The Maclay Marauders boys cross country team finished runner-up at the 1A Cross Country Finals in 2012. It came as a suprise to most people who had them pegged no better than third. The team slipped past Trinity Prep by three points and placed four of their top five runners in the top twenty-three spots. Good news for the team is that Trinity Prep has since moved up to 2A leaving them in a battle for the trophy with Holy Trinity. According to the preseason rankings Maclay is favored by just three points to win the overall team title, but anything can happen between now and that November day.
Coach Droze's army returns six of the top seven runners from last year. The one loss is a big one in Travis Covert who was the team's top finisher (8th) at state last year and will be running at UNF. They are led by seniors in Connor Daughton, Jack Rutledge, and Alex Artecona. Daughton, who was named the 2013 captain will go neck and neck with Rutledge for the team's number one runner. Artecona, who spent last spring at a soccer academy, will return to the line up. Those three finished 19th, 21st, and 23rd at the state meet with less than five seconds of separation. Talk about a tight knit group and great example of pack running. Incoming freshman Jake Mazziota is coming off a strong track season round out the top group Sophomores Steven Simpkins and George Gwynn who have state meet experience along with fellow class of 2016 athlete Daniel Becker, a "cross country newbie", and 8th grader James McClure could also see time on the varsity level.
Coach Droze Says...
"The best candidates to fill out our final varsity spots at this point are three sophomores: Stephen Simpkins (a 400/800 kid who is running cross to help his long sprints), and relative newbies Daniel Becker and George Gwynn. They went to the Warrior Running Camp (Rome, GA), with us this year, so that’s a sign of commitment. We may also get a pleasant surprise from 8th grader James McClure. We don’t put pressure on them at that age, but we also don’t keep them off varsity if they show they are hungry for it, and James certainly is!"
"I would be satisfied if the boys get third place this year at state and defend their district/region titles."
Top Returner's Times (Previous Seasons)
Boys 5,000 Meter Run |
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16:31.00 | Rutledge, Jack | Foot Locker South Regional |
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16:41.00 | Daughton, James Connor | Foot Locker South Regional |
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16:50.46 | Artecona, Alex | FHSAA Cross Country State Finals |
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17:29.10 | Barkas, Cj | FHSAA Cross Country State Finals |
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17:36.44 | Gwynn, George | FHSAA 1A District 3 |
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Boys 3,200 Meter Run |
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9:56.35 | Rutledge, Jack | FSU Relays |
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10:04.88 | Daughton, James Connor | Chiles Capital City Track & Field Classic - 14th Annual |
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Boys 1,600 Meter Run |
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4:31.76 | Daughton, James Connor | FHSAA 1A Region 1 |
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4:38.54 | Rutledge, Jack | 9th Annual Jesse Forbes HS Invitational |
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5:05.24 | Mazziotta, Jake | Jesse Forbes Middle School Invitational |
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5:09.64 | Gwynn, George | Maclay Preseason Classic Triad Meet |
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