It was August of 1974 and the Class of '75 would become the first class of young women to be sanctioned and allowed to run, train & compete for their respective schools as athletes' in both Cross Country & Track & Field. The Nation as a whole was in a running boom with running shoes becoming chic and at the Girls Prep level, Florida was playing catch-up.
That first Class of '75 a limited number of schools would field teams in both sports, resulting in single class State meets in both sports. The first three seasons of girls cross country would run races that were half the distance of their male counterparts, officially running 1.5 miles for the state meet. In Track the first 2 seasons the girls were not allowed to run further than a mile. Thus the girls were being hindered in much the same manner as the boys were subjected too in that '60's old school thought patterns that had prevented them from running a further distance competitively. During the second seasons of both sports saw cross country expand to 2 classes while track would expand to 4. The girls were now off and running.
The next step came in the year 1977, first on the track. when the girls were finally allowed to race at the 2 mile distance for a state title, just like their male counterparts. Thus leveling the running field , so to say, in track between girls and boys. Later that fall, Cross Country officially became a 2 mile state meet race. Young women like Kathy Moore of Southwest (Miami), Sue Overby of McArthur (Hollywood), Rosemary Desloge of Leon (Tallahassee) and Betty Jo Springs of Bayshore (Bradenton) would be the first four women to set the standards high for those that would follow becoming the first of 78 that have crossed the Lady Nason Line, running under 11 minutes for 3200 meters.
Over the last season we added some great performances by several young women.
Alexa Cruz of St. Thomas Aquinas, SO., #30, joins the list and lead the way this past season running with a 10:43.79 during the season outstate at the Texas Relays in a strong field and finished 10th. Alexa would break the barrier 3 more times this past season, Florida Relays, 10:49.73, taking 2nd, 4A Region 4, 10:56.80, taking first and then winning the 4A State Title with a 10:52.44. Alexa also was the 4A Cross Country Champion this past year.
Julia Montgomery of Pine Crest, SO., #31, would improve and move up the list with a win running 10:44.06 at the Florida Relays which bettered her 10:53.78 performance at the FSU Relays earlier in the year. Both times topped her best from last year, 2013 ,10:55.37 at the FSU Relays. Julia would also run a 10:51.66 at state taking 2nd behind MacKenzie Wilson, but won the 2A 1600 title in 5:03.34 just ahead of MacKenzie. Julia also won the 2A Cross Country Title this past school year.
Emily Edwards of Fort Myers, SR., #36, a returning member to the list would run a 10:50.49 for a 1st place finish at the FSU Relays, but was not able to better her run at the same meet the year before in 10:45.42. Emily did win the 3A State Cross Country Champion. Emily has signed to attend the University of Alabama.
MacKenzie Wilson of Bolles, SO., #47, joined the list for the first time at the FSU Relays running a 10:51.43 for 3rd place, but later wins the 2A Title in 10:50.95, narrowly defeating Julia Montgomery who earlier in the day barely held off MacKenzie for the 2A 1600 Title.
Emma Rudman of Fort Walton Beach, SO., #48, Joined the list the past season at the FSU Relays in 10:50:96 finishing in 2nd place. Emma would also break the barrier again at State wining the 3A Title in 10:55.52.
Grace Casagrande of Cardinal Mooney, SR., #52, was one of the big surprises this past season being a former 400/800 specialist who moved up to tackle 1600 and 3200 races. In only her 4th 3200 race on track she runs a 10:51.69 finishing 4th at the FSU Relays. Later she would capture the 1A State Title in 11:01.54. Grace with attend St. Louis University.
Karen Xiang of Nease, SR., #65, was another big surprise previously was a middle distance specialist in track running the 400/800/1600 races. This season was her first running a 3200 on track. She like Casagrande would also break in to the list on her 4th race ever at FSU Relays running 10:55.51 taking 6th place. Karen would go on and run nearly as fast at 3A State taking 2nd in 10:55.82. Karen is moving on to the University of Pennsylvania.
Morgan Lucey of Episcopal, JR., #75, joins the list in high fashion taking 3rd at the State 2A 3200 with a time of 10:59.06 which was 15+ seconds better than her previous best time!
Julie Wollrath of Holy Trinity, JR., #28, is the highest rank runner currently able to be on this list, however, last season decided to join Holy Trinity's Lacrosse team. Her return seems unlikely.
Sarah Candiano of Evangelical Christian, JR., #78, who made the list in 2013 with a 10:59.55 was not able to better her 3200M time this past season but was able to win the 1A State 1600M title in 5:04.79.
The Standards:
· 11:00.00 at 3200 or 11:03.85 at 2 Miles or faster.
· Runner must attend a Florida High School as Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior & Senior (9-12)
· Post season runs for Seniors must occur before the end of July following Graduation.
· 3000 Meter conversions will not be considered for list, but will be footnoted.
· All running seasons to be included, when applicable.
The Structure:
· Placement on list based on times converted from 2 Mile to 3200, when applicable.
· All times will be expressed to the one hundredth, i.e. 11:00.00.
· Times posted will be each runners best know run to date.
· Two Mile time will be included to the right of the converted 3200 time posted.
· The year the race was run is to the right of the posted time.
· The runners high school, year of graduation and hometown are shown.
· The meet in which the race & time were met, when known.
· Which season in which the race was run: Cross Country, Between Seasons, Track, Track Championship & Post Season.
· When the runner is known to be in the Top Ten at Graduation, Placement is noted.
· State Titles will be listed for each runner also additional Honors if known.
· When "?" marks are use information is missing or unverified and should also be noted.
· Runners that attended more than one high school will be noted.
Rank Name 3200/2 Mile Year High School C/O Hometown Meet
1.Ashley Brasovan 10:13.45 2007 Wellington 2009 Wellington 4A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph. Ranked #1 at Graduation. Ran the 3rd best Indoor 2 Mile at 10:31.38 on 200M track. Titles: XC 4A '05, '06, '07 & '08; T 4A 3200 '06, '07 & '08.
2.Betty Jo Springs 10:13.62/10:17.20 1979 Bayshore 1979 Bradenton St. Thomas Meet Track season, Non-championship. Ranked #1 at Graduation. XC 3A '75, '76, '77 & '78; T 3A 880 '76, '77, '78 & '79; Mile '76, '77, '78 & '79; 2 Mile '77, '78 & '79. Undefeated as a Prep. Note that the 2 mile was not an event in '76. Her 15 titles is the most of any runner boys or girls in Florida history.
3.Kathryn Fluehr 10:18.29 2010 CSO Naples 2011 Naples 1A Region 3 Track season, Championship as a Jr. Ranked #3 at graduation. Ran the 6th best Indoor 2 mile 10:48.25 on a 307M track. XC 1A '09; T 1600 '10; 3200, '10 & '11. Twin sister to Erika Fluehr.
4.Jennifer Barringer 10:18.84 2003 Oviedo 2005 Oviedo Florida's Milers ACM Between seasons, mixed race, as a Jr. Ranked #2 at graduation. XC 4A '02, '03 & '04; T 1600 '03, '04 & '05; 3200 '04 & '05.
5.Kelly Parrish 10:19.13/10:22.74 2005 Vanguard 2006 Ocala Nike's Outdoor Nat. Post Season elite meet in North Carolina as a Jr. Ranked #3 at graduation. Ran the 7th best Indoor 3200 in 10:47.06 on 200M track. XC 3A '04 & '05; T 1600 '04 & '05; 3200 '04 & '05.
6.Kara Scanlin 10:23.65 2002 Episcopal 2002 Jacksonville Addis Out. Nat. Post season elite meet in North Carolina. Ranked #2 at Graduation. XC 1A '01; T 1600 '01 & '02; 3200 '01 & '02.
7.Shelby Hayes 10:23.79/10:27.43 2010 Winter Park 2010 Winter Park New Balance ON Post season elite meet in North Carolina. Ranked #7 at Graduation. XC 4A '09; T 1600 '09 & '10; 3200 '10.
8.Nicole Schappert 10:24.24/10:27.98 2004 Pope J.P. II 2005 Boca Raton Arcadia Invit.
Track season run out-state in California as a Jr. Ranked #4 at Graduation. XC 2A '03 & '04; T 1600 '03, '04 & '05; 3200 '03, '04 & '05.
9.Lily Williams 10:25.09/10:28.74 2012 Chiles 2012 Tallahassee New Balance ON Track season run out-state in North Carolina. Ranked #9 at Graduation. T 800 3A '12; T1600 '12; 3200 '10, '11 & '12.
10.Anne-Marie Blaney 10:25.38/10:29.03 2012 Belleview 2012 Belleview New Balance ON Track season run out-state in North Carolina. Ranked 10th at Graduation.
11.Caroline Annis 10:23.34 1998 Plant 1998 Tampa Western Conf. FD. Track season, championship. Ranked #2 at graduation. XC 5A '94, '95, '96 & '97; T 1600 '95 & '98; 3200 '96, '97 & '98.
12.Erika Fluehr 10:27.26/10:30.92 2011 CSO Naples 2011 Naples Brooks PR Invit. Track season indoor run out-state in Washington. Ranked #10 at Graduation. XC 1A '10. This ranks #1 all-time indoor run on a 307m track! Twin sister to Kathryn Flueher.
13.Kayla Hale 10:27.63/10:31.29 2008 Holy Trinity A. 2009 Melbourne Nike Indoor Nat. Track season indoor run out-state in Maryland as a Jr. Ranked # 8 at Graduation. XC 1A '05, '06, '07 & '08; T 1600 '08 & '09; 3200 '07, '08 & '09. This ranks #2 all-time indoor 2 Mile run on 200M track.
14.Emilie Amaro 10:28.58 2008 Cypress Bay 2008 Weston Running-Zone.com AC Post season elite meet in state. Ran the 5th best Indoor 3200 10:43.79 on a 200M track. Ranked #9 at Graduation. T 1600 '07.
15.Carla Dolder 10:29.83/10:33.50 1981 Gainesville 1981 Gainesville 3A State Meet
Track season, Championship. Ranked #2 at Graduation. T 3A Mile '81; 2 Mile '80 & '81.
16.Sharon Chiong 10:30.12/10:33.80 1982 Killian 1982 Miami 4A State Meet Track season, Championship. Ranked #3 at Graduation. XC 4A '81; T Mile '82; 2 Mile '81 & '82.
17.Bona Jones 10:30.35 2006 Estero 2006 Estero Cougar Challenge Track season, Non-championship. Ranked #9 at Graduation. XC 2A '05; T 3A 3200 '06.
18.Kacey Smith 10:34.90 2011 Estero 2012 Estero FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Jr.. XC 2A '10; T 3200 '11
19.Brittany Koziara 10:36.14 2008 Boone 2009 Orlando Running.Zone.com AC Post Season elite meet in state as a Jr. T 1600 '08.
20.Shelby Davidson 10:36.32/10:40.03 2012 Cocoa Beach 2012 Cocoa Beach New Balance In. Nat Track season indoor run out-state in Maryland. XC 2A '11; T 3200 '12. This Ranks #4 all-time Indoor run on 200M track.
21.Kathy Moore 10:38.80/10.42.80 1977 Southwest 1978 Miami 4A Region 4 Track season, Championship as a Jr. Ranked #1 at Graduation. XC 4A '76; T Mile '77; 2 Mile '77.
22.Stefanie Kurgatt 10:39.08 2012 Maclay 2013 Tallahassee UNF Spring Break Inv. Track season, Non-championship as a Jr. T 800 '09, '10, '11, '12 & '13; 1600 '12 & '13, 2nd youngest to win a title in 8th grade.
23.Jennifer McGranahan 10:40.26/10:44.00 1997 Pensacola 1997 Pensacola ????
Season & Location yet to be determined. Ranked #4 at Graduation. T 6A 3200 '97. Twin sister to Ann McGranahan.
24.Bridget Blake 10:40.30 2013 Dr. Phillips 2013 Orlando FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship. XC 4A '10, '11 & '12; T 800 '11 & '12; 1600 '11, '12 & '13; 3200 '11, '12 & '13.
25.Olivia Ortiz 10:40.64 2012 Lakewood Ranch 2013 Bradenton FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Jr. XC 3A '11.
26.Jana Stolting 10:41.54 2010 Maclay 2010 Tallahassee FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship.
27. Nikita Shah 10:42.60 2012 Wiregrass Ranch 2013 Wesley Chapel FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Jr.
28. Julie Wollrath 10:42.81 2012 Holy Trinity A 2015 Melbourne Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Frosh. Though technically Active! Julie did not compete in Track in 2014 opting to join Lacrosse. XC 1A '11, '12 & '13; T 1600 '11; 3200 '12.
29. Carly Thomas 10:43.54 2012 Chiles 2012 Tallahassee Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship. XC 3A '09.
30. Alexa Cruz 10:43.79 2014 St. Thomas Aquinas 2016 Miami Texas Relays Track season, Non-Championship Outstate as a Soph. Active! XC 4A '13; T 4A 3200 '14.
31. Julia Montgomery 10:44.06 2014 Pine Crest 2016 Ft. Lauderdale Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Soph. Active! XC 2A '12 & '13; T2A 3200 '13, 1600 '14.
32. Kathleen (Kathi )Ward 10:44.54/10:48.30 1992 Lincoln 1993 Tallahassee Golden South Post Season elite meet in state as a Jr. XC 4A '91 & '92; T 1600/3200 '91 & '92;
33. Rachel Givens 10:44.66 2013 Chiles 2013 Tallahassee FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship. T 4A 3200, '13.
34. Bryce Seymour 10:44.74 2013 Hagerty 2013 Oviedo Highlander Invit. Track season, Non-championship.
35. Koral Dorsett 10:45.34/10:49.10 1983 St. Pete Cath. 1983 St. Petersburg 3A State Meet Track season, Championship. Ranked #4 at Graduation. XC 3A '81 & '82; T 1600 '83; 3200 '82 & '83.
36. Emily Edwards 10:45.42 2013 Ft. Myers 2014 Ft. Myers FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship. XC 3A '13; T 1600 '13.
37. Rosemary Desloge 10:46.23/10:50.00 1977 Leon 1978 Tallahassee 3A State Meet T Cross country season, championship on course. Ranked #2 at Graduation.
38. Donna Combs 10:46.23/10:50.00 1984 Episcopal 1986 Jacksonville 2A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph. Ranked #5 at Graduation. XC 2A '82 & '83, T 1600 '83 & '84; 3200 '82, '83 & '84. Moved to Louisville, KY & attended Ballard HS 3A for Jr & Sr. seasons winning state titles in XC, 800, 1600 & 3200 both seasons. Note: State champ in XC & 3200 as 8th grader.
39. Cathlene Willy 10:46.23 2002 Flanagan 2002 Pembroke Pines 4A State Meet Track season, Championship. T 4A 3200 '02.
40. Hillary White 10:46.27 2000 Buchholz 2000 Gainesville 4A Region 1 Track season, Championship. Eastside HS XC 4A '97 & '98; T 1600 '98; 3200 '98 & '99; Transferred to Buchholz for Sr. year. XC 4A '99; T 1600 '00; 3200 '00.
41. Margaret Traylor 10:48.37 2006 Episcopal 2008 Jacksonville Mobil MoChamp. Track season, Non-championship run out-state in Alabama as a Soph. T 2A 1600 '06; 3200 '06 & '07. Sister to Kathleen Traylor former 2A Cross Country State Champ in 2007.
42. Lisa Beck 10:42.42/10:52.20 1980 Clearwater 1980 Clearwater 4A State Meet Track season, Championship. Ranked #5 at Graduation. T 4A 880 '80; Mile '80; 2 Mile '80.
43. Vannessa Valentine 10:48.88 2012 Melbourne 2012 Melbourne FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship.
44. Sue Overby 10:49.21/10:53.00 1978 McArthur 1979 Miami 4A State Meet Cross country season, championship on course. Ranked #4 at graduation. XC 4A '75 & '77; T 880 '78; Mile '78 & '79.
45. Stephanie Schappert 10:49.46 2010 Pope J.P. II 2011 Boca Raton Warrior Invit. Track season, Non-championship as a Jr. XC 2A '08 & '09; T 800 '10 & '11; 1600 '10 & '11. Sister to Nicole Schappert.
46. Jacy Kruzel 10:50.22 2005 Cooper City 2005 Cooper City 4A State Meet Track season, Championship.
47.MacKenzie Wilson 10:50.95 2014 Bolles 2016 Jacksonville 2A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph. Active! T 2A 3200 '14.
48. Emma Rudman 10:50.96 2014 Ft. Walton Beach 2016 Ft. Walton Beach FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Soph. Active! T 3A 3200 '14.
49. Caroline Barlow 10:51.22 2012 Gulf Coast 2014 Naples 3A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph.
50. Kerry Allen 10:51.56 2003 St. Petersburg 2006 St. Petersburg 4A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Frosh. T 4A '03.
51. Kira Soderstrom 10:51.69 2011 Winter Park 2011 Winter Park FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship.
52. Grace Casagrande 10:51.69 2014 Cardinal Mooney 2014 Sarasota FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship. T 1A 3200 '14.
53. Devin McDermott 10:52.82 2012 Lakewood Ranch 2012 Bradenton FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship.
54. Sharon Farrall 10:52.86/10:56.67 1986 Seminole 1986 Seminole 4A State Meet Track season, Championship. Ranked #8 at Graduation. T 4A 3200 '86.
55. Emily Houston 10:53.00 2007 Jenson Beach 2007 Jenson Beach UoTampa DC Track season, Non-championship. XC 2A '06.
56. Jessia Hellender 10:53.02 2002 Cooper City 2002 Cooper City Broward South Q Track season, Non-championship. XC 4A '01.
57. Julia Rodriguez 10:53.23 2013 Plant 2013 Tampa Golden South Post Season elite meet in state.
58. Carmen Gardner 10:53.76/10:57.57 1983 Spruce Creek 1983 Port Orange 4A State Meet Track season, Championship. Ranked #7 at Graduation. XC 4A '82; T 2 Mile '83.
59. Antoinette Turner 10:53.79/10:57.60 1985 Ed White 1985 Jacksonville 4A State Meet Track season, Championship. Ranked #8 at Graduation. T 4A 3200 '85.
60. Sarah Day 10:53.89 2012 West Shore 2012 Melbourne 2A State Meet Track season, Championship.
61. Stephanie Strasser 10:54.54/10:58.36 2010 Fernando Beach 2010 Fernando Beach UoK HS Invit. Track season, non-championship run outstate in Kentucky as a Sr. This Ranks as the 8th best Indoor 2 Mile run on 291M track. T 2A 3200 '09.
62. Rebecca Chandler 10:54.64 2011 Bolles 2011 Jacksonville FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship.
63. Katy Solis 10:55.17 2013 Estero 2013 Estero Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship.
64. Taylor Tubbs 10:55.35 2013 Sebring 2013 Sebring Sebring 4Way #3 Track season, Non-championship.
65. Karen Xiang 10:55.51 2014 Nease 2014 Ponte Verde Beach FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship.
66. Brigithe Moreno 10:56.09 2006 Plant 2008 Tampa UoTampa DC Track season, Non-championship as a Soph. XC 3A '06.
67. Allison Wilson 10:56.13 2012 Leesburg 2013 Leesburg Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Jr.
68. Lourdes Brea 10:56.65 2013 Our Lady of Lourdes 2014 Miami FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Jr.
69. Mariana Lucena 10:56.74 2009 Cypress Bay 2009 Weston Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship. T 4A 3200 '09.
70. Emily Ahrens 10:57.15 2011 Vero Beach 2011 Vero Beach Astronaut Invit. Track season, Non-championship.
71. Fallon Heffernan 10:57.47 2004 Fletcher 2004 Jacksonville 4A State Meet Track season, Championship.
72. Michelle Jernigan 10:57.56/11:01.40 1987 Leon 1989 Tallahassee 3A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph. T 3A 2 Mile '87 & '89.
73. Juanita Segura 10:58.26/11:02.10 1984 Leto 1984 Tampa 4A State Meet Track season, Championship. Ranked #9 at Graduation. T 4A 2 Mile '84.
74. Grace Thomas 10:58.83 2011 Vero Beach 2011 Vero Beach Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship.
75. Morgan Lucey 10:59.06 2014 Episcopal 2015 Jacksonville 2A State Meet Track season, Championship. Active!
76. Kara Newell 10:59.17 2001 Maclay 2002 Tallahassee Capital City Classic Track season, Non-championship as a Jr. T A 1600 '01; 3200 '01.
77. Olivia Fay 10:59.25 2010 Pope J.P. II 2010 Boca Raton 2A State Meet Track season, Championship. T 2A 3200 '10.
78. Sarah Candiano 10:59.55 2013 Evangelical Christian 2015 Ft. Myers 1A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph. Active! T 1A 3200 '13 & 1600 '14.
