The Sarasota High School boys cross country team is coming off of a fourth place team finish at last year's 3A Cross Country Finals. The Sailors are going to have to work even harder in 2012 after graduating their number 2, 4, 6, and 7 runners. Leading the team is Zackery Summerall with a 5k time of 15:54. Zack placed 4th in the 3A Outdoor State Finals this year and also qualified for the 800m with a PR of 1:56. Adam Bradtmueller, a freshman last year, joined Zack in that state 1600m final and placed 13th. Summerall says the team looks strong 1-4.
“Our goals this year for our bigger meets are to defend our ten year county champion streak. As for the state series we are looking to win districts again and hopefully have Adam Bradtmueller and myself place first and second at that meet. For Regionals we are looking to win it and I'm hoping to defend my individual Regional title. Last year we finished fourth at states, but this year we are just shooting for the top ten. I feel we can do it because Coach Mendenhall pushes us really hard and its worked for us so far. We have a couple good new runners coming in looking to fill in our sixth and seventh spots including my brother, Mathew, and there is also Conner Shay and Jordan Gonzalez. This year I am looking to get 15:20's or below, which is my ultimate goal. I feel like it can happen due to Sarasota's great coaching staff."
The Sarasota boys are coming off a strong track season with their team's best ever distance medley and 4x800m team who placed fifth at the 3A Region 3 meet. Graduate Courtland Bernard led the team in the 3200m with a 9:31 and Zackery Summerall leading the 1600m run with a 4:22. Right behind them was freshman(now a sophomore) Adam Bradtmueller, who was third on their last year's cross country team with a 16:10 PR.
If the squad wants to place in the top ten the biggest key will be to plug the gap between the four and five runners. Their 1-4 split is 1:27, but 4-5 is 2:37.30. Belen Jesuit who has formed a dynasty, is the clear favorite in 3A.
If the squad wants to place in the top ten the biggest key will be to plug the gap between the four and five runners. Their 1-4 split is 1:27, but 4-5 is 2:37.30. Belen Jesuit who has formed a dynasty, is the clear favorite in 3A.
Top Returning Times
Boys 5k (Cross Country)
1)Zackery Summerall 15:54
2)Adam Bradtmueller 16:10
3)Brandon Drumm 16:41
4)Brian Kerry 17:11
Boys 1600m Run
1)Zackery Summerall 4:22
2)Adam Bradtmueller 4:27
3)Brandon Drumm 4:45
4)Brian Kerry 4:54
Boys 3200m Run
Boys 3200m Run
1)Adam Bradtmueller 10:00
2)Zackery Summerall 10:09
3)Brandon Drumm 10:22
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