 201715:16, Stanley Linton17:58, Ani Veltcheva1043
16 April 201615:53, Nick Merrett18:13, Ani Veltcheva1048
11 April 201515:29, Tyler Udland17:54, Lauren Poulos1314
12 April 201415:52, Chris Lake17:45, Amy Hines1303
20 April 201315:46, Stanley Linton17:49, Sheryl Rosen1389
14 April 201216:07, Josh Myers17:20, Lindsay Zeiler1190
16 April 201115:48, Chris Lake 18:24, Lindsay Zeiler 1064
10 April 201015:45, Chris Lake 17:42, Christina Woytalewicz 1214
11 April 200916:21, John Robida 18:11, Lisa Johnson 1022
12 April 200815:25, Nick Sunseri 18:46, Lisa Johnson 782
14 April 200716:12, J. P. Cook 17:14, Breeda Willis 537
15 April 200616:04, Justin Cross 18:33, Stephanie Liles 456
16 April 200516:06, Lee Willis 16:31, Breeda Willis 318
10 April 200416:39, Shawn Patterson 18:29, Breeda Willis 299
12 April 200316:26, Martin Littlefield 19:21, Tricia Snyder 257
13 April 200217:22, Chris Stanley 21:03, Allison Eagen 189
14 April 200116:51, Art Remillard 19:05, Kate Wallace 219
15 April 200015:39, Paul Spangler 17:19, Anna Pichrtova 217
17 April 199915:45, Robert Pautienus 17:22, Sarah Docter-Williams 261
18 April 199816:18, Jason Carter 17:29, Sarah Docter-Williams 238
19 April 199715:53, Gary Droze 17:37, Sarah Docter-Williams 169
6 April 199615:55, Gary Droze 17:59, Jane Johnson 134
8 April 199516:01, Tim Simpkins 17:48, Jane Johnson 188
2 April 199414:56, Robin Rogers 17:51, Lisa Herman 252
3 April 199315:30, Andy Palmer 19:37, Carrie Hunnicutt 270
11 April 199215:48, Gary Droze 17:45, Paula Johnson ?
13 April 199115:10, Gary Droze 18:20, Vikki Saga 371
14 April 199014:57, David Keen 18:38, Vikki Saga
15 April 198915:23, Rick Miller 19:05, Yvonne Gsteiger
9 April 198815:30, Rick Miller 17:55, Karen MacHarg
11 April 198715:03, Jacob Hoesly 17:33, Karen MacHarg
12 April 198614:36, Paul Waldron 18:44, Paige Dempsey
9 March 198515:39, Rick Miller 17:52, Margaret Coomber
18 February 198415:32, Greg Doss 16:34, Kristy McDermott
16 April 198314:52, Rick Miller 16:38, Darien Andreu
20 March 1982??????????
21 March 198115:02, Dennis Lunne 18:16, Janice Gage
8 March 198014:59, George West 19:37, Marty Graham
10 March 197914:55, Tom Herron 17:37, Kathy Moore
25 February 197814:30, George West 17:45, Laura Ledbetter
15 January 1977George West?????
14 August 197614:37, George West 18:05, Janice Gage
15 November 197518:17, David Price 19:56, Janice Gage


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Friday, October 8, 2021

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
MeetTeam ChampIndividual Champ
ARPXC (Story)
26 August 2021		Deerlake, 1812:37, Chloe Molen (Deerlake ) 6
Fort Braden (Story)
2 September 2021		Deerlake, 2512:54, London Mellen (Deerlake) 8
Mustang (Story)
7 September 2021		Deerlake, 2211:55, Abbey Griffin (Deerlake ) 8
Everhart (Story)
15 September 2021		Deerlake, 2712:07, Annabelle Wiktorski (Montford) 7
Falcon (Story)
23 September 2021		Deerlake, 2112:07, Abbey Griffin (Deerlake) 8
SportsPlex (Story)
1 October 2021		Deerlake, 2512:13, Abbey Griffin (Deerlake) 8
Championship (Story)
7 October 2021		Deerlake, 2311:58, Annabelle Wiktorski (Montford) 7
Boys
MeetTeam ChampIndividual Champ
ARPXC (Story)
26 August 2021		Deerlake, 4911:28, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake ) 7
Fort Braden (Story)
2 September 2021		Swift Creek, 6011:29, Asa Swope (Swift Creek) 8
Mustang (Story)
7 September 2021		Montford, 4511:02, Asa Swope (Swift Creek ) 8
Everhart (Story)
15 September 2021		Montford, 3511:10, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake) 7
Falcon (Story)
23 September 2021		Montford, 4711:05, Asa Swope (Swift Creek) 8
SportsPlex (Story)
1 October 2021		Montford, 3911:10, Asa Swope (Swift Creek) 8
Championship (Story)
7 October 2021		Swift Creek, 4410:46, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake) 7


Leon County Schools Middle School Cross-Country Championships
Apalachee Regional Park, 2010 - 2021
Girls
DateTeam ChampIndividual Champ
6 October 2010Raa, 3213:34, Rebecca Clendinen (Raa) 8
28 September 2011Swift Creek, 3113:24, Zoe Sheldon (Swift Creek) 7
26 September 2012Swift Creek, 3612:49, Audrey Dogan (Raa) 8
2 October 2013Swift Creek, 4313:00, Ana Wallace (Deerlake) 8
1 October 2014Deerlake, 3612:12, Lawton Campbell (Deerlake) 8
7 October 2015Swift Creek, 3512:08, Emily Molen (Deerlake) 8
5 October 2016Montford, 4413:33, Paige Churchill (Swift Creek) 6
4 October 2017Swift Creek, 2713:14, Paige Churchill (Swift Creek) 7
4 October 2018Swift Creek, 2812:04, Paige Churchill (Swift Creek) 8
3 October 2019Deerlake, 3612:17, Kyra Swart (Deerlake) 6
28 October 2020Deerlake, 2712:22, Sophia Youngberg (Montford) 8
7 October 2021Deerlake, 2311:58, Annabelle Wiktorski (Montford) 7
Boys
DateTeam ChampIndividual Champ
6 October 2010Raa, 2411:35, Wil Luca (Raa) 8
28 September 2011Raa, 5811:42, Evan Francis (Raa) 8
26 September 2012Montford, 5611:49, Matthew Cashin (Raa) 8
2 October 2013Montford, 3711:19, Jacob Dodson (Raa) 8
1 October 2014Fairview, 4411:59, Tavaris King (Griffin) 8
7 October 2015Montford, 5011:34, Nile Bryant (Raa) 8
5 October 2016Swift Creek, 4411:38, Weston Blake (Swift Creek) 8
4 October 2017Deerlake, 5011:31, Ben Kirbo (Montford) 8
4 October 2018Deerlake, 3810:07, Wyatt Townsend (Deerlake) 8
3 October 2019Fairview, 3310:08, Patrick Koon (Fairview) 8
28 October 2020++
7 October 2021Swift Creek, 4410:46, Jonathan Kiros (Deerlake) 7
Note: LCS held middle-school cross-country championships before 2010.
This table summarizes the history of the championship at ARPXC.


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