Thursday, October 31, 2024

Estella Collante and Sean Cunningham nab 1A District 2 wins at Apalachee Regional Park

On Wednesday morning, 30 October 2024, the FHSAA 1A District 2 Cross-Country Championship came to Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida. The 2024 meet was very nearly all about Providence. True, Oak Hall junior Estella Collante did win the girls' 5K with a 19:35. But the Providence Stallions took the team title in the race, scoring 39 points. Providence also had the top team in the boys' 5K, scoring a mathematically unbeatable putting up a mathematically unbeatable 20 points while Stallion sophomore Sean Cunningham won the race Estella Collantein 16:39.

Estella Collante
Estella Collante

Sunny skies, humid air, and rising temperatures were part of the program when the girls' 5K started at 9:00 AM. A mob of Providence girls set the early pace, but by the end of the first kilometer Maclay junior Caroline Couch was leading the field. Couch, the defending champion, had posted a winning 18:20 in the 2023 1A District 2 girls' race. Behind her, a pursuit group of five runners formed--Katie Cunningham and Emma Akhundjanov of Providence, Rebecca Stratton of Saint Johns Country Day, and Oak Hall runners Lola Murfee and Estella Collante.


At the halfway point the runners had started their second loop at ARPXC. Couch continued to lead. The pursuit group was hanging together. During the second half, though, Couch dropped out and Oak Hall's Collante took over the lead.

Lola Murfee
Lola Murfee

"It was on the second loop before the big hill," said Collante, recalling where she took the lead. The "big hill" is, of course, the Wall--Apalachee Regional Park's notorious rise half a kilometer from the finish line.


Collante was more than a hundred meters ahead and still pulling away when she crossed the finish line in 19:35, the 2024 1A District 2 champion. Her Oak Hall teammate, sophomore Lola Murfee, placed runner-up in 20:02. Saint Johns Country Day senior Rebecca Stratton coming in third at 20:03.

All-District Girls
Top Fifteen Girls

Providence runners took the next two places, with Stallion eighth-grader Emma Akhundjanov fourth in 20:06 and junior Katie Cunningham fifth in 20:17. Providence had two more in the top ten, juniors Sara Palmer (7th, 20:53) and Kasey Davey (9th, 21:32). The Stallions fifth scorer was frosh Leeza Loftin (14th, 21:55), giving the Providence girls 39 points and the team title.


Led by the one-two finish of Collante and Murfee, Oak Hall placed second in 1A District 2 with 55 points. Maclay, District champs in 2023, edged Saint John Country Day for third, 98 to 101. Maclay's first scorer was senior Payton Thumm, sixth in 20:50.

2024 Providence Girls' Cross-Country Team
Providence Girls

The top eight teams qualified for the 1A Region 1 meet, scheduled for Friday morning, 8 November 2024, at Cecil Field Golf Course in Jacksonville. Providence, Oak Hall, Maclay, and Saint John Country Day made the cut, as did Trinity Christian (5th, 140), Branford (6th, 181), Christ's Church (7th, 196), and Bishop Snyder (8th, 201).


Girls' Team Standings, 2024 FHSAA 1A Distict 2 Cross-Country Meet
  1. Providence, 39 *
  2. Oak Hall, 55 *
  3. Maclay, 98 *
  4. Saint Johns Country Day, 101 *
  5. Trinity Christian, 140 *
  6. Branford, 181 *
  7. Christs Church, 196 *
  8. Bishop Snyder, 201 *
  9. Saint John Paul Catholic, 211
  10. Bell, 271
  11. Community Christian, 310
  12. Trenton, 315
  13. North Florida Christian, 398
* Team advances to the 3A Region 1 Championship


Top Ten Girls, 2024 FHSAA 1A Distict 2 Cross-Country Meet
  1. 19:34.50, Estella Collante (Oak Hall) 11
  2. 20:01.90, Lola Murfee (Oak Hall) 10
  3. 20:03.00, Rebecca Stratton (Saint Johns Country Day) 12
  4. 20:05.20, Emma Akhundjanov (Providence) 8
  5. 20:16.40, Katie Cunningham (Providence) 11
  6. 20:49.60, Payton Thumm (Maclay) 12
  7. 20:53.00, Sara Palmer (Providence) 11
  8. 21:17.80, Serafina Rietow (Saint John Paul Catholic) 11
  9. 21:31.50, Kasey Davey (Providence) 11
  10. 21:33.40, Kate Staten (Saint Johns Country Day) 8

The 2024 FHSAA Cross-Country State Championship is Saturday, 16 November 2024 at Apalachee Regional Park. The 1A District 2 meet was one of the few chances during the 2024 season for athletes to preview the State Championship course at ARPXC.


"Since Pre-State was canceled because of the hurricane, this was like our Pre-State," said Collante.


Some athletes, though, have already seen ARPXC more than a few times.

Sean Cunningham
Sean Cunningham

"This is my seventh time running here," said Providence's Sean Cunningham. "I've been racing here since the seventh grade. You hit the Wall hard and use the downhills. It's a true cross-country course."


Cunningham was in front of the field right after the start of the boys' 5K, the rest of the Providence boys following in his wake. Soon, though, even his teammates were left behind. Not that Cunningham knew what was going on back there.

Grant Curtis
Harrison Kozlowski and Grant Curtis

"To be honest, I didn't look back at all," he said. "I was just going to feel it out today, and do what I need to do to win. I just wanted to win today."


Cunningham did just that. Never challenged, he crossed the finish line close to a hundred meters ahead of the next runner in 16:38.21, his best time yet at ARPXC. Oak Hall senior Grant Curtis took second in 16:59, just ahead of Providence junior Harrison Kozlowski, third in 17:03.

All-District Boys
Top Fifteen Boys

Sam Loftin, a Providence junior, placed fourth in 17:15 and Providence senior Ellis Halton was fifth in 17:24. Providence's fifth scorer, senior Donovan Drake, also cracked the top ten, coming in seventh in 17:38. That gave the Stallion boys 20 points and the 1A District 2 title, their third in the past three years.


Led by Curtis, Oak Hall placed second with 57 points. Maclay, the host school, put up 81 points for third. Maclay's first scorer was sophomore David Barton, sixth in 17:34. Barton had won the 2023 1A District 2 race.

2024 Providence Boys' Cross-Country Team
Providence Boys

The top three teams qualified for 1A Region 1 competition, as did the next five--Community Christian (4th, 92 points), Saint Francis (5th, 165), Harvest Community (6th, 184), Saint John Country Day (7th, 199), and Bishop Snyder (8th, 211). For the remaining seven teams, the 2024 season was over.


Miles and Minutes, LLC, of Tallahassee timed and scored the 2024 FHSAA 1A District 2 Cross-Country Championship.


Boys' Team Standings, 2024 FHSAA 1A Distict 2 Cross-Country Meet
  1. Providence, 20 *
  2. Oak Hall, 57 *
  3. Maclay, 81 *
  4. Community Christian, 92 *
  5. Saint Francis, 165 *
  6. Harvest Community, 184 *
  7. Saint Johns Country Day, 199 *
  8. Bishop Snyder, 211 *
  9. Covenant, 233
  10. Trinity Christian, 305
  11. Bell, 313
  12. Branford, 370
  13. Hamilton County, 374
  14. Christs Church, 377
  15. Trenton, 396
* Team advances to the 3A Region 1 Championship


Top Ten Boys, 2024 FHSAA 1A Distict 2 Cross-Country Meet
  1. 16:38.21, Sean Cunningham (Providence) 10
  2. 16:58.30, Grant Curtis (Oak Hall) 12
  3. 17:02.70, Harrison Kozlowski (Providence) 11
  4. 17:14.20, Sam Loftin (Providence) 11
  5. 17:23.80, Ellis Halton (Providence) 12
  6. 17:34.00, David Barton (Maclay) 10
  7. 17:37.50, Donovan Drake (Providence) 12
  8. 17:43.60, Landon Reeves (Community Christian) 9
  9. 17:43.90, Luke Meli (Community Christian) 11
  10. 17:49.70, Gabe Manry (Maclay) 11

FHSAA 1A District 2 Cross-Country Championship
at Apalachee Regional Park, 2021 - 2024
Girls
DateTeam ChampIndividual Champ
28 October 2021Maclay, 27 points19:33, Susan Gracie Koeppel (Maclay) 10
18 October 2022Maclay, 2019:19, Susan Gracie Koeppel (Maclay) 11
31 October 2023Maclay, 2018:20, Caroline Couch (Maclay) 10
30 October 2024Providence, 3919:35, Estella Collante (Oak Hall) 11
Boys
DateTeam ChampIndividual Champ
28 October 2021Maclay, 66 points16:23, Mattew Stratton (Saint John Country Day) 12
18 October 2022Providence, 3017:02, Clayton Knox (Maclay) 12
31 October 2023Providence, 2216:18, David Barton (Maclay) 9
30 October 2024Providence, 2016:39, Sean Cunningham (Providence) 10


Links
#3110

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

30 October 2024 Tallahassee 100-Mile Race Calendar

This is the Tallahassee vicinity road-race schedule for 30 October 2024. If that's more than a week ago, the latest schedule is always available via this link:


This is a listing of upcoming races within 100 miles of Tallahassee, Florida, roughly the region in the map below. If a race isn't listed, I probably haven't heard of it, so post a comment and let me know about it.
Races can be abruptly canceled or rescheduled, so if a race is farther
away than across the street, it is important to confirm that the event is
actually taking place. Be safe, and smooth trails!


2 November 2024 (Saturday)
  • 19th annual St. John Road Race 5K. 8:00 AM ET. St. John Catholic School, 800 Gornto Road, Valdosta, Georgia 31602-1699. 2023 story. 2022 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2015 story. 2012 story. 2011 story. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
  • 14th annual Run For Your Lungs 5K. 9:30 AM ET 5K / 9:35 AM ET one mile. Lake Blackshear Resort, 2459-H US Highway 280 West, Cordele, Georgia 31015. 2018 story. Event web site. Event profile on Facebook. 2019 Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
9 November 2024 (Saturday)
  • TKO Fairway 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Stone Creek Golf Club, 4553 Greenway Drive, Valdosta, Georgia 31602. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
10 November 2024 (Sunday)
  • Tom Walker Memorial Half-Marathon and 5K. 8:00 AM ET Half-Marathon / 8:15 AM ET 5K. Boulware Springs Park, 3300 SE 15th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32641. 2017 story. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
11 November 2024 (Monday) 16 November 2024 (Saturday)
23 November 2024 (Saturday)
28 November 2024 (Thursday)
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 48th annual Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K / 10K / 5K and one-mile fun run. 8:00 AM ET. State Office Satellite Complex at SouthWood, Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida. 2023 story. 2019 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. USATF-certified course FL16080TY (15K). USATF-certified course FL22045JK (10K). USATF certified course FL22044JK (5K). Event web site. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. David Yon, david@radeylaw.com or 850-425-6671 or 850-668-2236.
30 November 2024 (Saturday)
7 December 2024 (Saturday)
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 48th annual Ten-Mile Challenge and Five-Mile Road Race. 8:00 AM ET. Hawks Rise Elementary School, 205 Meadow Ridge Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32312-1565. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. USATF certified courses FL22043JK (ten mile) and FL22042JK (five mile). Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
  • Florida Track Club's Jingle Bell Jog 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Haile Plantation, 3846 SW 98th Terrace, Gainesville, Florida 32608. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
14 December 2024 (Saturday) 21 December 2024 (Saturday) 28 December 2024 (Saturday)
31 December 2024 (Tuesday)
  • 6th annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop 5K. 8:00 AM CT. Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413. 2023 story. 2021 story. 2018 story. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
1 January 2025 (Wednesday)
  • Val D'Osta New Year 5K. 9:00 PM ET. Valdosta State University Complex, 401 Baytree Road, Valdosta, Georgia 31602. 2024 story. 2022 story. 2020 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. A Course/Line, LLC, acourseline@earthlink.net or 229-630-1455.
  • Florida Track Club's 10th annual Frank Shorter Road Mile. 12:00 Noon ET. H Spurgeon Cherry "Westside" Pool, 1001 NW 31st Drive, Gainesville, Florida 32605. 2024 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. USATF course certification map #FL17087TY. Event profile on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
4 January 2025 (Saturday)
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 11th annual Swamp Forest Trail Races (Three-Quarter Marathon, Half Marathon, and Quarter Marathon). 8:00 AM ET. Elinor Klapp Phipps Park, Miller Landing Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312. 2024 story. 2020 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
11 January 2025 (Saturday) 18 January 2025 (Saturday)
  • 11th annual Half Shell Hustle 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Riverfront Park, 80 Water Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320. 2024 story. 2022 story. 2020 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. Event web page. Online registration at WebScorer.com.
  • 4th annual FSU Panama City Torch Run 5K. 9:00 AM CT. Florida State University Panama City Campus, Panama City, Florida. 2024 story. Online registration at ItsYourRace.com.
25 January 2025 (Saturday)
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 40th annual Bowlegs 5K Run for Scholarship. 9:00 AM ET. FAMU / FSU College of Engineering, 2525 Potsdamer Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32310-6046. 2022 story. 2020 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. USATF certified course #FL12001EBM. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. Larry Giunipero, lgiunip@cob.fsu.edu or 850-878-5569, or Bill Hillison, bhillis@garnet.acns.fsu.edu or 850-893-4557.
1 February 2025 (Saturday)
  • 29th Dr. James H. Crowdis 5K. 9:15 AM ET. First United Methodist Church, 397 College Street, Blakely, Georgia. 2024 story. 2020 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. USATF certified 5K course GA17001WC. Event web site. Event profile on Facebook. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RaceEntry.com.
  • 3rd annual Chipola 5K Challenge. 8:00 AM CT. Chipola College Cultural Center, 3094 Indian Circle, Marianna, Florida. 2024 story. Event web page. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at ItsYourRace.com. Thomas Howell, tvhowell1@gmail.com
  • 28th annual Pensacola Double Bridge Run 15K and 5K. 7:00 AM CT 15K / 8:30 AM CT 5K. Maritime Park, 301 West Main Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502. 2015 story. USATF certified 15K course #FL08009EBM. USATF certified 5K course #FL08010EBM. Event web site. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
8 February 2025 (Saturday)
15 February 2025 (Saturday)
22 February 2025 (Saturday)
1 March 2025 (Saturday) 8 March 2025 (Saturday)
  • Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority's Azalea 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Valdosta Early College Academy, 1605 Azalea Drive, Valdosta, Georgia 31602. 2023 story. 2022 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2011 story. Event web page.
15 March 2025 (Saturday)
  • 14th annual Lucky Leprechaun 5K. 8:00 AM CT. Fort Walton Beach Landing, 139 Brooks Street SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548. 2024 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. Event profile on Facebook. Entry form and flyer. Online registration at active.com.
16 March 2025 (Sunday)
  • Get Lucky Half Marathon 7:00 AM CT. Fort Walton Beach Landing, 139 Brooks Street SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548. Event profile on Facebook. Online registration at active.com0.
22 March 2025 (Saturday)
29 March 2025 (Saturday)
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 48th annual Springtime 10K, 5K and one-mile kids' run. 7:30 AM ET one-mile / 8:00 AM ET 10K and 5K. Florida Departemen of Transportation Building, 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. 2023 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. USATF-certifed course FL22011JK (10K). USATF-certifed course FL22012JK (5K). Event web site. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. springtime10k@gmail.com.
5 April 2025 (Saturday)
12 April 2025 (Saturday) 19 April 2025 (Saturday) 26 April 2025 (Saturday)
3 May 2025 (Saturday)
10 May 2025 (Saturday)
17 May 2025 (Saturday)
24 May 2025 (Saturday)
31 May 2025 (Saturday)
7 June 2025 (Saturday) 14 June 2025 (Saturday)
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 27th annual Potluck Bash Four-Mile Cross-Country Race. 6:00 PM ET. Forestmeadows Athletic Center, 4750 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida. 2024 story. 2023 story. 2022 story. 2021 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. David Yon, david@radeylaw.com or 850-425-6671.
  • 14th annual Break Bread Bun Run 5K. 7:30 AM ET. Valdosta YMCA, 2424 Gornto Road, Valdosta, Georgia 31602. 2024 story. 2023 story. 2022 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event page onFacebook Entry form and flyer. Online registration at RunSignUp. First Presbyterian Church, fpcassistant@hotmail.com or 229-242-8376.
21 June 2025 (Saturday)
28 June 2025 (Saturday)
  • Wakulla County Cross Country Boosters' 12th annual Paul Hoover Freedom 5K and one-mile fun run. 8:00 AM ET 5K / 8:45 AM ET one mile. Wakulla Springs State Park, 550 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, Florida 32327. 2024 story. 2023 story. 2022 story. 2021 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. Event group on Facebook. Event page on Facebook. Entry form and flyer. Online registration at EventBrite.com.
4 July 2025 (Friday)
5 July 2025 (Saturday)
  • 15th annual Big Dog Heat Wave Five Mile. 8:00 AM ET. Lake Oliver Marina, 5501 River Road, Columbus, Georgia 31904. 2024 story. 2023 story. 2022 story. 2016 story. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
12 July 2025 (Saturday)
19 July 2025 (Saturday)
26 July 2025 (Saturday)
2 August 2025 (Saturday)
9 August 2025 (Saturday)
16 August 2025 (Saturday)
23 August 2025 (Saturday)
30 August 2025 (Saturday)
6 September 2025 (Saturday)
13 September 2025 (Saturday)
20 September 2025 (Saturday)
27 September 2025 (Saturday)
4 October 2025 (Saturday)
  • beeHahira Honeybee Festival 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Hahira Community Center, 216 Randall Street, Hahira, Georgia 31632. 2023 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event web page. Entry form and flyer. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
  • 10th annual Tate's Hell And Back 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Crooked River Grill at Saint James Bay Golf Club, 151 Laughing Gull Lane, Carrabelle, Florida 32322. 2023 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. Event profile on Facebook. Event page on Facebook. Entry form and flyer. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. BeLinda Wharton, bhwharton@gmail.com or 850-544-5410.
11 October 2025 (Saturday)
  • PineGulf Winds Track Club's 46th annual Pine Run at Tall Timbers 20K. 7:30 AM ET. Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32312. 2024 story. 2023 story. 2022 story. 2021 story. 2019 story. 2017 story. 2015 story. 2014 story. 2013 story. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. Event page on Facebook. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. GWTCpinerun@gmail.com or text Carter Hay (850-294-9388) or Jennifer Hay (850-294-9395).
18 October 2025 (Saturday)
  • Breast cancer ribbon18th annual Rejoice Run 5K and Mom's Mile (formerly Joyce's Jog). 7:30 AM ET one mile / 8:00 AM ET 5K. Historic Donalsonville Fire Station, 220 South Woolfork Avenue, Donalsonville, Georgia 39845. 2024 story. 2023 story. 2022 story. 2019 story. 2018 story. 2017 story. 2016 story. 2015 story. 2010 story. Online registration at RunSignUp.com.
25 October 2025 (Saturday) #3109

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

The Chiles Timberwolves swept cross-country team honors in 3A District 1

FHSAA 3A District 1 Cross-CountryIf an odd-shaped state like Florida could be said to have a northwest corner, FHSAA District 1 for high school cross-country is that corner. The high school cross-country teams of District 1 started the post-season championship series on Monday, 29 October 2024 at Niceville's Twin Oaks Park with the District Championship Meet. The Chiles Timberwolves of Tallahassee had the top team in both the girls' 5K and the boys' 5K. In individual competition, Choctawhatchee junior Isabel Harter won the girls' 5K with an 18:28, while Gulf Breeze sophomore Andrew Beroset took the boys' 5K race in 15:33.


The girls were on the course first; their race starting at 9:30 AM. It was the second year in a row that the 3A District 1 Meet had been at Twin Oaks Park. In 2023 two juniors had dueled for the individual title, with Leon's Madi Sims edging Elyse Carmichael of Washington 19:01 to 19:05. Both athletes were back in 2024, but anyone expecting a rematch had not reckoned on Isabel Harter. Choctawhatchee's Harter had finished back in the field in 2023, coming in fifth in 20:11, but a year had made a great deal of difference. This time out, Harter tore around the course in 18:28, finishing the race with a 70-meter lead. Carmichael was runner-up in 18:43. Savi Stanley, a Chiles sophomore, was third in 19:02.


Stanley was only the first Timberwolf in the top ten. She was joined by junior London Mellen (8th, 19:52), sophomore Kaia Ables (9th, 19:53), and junior Maddy Morris (10th 19:57). Frosh Chloe Molen completed the scoring for Chiles, coming in sixteenth in 20:31. That gave the Timberwolf girls 46 points and the District 1 title.


Host Niceville was a close second with 51 points, led by a pair of frosh athletes--Delaney Diehl (4th, 19:43) and Riley Marise (5th, 19:47). Third in the team standings, Fort Walton Beach scored 72 points behind Viking senior Belicia O'Grady. O'Grady was sixth in 19:48.


Eighth teams qualified for next meet in the State Championship series, the 3A Region 1 Championship in in Panama City on Thursday morning, 7 November 2024. In addition to the top three squads the teams from Gulf Breeze (4th, 110), Leon (5th, 174), Mosley (6th, 201), Choctawhatchee (7th, 212), and Rickards (8th, 212) advanced to Region.


Girls' Team Standings, 2024 FHSAA 3A Distict 1 Cross-Country Meet
  1. Chiles, 46 *
  2. Niceville, 51 *
  3. Fort Walton Beach, 72 *
  4. Gulf Breeze, 110 *
  5. Leon, 174 *
  6. Mosley, 201 *
  7. Choctawhatchee, 212 *
  8. Rickards, 240 *
  9. Lincoln, 248
  10. Washington, 254
  11. Escambia, 263
  12. Milton, 294
  13. Pine Forest, NTS
* Team advances to the 3A Region 1 Championship


Top Ten Girls, 2024 FHSAA 3A Distict 1 Cross-Country Meet
  1. 18:27.6, Isabel Harter (Choctawhatchee) JR
  2. 18:42.8, Elyse Carmichael (Washington) SR
  3. 19:01.1, Savannah Stanley (Chiles) SO
  4. 19:42.6, Delaney Diehl (Niceville) FR
  5. 19:46.7, Riley Marise (Niceville) FR
  6. 19:47.8, Belicia O'Grady (Fort Walton Beach) SR
  7. 19:49.9, Ashton Dahlem (Gulf Breeze) SO
  8. 19:51.8, London Mellen (Chiles) JR
  9. 19:52.5, Kaia Ables (Chiles) SO
  10. 19:56.4, Maddy Morris (Chiles) JR

At the 2023 3A District 1 meet, only two athletes had broken 16:00 on the Twin Oaks Park course--Leon's Patrick Koon and Andrew Beroset of Gulf Breeze. Of those two only Beroset was still running high school cross-country. That might have prompted you to pick the Gulf Breeze sophomore as the favorite going into the 2024 District Meet.


It would have been a smart choice. Beroset left the field over a hundred meters behind on his way to a 15:33 win. The runner-up also cracked 16:00, with Chiles sophomore Jonathan Kiros turning a 15:54 for second place. Lincoln junior Matthew Hauser took third with a 16:04, just ahead of the 16:08 posted by fourth-place Joshua Hicks, a Chiles junior.


Chiles senior Gabriel Edwards also cracked the top ten, coming in fifth in 16:23. Chiles also got scoring performances from senior Jack Fuller (19th, 17:02) and junior Jackson Beener (20th, 17:03), giving the Timberwolf boys 50 points--good for first place in 3A District 1.


Gulf Breeze and Beroset were second with 65 points. Lincoln and Hauser were third with 89.


The other teams making the top eight and advancing to the 3A Region 1 meet were Niceville (4th, 94 points), Fort Walton Beach (5th, 119), Leon (6th, 120), Arnold (7th, 185), and Mosley (8th, 256).


The 3A Region 1 meet, though, is only another step on the way to the top of the staircase--the FHSAA Cross-Country State Chamionship in Tallahassee, Florida at Apalachee Regional Park on Saturday morning, 16 November 2024. The top eight teams in the Region will advance to State.


Boys' Team Standings, 2024 FHSAA 3A Distict 1 Cross-Country Meet
  1. Chiles, 50 *
  2. Gulf Breeze, 65 *
  3. Lincoln, 89 *
  4. Niceville, 94 *
  5. Fort Walton Beach, 119 *
  6. Leon, 120 *
  7. Arnold, 185 *
  8. Mosley, 256 *
  9. Rickards, 263
  10. Milton, 306
  11. Choctawhatchee, 332
  12. Washington, 337
* Team advances to the 3A Region 1 Championship


Top Ten Boys, 2024 FHSAA 3A Distict 1 Cross-Country Meet
  1. 15:32.9, Andrew Beroset (Gulf Breeze) SO
  2. 15:53.4, Jonathan Kiros (Chiles) SO
  3. 16:03.1, Matthew Hauser (Lincoln) JR
  4. 16:07.2, Joshua Hicks (Chiles) JR
  5. 16:22.2, Gabriel Edwards (Chiles) SR
  6. 16:37.6, Sebastian Riemer (Niceville) FR
  7. 16:43.1, Ryan McCreary (Lincoln) JR
  8. 16:44.3, Trent Parsons (Lincoln) SO
  9. 16:44.6, Heath Maguire (Gulf Breeze) SO
  10. 16:45.3, Cadden Maxwell (Leon) SR

Links
#3108

Sunday, October 27, 2024

A great day at the Great Race for Marcus Giles and Jamie Peake

Perry's Great RaceOn Saturday morning, 26 October 2024, seven days after turning a 19:18 for his school's team at the New World Fall Spectacular Cross-Country Meet, Marcus Giles was racing on the streets of Perry, Florida. That's where the Saint John Country Day School frosh won The Great Race 5K, running 18:14 and finishing a hundred meters ahead of the next runner. Perry master runner Jamie Peake was the first woman in the race, placing thirteenth overall in 26:10.


Michael Rhodes of Perry was the first master runner in the race and the overall runner-up, covering the course in 18:39. Rhodes was a three-time Great Race champion, with wins in 2016, 2017, and 2019. At 21:31 Fleming Island, Florida master runner Terry Giles came in third overall.


Andrea White, a Greenville, Florida master runner, was second in the women's standings. White was fourteenth overall in 27:50. Thirteen-year-old Karly Nawlin was third in the women's division and fifteenth overall in 29:08.


48 athletes finished the 2024 running of The Great Race 5K.


Top Ten Men, Perry's 2019 Great Race 5K
  1. 18:13.85, Marcus Giles (M, 15) Fleming Island, FL
  2. 18:38.48, Michael Rhodes (M, 55) Perry, FL
  3. 21:30.68, Terry Giles (M, 45) Fleming Island, FL
  4. 21:41.35, Nolan Amman (M, 15) Perry, FL
  5. 22:32.22, William Carter (M, 60) Perry, FL
  6. 23:36.96, Timothy Fraser (M, 46) Tallahassee, FL
  7. 24:13.30, Nathan Nawlin (M, 34) Perry, FL
  8. 24:15.65, Ralph Blackman (M, 54) Milton, FL
  9. 24:48.56, Benjamin "Trey" Blue (M, 34) Perry, FL
  10. 24:58.80, David Sunderland (M, 48) Jacksonville, FL

Top Ten Women, Perry's 2019 Great Race 5K
  1. 26:09.47, Jamie Peake (F, 40) Perry, FL
  2. 27:49.25, Andrea White (F, 46) Greenville, FL
  3. 29:07.48, Karly Nawlin (F, 13) Perry, FL
  4. 29:43.49, Marilee Giles (F, 53) Fleming Island, FL
  5. 31:19.24, Cera Blue (F, 35) Perry, FL
  6. 34:46.05, Tierney Declercq (F, 37) Perry, FL
  7. 34:52.46, Sabrina Bethea (F, 42) PerryPerry, FL
  8. 35:16.25, Delaney Loyed (F, 19) Perry, FL
  9. 35:26.64, Kaylee Nawlin (F, 32) Perry, FL
  10. 37:24.34, Marielvi Blanco (F, 16) Perry, FL

Winners of The Great Race, 2013 - 2019
DateMenWomenFinishers
26 October 201317:55, James Taylor26:02, Shanin Frost
25 October 201418:10, Gatlin Nennstiel21:34, Connie Lewis137
24 October 201518:26, Paul McRae17:49, Lydia Veal-McRae105
22 October 201618:57, Michael Rhodes25:59, Ellie Webb69
28 October 201717:55, Michael Rhodes17:28, Lydia McRae73
27 October 201818:23, Ethan Carter17:40, Lydia McRae69
26 October 201916:46, Michael Rhodes17:13, Lydia McRae72
22 October 202217:31, Casey Frock17:43, Lydia McRae60
26 October 202418:14, Marcus Giles26:10, Jamie Peake48


Links
#3107

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Boston, Georgia Half Marathon victories for Gary Rowan and Stephanie Liles-Weyant

On Old US 84, about half a dozen kilometers east of Boston, Georgia and half a dozen kilometers west of Dixie, Georgia, Gary Rowan called out.


"How far back are they?"

Gary Rowan
Gary Rowan

"They," or the fastest of "them," were about 300 meters back. And before Saturday morning, 26 October 2024 was over, they would be closer to 800 meters back when Rowan won the 44th annual Boston Half Marathon, posting a winning time of 1:17:03. Tallahassee, Florida master runner Stephanie Liles-Weyant was the first woman in the race, coming in tenth overall in 1:33:49.


The half marathon got started nearly ten minutes after the scheduled 8:00 AM time with the athletes setting out from downtown Boston, racing east toward the rising sun. Boston is a small city, so in less than a kilometer the athletes were at the edge of town. At the city limits, Gary Rowan of Adel, Georgia was already well over a hundred meters ahead.

Elliot Butler
Elliot Butler

Past cows, cotton in the fields, pinelands, and pecan orchards, Rowan continued to lead. Outside of Dixie, Georgia, at the turnaround for the out-and-back course, he was up 400 meters. The way back to downtown Georgia was more of the same; Rowan arrived first at the finish line in 1:17:03. It was his second win in seven days. The previous Saturday, Rowan had won the 47th annual Swamp Run 10K in Waycross, Georgia.


"I actually ran faster today," noted Rowan. "But that was a trail run."

Stephanie Liles-Weyant
Stephanie Liles-Weyant

Cairo, Georgia's Elliot Butler took second in 1:19:51, one place better and more than six minutes faster than his showing at the 2023 Boston Half Marathon. Stephen Andrews of Tallahassee overtook Tallahassee master runner Ryan Kunz during the second half of the half marathon to place third in 1:25.47. Kunz was the first master runner in the race, placing fourth in 1:26.53.


Stephanie Liles-Weyant led the women's field wire-to-wire, finishing the half marathon more than two kilometers ahead of the next woman in 1:33:49. eighteenth overall in 1:45:11. Another Tallahassee master runner, Laura McDermott, was the women's runner-up, finishing eighteenth overall in 1:45:11. Yet another Tallahassee master runner, Cathy Bond, was the third female finisher and twentieth overall in 1:45:43.

Laura McDermott
Laura McDermott

82 athletes finished the 2024 Boston Half Marathon. Gulf Winds Track Club of Tallahassee, Florida timed and scored the race.


Top Ten Men, 2024 Boston Half Marathon
  1. 1:17:03, Gary Rowan (M, 36) Adel, GA
  2. 1:19:51, Elliot Butler (M, 34) Cairo, GA
  3. 1:25:47, Stephen Andrews (M, 38) Tallahassee, FL
  4. 1:26:53, Ryan Kunz (M, 42) Tallahassee, FL
  5. 1:28:25, Jack McDermott (M, 55) Tallahassee, FL
  6. 1:29:42, Micah Andrews (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
  7. 1:30:34, Jonah Blay (M, 18) Tallahassee, FL
  8. 1:31:00, Hastings Read (M, 43) Tallahassee, FL
  9. 1:32:51, Camilo Ordonez (M, 45) Tallahassee, FL
  10. 1:37:18, Fanxiu Zhu (M, 55) Tallahassee, FL

Top Ten Women, 2024 Boston Half Marathon
  1. 1:33:49, Stephanie Liles-Weyant (F, 52) Tallahassee, FL
  2. 1:45:11, Laura McDermott (F, 45) Tallahassee, FL
  3. 1:45:43, Cathy Bond (F, 44) Tallahassee, FL
  4. 1:49:43, Nancy Stedman (F, 62) Tallahassee, FL
  5. 1:54:19, Michelle Hadden (F, 35) Tallahassee, FL
  6. 1:54:51, Cara Voyles (F, 25) Thomasville, GA
  7. 1:57:34, Ansley Oliver (F, 19) Tallahassee, FL
  8. 1:58:44, Georgina Hernandez (F, 34) Quincy, FL
  9. 1:59:33, Abbey Lineback (F, 36) Hahira, GA
  10. 2:00:28, Martha Guyas (F, 40) Tallahassee, FL

Boston Half Marathon Champions, 1979 - 2024
DateMenWomen
26 October 202477:03, Gary Rowan93:49, Stephanie Liles-Weyant
28 October 202378:15, Leonardo Canete79:13, Katie Sherron
29 October 202278:22, Hawthorne Hay1:47:20, Angela McNeely
30 October 202180:19, Leonardo Canete88:08, Sheryl Rosen
31 October 2020no race held
26 October 201978:44, Troy Dunkley85:24, Ann Centner
27 October 201875:48, Joshua Grant82:07, Sheryl Rosen
28 October 201774:47, Joshua Grant85:42, Sheryl Rosen
29 October 201667:00, Stanley Linton83:05, Allison Eagen
31 October 201579:50, Drew Rabun96:10, Jillian Heddaeus
25 October 201472:20, Chris Lake85:15, Katie Sherron
26 October 201371:17, Stanley Linton80:42, Sheryl Rosen
27 October 201273:46, Chris Lake83:27, Sheryl Rosen
29 October 201169:29, Kevin Sullivan82:10, Sheryl Rosen
30 October 201075:13, Vince Molosky86:59, Lisa Johnson
31 October 200979:49, Vince Molosky87:10, Sheryl Rosen
25 October 200881:50, Myles Gibson86:19, Sheryl Rosen
27 October 200776:18, John Seppala87:35, Sheryl Rosen
28 October 200681:18, Michael Martinez82:49, Sheryl Rosen
29 October 200581:11, Myles Gibson96:32, Jennifer Kilinski
30 October 200483:55, David Yon91:57, Jane Johnson
25 October 200376:20, Myles Gibson97:52, Lisa Whitworth
26 October 200284:38, Mike Posey92:41, Carrie Weyant
27 October 200182:36, Steven Walker95:24, Carrie Weyant
28 October 200075:28, Art Remillard83:20, Sarah Docter-Williams
30 October 199978:22, Corey Cherr95:28, Julie Carico
31 October 199880:25, Rusty Jones97:01, Peggy Simpson
25 October 199781:21, Rusty Jones82:55, Michelle LeFleur
26 October 199676:26, Jeff Nielsen86:12, Carrie Weyant
28 October 199578:21, Paul Hough91:01, Katherine Perez
29 October 199472:42, Paul Hough92:34, Diane Turchick
30 October 199375:33, Paul Hough86:09, Carrie Weyant
31 October 199277:45, Steve Carney86:05, Carrie Hunnicutt
26 October 1991
27 October 199079:33, Brian Murphy86:44, Donna Miller
28 October 198971:23, Alex Walmsley93:10, Mary Jean Yon
29 October 198874:22, T. C. Carroll1:41:54, Nancy Widener
1987no race held
8 November 1986
11 November 198567:30, Herb Wills88:06, Patti Sudduth
27 October 198474:21, Scott HinkleDot Skofronick
29 October 198370:25, Noel Shuman87:01, Patti Sudduth
30 October 198267:48, Noel Shuman91:41, Donna Murdock
31 October 198169:57, Gary Slayton88:56, Lt. Vickie Monroe
25 October 198071:49, Gary Slayton96:03, Judy Taylor
27 October 197970:52, Bruce Carpenter1:47:13, Robin Anderson
Got any information on the missing years? Let me know! Send an
e-mail to
hwills@gmail.com, or leave a comment below.


Links:
#3105