2012 was a great year for the ladies of Fort Walton Beach. The girls cross country team finished second behind Estero and are poised for another successful season in 2013. The Vikings lose number one runner Ivy Chastain who will be a freshman at the University of South Alabama, but return the remaning six starters.
Sophomore Emma Rudman, who finished 10th, one spot behind Chastain at the state meet, is the number one runner and leader of the squad. She will be joined by seniors Rhianna Moller(34th) and April Polite (48th), as well as junior Autumn White. Also competing for varsity sports are sophomores Brooke Crane, Lauren Hunter, and Brooklyn Hodges.Crane is coming off of a strong track season where she went 5:37.88 for 1,600 meters. Hunter was a very strong middle school cross country runner, but did not run her freshman season. Hodges was injured her freshman year and is running strong and healthy.
The ladies have been putting in the work this summer as well. Long summer miles at good pace along with some early, long speed work has been the norm. The team attended the Brevard Distance Runners Camp in North Carolina where they had the opportunity to run at altitude in the mountains, but also, build team unity. Estero has reigned supreme in three years the past couple of years and Coach Sommer always has a surprise or two up his sleeve. Rudman is one of the best in the state and with a strong supporting cast and 2-5 split of less than a minute, don't count out FWB.
Coach Fields Says...
"They have had a single focus andgoal that has driven them all those miles and will do the work to achieve that goal. They've been there now and gotten very close. They know that experience will help take them to their next goal. They want to take that next step up on the podium this year and are putting in the work to get there.We are very excited about the possibilities the new season brings and ready again to proudly represent the Panhandle, Okaloosa County, and Fort Walton Beach High School."
Top Returner's Times (Previous Season)
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Girls 5,000 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 18:42.68 | Rudman, Emma | FHSAA Cross Country State Finals |
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| 19:21.36 | White, Autumn | FHSAA 3A Region 1 |
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| 19:55.83 | Polite, April | FHSAA 3A District 1 |
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| 20:00.30 | Moller, Rhianna | flrunners.com Invitational 13 |
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| 20:20.40 | Hodges, Brookelyn | flrunners.com Invitational 13 |
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| 20:49.43 | Chastain, Anna-Laura | FHSAA 3A District 1 |
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