All-First Coast Cross Country: Runners had focus on the finish line

The odds of a high school athlete earning a college scholarship in his or her respective sport are small.

Mandarin's Mary Kate Ponder and Nease's Mac Reynolds beat those odds, just as they have hundreds of competitors this past season on the cross country paths of Northeast Florida.

The seniors each posted strong performances in their state meets to cap off memorable high school careers. Ponder finished 10th at the Class 4A meet, and Reynolds took sixth in the 3A race.

For their efforts, Ponder and Reynolds are the Times-Union's All-First Coast Girls and Boys Cross Country Runners of the Year.

What trait do both share? Dedication. Ask any opposing coach.

"Mary Kate is passionate about becoming a successful distance runner," Creekside coach Eric Frank said. "She's really grown as a runner from her freshman year. She's a fantastic young lady with a lot of drive."

Bartram Trail boys coach Paul Nowicki makes similar comments when discussing Reynolds.

"He's committed," Nowicki said. "There's no question about it. He has a passion about what he does. He's talented. With the right maturation, he can be a solid runner on the collegiate level."

Reynolds has yet to make his college choice. He's visiting Florida on Jan. 20.

"I think what resonates with me when I look back at my year are the miles I ran in the summer," Reynolds said. "I was logging 50 miles a week to get ready and build up a strong base before the season. Some weeks, I ran 60 miles. That was the highest, but I mostly hovered around 55."

That willpower jelled with Reynolds' ability to maintain a sharp focus regardless of what is happening around him in a race.

"His attitude never changes whether it's a workout or a race," Nease coach Mike Rivera said. "Even if he's leading the race comfortably, he doesn't back off. That mentality is really going to help him down the line. He's a Division I prospect for sure. He's one of the best runners in the state."

Reynolds showcased his potential by finishing second overall at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Senior All-Star Meet on Dec. 2 in Tallahassee. Reynolds ran a time of 15:49, just eight seconds off his time at the state meet in Dade City on Nov. 19.

Ponder also accomplished the same feat. She took second at the FACA meet, running a time of 18:39, 22 seconds faster than her pace at state.

Ponder's skills earned her a scholarship to Kentucky.

"What was integral for me this season was working on my injury-prevention training," Ponder said. "I did some different factors to boost my training for the next level of collegiate running."

While Ponder had enjoyed success in previous seasons - she was an All-First Coast first-team selection as a junior - her progression has been slower than some elite young runners. However, that's a good sign for Kentucky.

"She hasn't hit her prime yet," Mandarin coach Hope Treece said. "She had a gradual progression, but I think that helped her because she's always believed in herself. She has an insane work ethic and is extremely dedicated to working on her strength and form."

Hays Carlyon: (904) 359-4377

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2011 All-First Coast Cross Country Teams

BOYS

First Team

Name, School, Yr., Comment

Michael Barr, Bishop Kenny, Jr., Finished ninth overall with a time of 16:35 at Class 2A state meet.

Brandon Carver, Bartram Trail, Sr., Finished 27th at the state meet and was regional runner-up.

Jeremy Fairbanks, Bartram Trail, Jr., Finished 30th at state meet with a time of 16:25.

Adam Leo, Bartram Trail, Sr., Team's strongest runner at state (16:14) led Bears to runner-up finish in Class 3A.

Tyler Mowrey, Mandarin, Sr., Finished 11th at Class 4A state meet with time of 16:03.

Mac Reynolds, Nease, Sr., Time of 15:41.76 at state was ninth fastest in any classification.

Brexton Simonsen, Bartram Trail, Sr., Finished 36th at state and was Bartram's third-strongest runner on area's best team.

Second Team

Name, School, Yr.

Michael Aitken, Mandarin, Sr.

Dell Fonda, Bartram Trail, Jr.

Dillon Hodge, Menendez, Sr.

Kentre Patterson, Episcopal, Jr.

Lucas Shannon, Mandarin, Jr.

Cecil Vignutti, Bishop Kenny, Sr.

John Weaver, Mandarin, So.

Third Team

Name, School, Yr.

Steven Cox, Bartram Trail, Jr.

Matthew Hurst, Palatka, Sr.

Adam Lassley, Mandarin, Jr.

Matthew Morris, Bolles, Sr.

Zachary Perry, Bishop Kenny, Jr.

David Tampa, Creekside, Fr.

David Yarborough, Bishop Kenny, So.

Honorable mention

James Gehret, Bishop Snyder, Fr.; Michael Jones, Lee, Jr.; Alec Musseau, Bartram Trail, So.; Kevin Petow, Creekside, Sr.; Eric Tallbacka, Stanton, So.

GIRLS

First Team

Name, School, Yr., Comment

Kristen Barbour, Nease, Sr., Finished 24th at the Class 3A state meet with time of 19:24.

Christine Griggs, Episcopal, Sr., Took ninth place at Class 2A meet, running in 19:33.

Sarah Heisner, Creekside, Jr., Led Creekside to fourth-place finish at 3A meet with time of 19:09 (17th best).

Eden Meyer, Providence, So., Took 10th place at 1A meet with time of 19:17.

Mary Kate Ponder, Mandarin, Sr., Ran an area-best 18:18, also finished 1oth at Class 4A state meet.

Kaitlin Rodriguez, Creekside, Sr., Finished 21st at state meet with time of 19:17.

Danielle Van Lier, Providence, 8th, Best runner on the Class 1A state champions finished sixth at state meet (18:39).

Second Team

Name, School, Yr.

Liliana Arnold, Bolles, So.

Camille Jackson, Providence, Jr.

Shannon Morris, Creekside, Sr.

Lauren Rodriguez, Creekside, Sr.

Rachel Solomon, Stanton, Jr.

Mary Thyfault, Bishop Kenny, Jr.

Mackenzie Wilson, Episcopal, 8th

Third Team

Name, School, Yr.

Ashley Hechavarria, Bolles, Fr.

Macey Kaczorowski, Bishop Kenny, So.

Sarah James, Bolles, So.

Mackenzie Meisler, Bishop Kenny, Fr.

Alyssa Rodale, Nease, So.

Emily Stallings, Providence, So.

Jessica Van Cleave, Creekside, So.

Honorable mention

Barbara Lyerly, St. Johns Country Day, Fr.; Breck Peterson, Stanton, Fr.; Bridget Reid, Bishop Kenny, So.; Rachel Rice, Bolles, Sr.; Karen Xiang, Nease, So.