Last season was a special year for the Fort Walton Beach boys cross country team as they coasted through the postseason and finished as the 3A runner-up. The Vikings placed five of their top seven in the top forty and had a tremendous spread of less than twenty-five seconds.
The bad news is they lose three of those five. Coach Jeff Fields says his squad was happy with last season, but also took away a very clear picture of what it takes to be the best. Junior Trey LaNasa and senior Charlie Shackleford finished 31st and 34th at the Cross Country Finals and look to take Fort Walton Beach back to the promised land. They will be joined by senior Tyler Fabacher and junior Demery Benedict who have state meet experience. Also, in the mix for a varsity spot are seniors Frank Clemens and Nick Monson along with sophomore Trace McMullen, The latter two are guys Coach Fields believes are primed for big seasons.Fort Walton Beach doesn't have the top ten runner other teams might possess, but their strength lies in their ability to run as a pack. The team has been logging long miles this summer along with speed work. Coach Fields took both the guys and girls up to Brevard Distance Runners Camp in North Carolina to get in some hill work and build that team comraderie. The goal for their team is to get their 1-5 split around 15 seconds like it was in 2012. The team currently boasts a time of 48.36 seconds which trails only Belen Jesuit in class 3A. According to pre-season rankings Fort Walton Beach is third behind Belen Jesuit and Chiles. Chiles has a 166-180 lead based on 2012 times. Coach Gowan always has his teams ready and knows how to win, but I think this crop of Vikings won't lay down and quit. Look for them to take this down to the final runner.
Coach Fields says...
"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. This group will concede nothing and have renewed confidence that any goal is within their power to achieve it."
Top Returner's Times (Previous Season)
| Boys 5,000 Meter Run (XC) | ||||
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| 16:00.44 | Shackelford, Charles | FHSAA 3A District 1 |
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| 16:07.14 | LaNasa, Trey | FHSAA 3A District 1 |
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| 16:35.67 | Fabacher, Tyler | FHSAA 3A District 1 |
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| 16:42.64 | Guidry, Joe | Washington Wildcat Invitational |
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| 16:48.80 | McMullen, Trace | Panhandle Championship |
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| 16:49.59 | Benedict, Demery | FHSAA 3A Region 1 |
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| 16:55.00 | Monson, Nick | Panhandle Championship |
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Boys 3,200 Meter Run |
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| 9:31.41 | LaNasa, Trey | FSU Relays |
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| 9:32.71 | Shackelford, Charles | FSU Relays |
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Boys 1,600 Meter Run |
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| 4:28.67 | LaNasa, Trey | FHSAA 3A District 1 |
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| 4:34.37 | Shackelford, Charles | Andrews Invitational |
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| 4:47.08 | Benedict, Demery | Panhandle Open |
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