Scouting Report: Maclay Boys

The Maclay Marauders boys cross country team finished runner-up at the 1A Cross Country Finals in 2012. It came as a suprise to most people who had them pegged no better than third. The team slipped past Trinity Prep by three points and placed four of their top five runners in the top twenty-three spots. Good news for the team is that Trinity Prep has since moved up to 2A leaving them in a battle for the trophy with Holy Trinity. According to the preseason rankings Maclay is favored by just three points to win the overall team title, but anything can happen between now and that November day.

Coach Droze's army returns six of the top seven runners from last year. The one loss is a big one in Travis Covert who was the team's top finisher (8th) at state last year and will be running at UNF. They are led by seniors in Connor Daughton, Jack Rutledge, and Alex Artecona. Daughton, who was named the 2013 captain will go neck and neck with Rutledge for the team's number one runner. Artecona, who spent last spring at a soccer academy, will return to the line up. Those three finished 19th, 21st, and 23rd  at the state meet with less than five seconds of separation. Talk about a tight knit group and great example of pack running. Incoming freshman Jake Mazziota is coming off a strong track season round out the top group Sophomores Steven Simpkins and George Gwynn who have state meet experience along with fellow class of 2016 athlete Daniel Becker, a "cross country newbie", and 8th grader James McClure could also see time on the varsity level.

• Maclay Team Page