Teams arrived Saturday for the 20th annual Panhandle Championships dressed in sweat suits, ski caps, and some wrapped in blankets trying to keep warm. But, the chilly temps seemed to have little effect on the runners as they were all looking for a chance at the Panhandle Champion title. Over 700 participants were registered, including six middle school teams. The course was in excellent condition according race director and Marianna High School coach Allan Gibson. Despite the previous day's rain, there were hardly any muddy areas to slow runners down. In fact, a course record was broken in the Varsity Girls race.
After about a 10 minute delay for a late arriving team, 25 teams lined the starting area for the Varsity Boys race. Most of the runners had been on this course before and knew what to expect, and they were ready. Shot gun start, and off they go. The runners start on a football field, lined up in front of the field goal post. They run the first 100 yards across the field, each runner trying to break free from the crowd and be in a good spot going out the gate. The rest of the course is a combination of sand, grass and some concrete along with a half mile hill. Unfortunately, this course has little area where spectators can view anything other than the start and finish. Coaches, parents and team members all anxiously awaited to spot the first runners heading toward the finish line. First to enter the field was Patrick Swain from Maclay High School who ran a time of 15:50.2. "I was hoping to do a little better and run in the 15:30's," Patrick commented after the race. "Some of the guys I was hoping to race against were not here. It was hard to push myself that first mile. The course wasn't too muddy, it was perfect. And the weather was perfect." Maclay High School was 5th overall with 172 points.
Not far behind Patrick Swain was Gabriel Holguin from Bay High School, running a 16:06.9 followed by 3rd place Ian Bordelon from Booker T. Washington who finished in 16:12.03. Ian helped give Washington the first place team win with 45 points, and Washington also had the 4th and 5th place finishers. The second place team was Fort Walton Beach High School with 78 Points. Luc Lawrence was the first team member to cross the line with a time of 16:19.16, in 7th place. With 117 points was Niceville High School, taking the 3rd place team win. Their top runner was Cody Skarupa, who finished in 16th place with a 16:34.43.
The girls varsity had an exciting finish. As Stefanie Kurgatt, from Maclay High School entered the field, Marianna High School coach commented, "I think she's going to smash the course record." And smash it she did. Stefanie crossed the finish in 17:47.62, breaking the previous varsity girls 5K course time of 18:02.66 set by Chiles High School Lily Williams in 2008. This was a big PR for Stefanie, too. Her previous best time was 18:27.73 which was set at the Little Everglades Pre-State invitational earlier this year. Stefanie stated about the race, "I felt really good. We had good competition." Maclay also provided the 2nd place finisher, Jana Stolting with a finish time of 17:53.27. In 3rd was Lily Williams from Chiles finishing in 18:08.06.
Lily's 3rd place finish helped Chiles secure a 1st place team win with 42 points. Fort Walton Beach High School had 50 points giving them the 2nd place win. Holly Stanton was the first team member to cross the finish with a time of 19:04.27 in 6th place. Maclay secured the 3rd place team win with 62 points.
Through all the excitement of a new course record and new PR's, sometimes there are runners who just stand out. Not because they had an impressive time or place, but simply because they did their best. Tiffany Stevens, a Freshman from Marianna High School crossed the finish smiling. It was obvious she felt good about her run. But she didn't win and her finish time was not a PR. Tiffany finished in 121st place with a time of 27:19.87. This is the first year she has participated in Cross Country. "Usually it's much harder because of the hill," she said. "We have a half mile hill over there, but the downhill helps catch you back up." She talked about why she started running. "I could barely finish a mile without stopping. Now I can do 3.1 miles without stopping. I feel healthier, better about myself. My friends encouraged me to do it." Sometimes winning the race isn't what's important.
The open race also had some good competition. Individual runner Micah Adriani took the overall Women's win with a race finish of 19:44.41. Lizzy Gallager from Fort Walton Beach High School was the first High School JV girl to cross the line, taking a 2nd place finish with a time of 20:36.28. Fort Walton Beach took 2nd place as a team with 33 points. Bolles High School team was 1st with 25 points. Melissa Picco was their first runner across the line running a time of 21:06.47. Carly Cottington, running a 22:32.32, helped Mosley High School secure the 3rd place team win with at total of 73 points.
The men's race 1st place runner was individual participant Trevor Beasly. He crossed the line in 15:31.13. Fort Walton Beach High School took the 1st place JV win with 33 points. Team member Brian Stanton was the first JV High School team participant to cross the line with an overall finish in 7th place with a time of 17:25.69. Washington High School was 2nd with 49 points and not far behind in 3rd was Niceville High School with 52 points.
The middle school teams also deserve their fair share of the credit. The two mile race produced some great times. The girls top finisher was Maxine Simpson from Ruckel Middle School. She ran a time of 12:52.38. Ruckel had the top three finishers helping them take the 1st place team win with 20 points. Max Bruner Middle School was second with 50 points. Their top runner was April Polite, taking 4th with a time of 13:32.88. Lindsay Poole from Maclay Middle School helped give her team the 3rd place finish. She crossed the line7th in 13:53.75. The team had 85 points.
Worman Middle School took the team 1st place boys middle school win with 41 points. They were lead by 2nd place finisher Luke Baldwin who ran a time of 11:08.19. Ruckel Middle school was 2nd with 44 points with 7th place Johnathan Riggs (12:18.47) in lead for their team. Destin Middle School took 3rd place with 65 points with 3rd place finisher Charlie Shakleford (12:02.82) scoring for his team. The overall winner was Thomas Howell from Lewis Middle School, running a time of 10:54.56.