St. Thomas Aquinas boys cross country team ended 2012 just shy of a podium spot, earning a third place finish. Over the course of the year, the team learned respect for their competitors, courage, and the true meaning of hard work. 
This year, Coach Trish Butler's squad is loaded with experience and returns all seven runners from last year's state meet. Alex Haugen, Matthew Butler, and Antony Cruz, are the top three seniors in the group. The trio placed 12th, 16th, and 21st at state with only 14 seconds separating them. Juniors Bryce Statham and Ian McCulloch have state meet experience and will be joined by Darian Adriano and Joey Maus who will be looking to fill out the top seven. A surprise could be Manny Velasquez who had his share of injuries in the past. Velasquez was injured during the track season but still manage to run 9:45 for 3200m and has a freshman personal best of 16:24 for 5k. Coach Butler expects great things from him and could foresee him in the varsity line up.
This year, Coach Trish Butler's squad is loaded with experience and returns all seven runners from last year's state meet. Alex Haugen, Matthew Butler, and Antony Cruz, are the top three seniors in the group. The trio placed 12th, 16th, and 21st at state with only 14 seconds separating them. Juniors Bryce Statham and Ian McCulloch have state meet experience and will be joined by Darian Adriano and Joey Maus who will be looking to fill out the top seven. A surprise could be Manny Velasquez who had his share of injuries in the past. Velasquez was injured during the track season but still manage to run 9:45 for 3200m and has a freshman personal best of 16:24 for 5k. Coach Butler expects great things from him and could foresee him in the varsity line up.
This summer the STA boys worked on their base with a gradual increase in mileage and a bunch of tempos. They took part in the FSU Seminole Trails Camp and were able to see what the school and surroundings had to offer. Running some of the best trails the state has to offer was just a taste of their training. Afterwards they went to the mountains of North Carolina and Brevard Distance Runners Camp to get in some altitude and hill work. The Raiders are the team to beat in 4A, and with a 1-5 split of an incredible 39.89 seconds. should pick up their first team championship in school history.
Coach Butler Says...
"When we sat down this summer, the team decided to shoot high. St Thomas Aquinas has never had a podium finish on the boys side. I think this is the year. It just depends on how much they commit to each other and how much they are willing to sacrifice."
Top Returner's Times (Previous Seasons)
|
Boys 5,000 Meter Run (5k) |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 16:03.11 | Haugen, Alexander | FHSAA Cross Country State Finals |
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| 16:07.00 | Butler, Matthew | Foot Locker South Regional |
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| 16:17.59 | Cruz, Antony | FHSAA Cross Country State Finals |
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| 16:38.24 | Darosa, Gabriel | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 16:43.00 | Statham, Bryce | FHSAA Cross Country State Finals |
|
|
Boys 3,200 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 9:45.34 | Haugen, Alexander | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 9:46.39 | Velasquez, Manuel | Florida Relays |
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| 9:49.55 | Cruz, Antony | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 10:07.79 | Butler, Matthew | Holy Trinity All-Star Showdown presented by DistancePreps.com |
|
|
Boys 1,600 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 4:22.50 | Butler, Matthew | FHSAA 4A Region 3 |
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| 4:31.38 | Velasquez, Manuel | BCAA Championships |
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| 4:37.66 | Cruz, Antony | 5th Annual Miramar Invitational |
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| 4:38.06 | Darosa, Gabriel | FHSAA 4A District 12 |
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| 4:39.26 | Statham, Bryce | BCAA Championships |
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