2012 was a first for the ladies of St. Thomas Aquinas. The Raiders took home the team title at the 4A Cross Country Finals by twenty-seven points over Plant High School. The top five placed in the top eighteen spots. All seven will return for 2013 and that is great news for their chances at a repeat. Coach Trish Butler says the girls came away confident from that meet and enthusiastic for this year.
Leading the charge will be sophomore Alexa Cruz, the 2012 runner-up as well as seniors Christina Kalis, Marina Braynon Moore, and juniors, Meg Schloss, and Brianna Rischar. Sophomore Lily Kloepfer (29th at state) and junior Michelle Fuentes round out the top seven.
If the 2013 track season has any indictation of how the team looks, then STA is in good shape. The 4x800 meter relay team with Cruz and Kalis kicked off the 4A state meet with a championship. Cruz and Kalis came back for the 1600 with the then freshman finishing in 6th and the senior in 14th. Cruz had one more event for the day though, the 3200, where she placed fifth with teammate Brianna Rischar in 11th. The distance squad helped a loaded Raiders track team to the team championship.
Winning is nothing new to St. Thomas athletics and the girls cross country team are hoping to continue something special. The team recently took 32 runners to Brevard Distance Camp and came back with a stronger bond, injury free, and ready to compete in 2013.The strength of this team lies in their 1-5 split of just 48 seconds. Depth is also an integral part to their success. Behind the top seven, all of whom have state meet experience, our Nicole Debrigard, Mackenzie Nesselt, and incoming freshman Alexandra Oswald who have all been making great strides over the summer and have been competing in the Westminster Summer Series. The Raiders are not only the clear favorite in 4A, with their top five predicted to place in the top ten, they are also one of the top teams statewide regardless of class according to our new composite rankings. Look for them to make another title run in 2013 and compete in postseason meets such as the Nike or Foot Locker.
Winning is nothing new to St. Thomas athletics and the girls cross country team are hoping to continue something special. The team recently took 32 runners to Brevard Distance Camp and came back with a stronger bond, injury free, and ready to compete in 2013.The strength of this team lies in their 1-5 split of just 48 seconds. Depth is also an integral part to their success. Behind the top seven, all of whom have state meet experience, our Nicole Debrigard, Mackenzie Nesselt, and incoming freshman Alexandra Oswald who have all been making great strides over the summer and have been competing in the Westminster Summer Series. The Raiders are not only the clear favorite in 4A, with their top five predicted to place in the top ten, they are also one of the top teams statewide regardless of class according to our new composite rankings. Look for them to make another title run in 2013 and compete in postseason meets such as the Nike or Foot Locker.
Coach Butler Says...
"We sat down and discussed what it would mean to win a second state title, The pressure is on, the girls are accepting that fact and that’s what we’re shooting for."
Top Returner's Times (Previous Seasons)
(Sophomore Alexa Cruz finished runner-up in 2012 and has the fastest returning times in both the 5k and 3200m run.)
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Girls 5,000 Meter Run (XC) |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 18:09.24 | Cruz, Alexa | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 18:27.29 | Kalis, Christina | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 18:47.23 | Schloss, Margaret | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 18:54.82 | Braynon-Moore, Marina | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 18:57.23 | Rischar, Brianna | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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Girls 3,200 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00.99 | Cruz, Alexa | Texas Relays |
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| 11:22.95 | Rischar, Brianna | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 11:45.94 | Schloss, Margaret | Fort Lauderdale City Championships |
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Girls 1,600 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 5:12.11 | Kalis, Christina | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 5:12.39 | Cruz, Alexa | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 5:26.96 | Rischar, Brianna | BCAA Championships |
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| 5:31.41 | Schloss, Margaret | Fort Lauderdale City Championships |
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| 5:57.18 | Kloepfer, Lily | Louie Bing Classic |
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