Both Julie Northrup and Satellite High's Lief Thomason got a jump on the upcoming cross country season with impressive wins at the 8th Annual Space Coast Cross Country Jamboree on Saturday at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School. The preseason 5K (3.1 miles) race serves as a warm up event for high school runners, but is also open to all ages. Northrup pulled ahead of Cocoa Beach's Courtney Bailey after the mile mark and didn't look back on her way to a 23 second victory. Likewise Thomason broke away after the mile to hold off his teammate Jonathan Rohr.
Well more than 300 athletes competed in this year's race. Michelle Laekore won the ladies over 40 age group with a time of 21:21 and Satellite's coach Mike Medonca added to his team's impressive showing at the race by winning the mens over 40 race in 18:43.