Overbay-Monte Carlo Invitational Preview



Nearly two dozen teams and hundreds of athletes from around Central Florida will head to Central Winds Park in Winter Springs for the Overbay-Monte Carlo Invitational on Saturday. Todd Grasley will provide our on-site coverage sponsored by Track Shack. So stay tuned for race highlights, interviews, and much more!

Girls Individual Championship

Hagerty's Bryce Seymour started off her senior season posting back to back wins at the Astronaut Invitational (18:39) and Deland Invitational (18:49.80). This weekend she will face some tough local competition from her Hagerty teammates, as well as, the Dr. Phillip's duo of Bridget Blake and Amber Johnson. It will be interesting to see if Blake runs. The two-time 4A state champion ran at the Trinity Prep Invitational two weeks ago and won in a time of 19:36.00 way off her personal best of 17:26.00. Last week, she sat out the UF Mt. Dew Invitational which leads me to believe if she sat out that race, she will again be out and preparing for flrunners Invitational, Pre-State, and beyond. Her teammate senior Amber Johnson is coming off a great performance at the UF Mt. Dew Invitational where she finished second. Cypress Creek sophomore Kaley Schmick placed second last year at this meet behind Trinity Prep's Kelly Fahey. Schmick finsihed fifth at the Trinity Prep Invitational two weeks ago and looks to be in the mix with the top group as well. A surprise I like to finish in the top of the group is Lakeland Christian senior Mallory White. White didn't run at the Jim Ryun Invitational last week, but if she is healthy, I think she can stay close. She finished fifth in this race in 2011.

Girls Team Championship

The girls team battle will be all Hagerty. Seymour will lead the way with a top three finish and be followed by a pack of her Husky teammates. Kerstin Sosa who won the Mike Gibson Summertime Run along with Brenna Johnson, and Tiffany Gargiulo are projected to finish in the top ten. Behind them should be a close one between Lake Brantley and Lake Mary. Dr. Phillips looks like they will round out the top four.

Boys Individual Championship

Only two entrants in the boys varsity race have dipped under seventeen minutes in 2012. Oviedo senior Justin Schanze comes in with the fastest time of 16:25.70. Schanze is looking for his first win of the season after finishing second the past three races, the last two being losses two Keneth Pineiro of Deland. No Pineiro this weekend opens up the door for Schanze, but he will be tested by Titusville junior Xavier Walton. Walton is coming off the best race of his high school career, posting a new personal best time of 16:39.82 at the UF. Mt. Dew Invitational and placing 14th. Walton finished third behind Schanze the week before at the Astronaut Invitational, five seconds back. Senior Chase Morgan of Ocoee and senior Antonio Montalvo of St. Cloud have both run 17:07 this year and will be contenders for the third spot.

Boys Team Championship

On paper Oviedo looks to be the clear favorite. The Lions are looking for their first team win of the year after finishing second at the Deland Invitational. Timber Creek is second according to the virtual meet, but that number could be altered if freshman standout Brandon Marquez makes his debut. Marquez has been sitting out due to a slight injury, but has been there to support his teammates at every meet. I doubt he runs Saturday with bigger meets on the horizon. Three more Seminole County teams, Winter Springs, Lake Mary, and Hagerty round out the top five.


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