Chronicling History: The Lady Nason Line - Florida's Top Girls Prep 3200M/2 Milers

It was August of 1974 and the Class of '75 would become the first class of young women to be sanctioned and allowed to run, train & compete for their respective schools as athletes' in both Cross Country & Track & Field.  The Nation as a whole was in a running boom with running shoes becoming chic and at the Girls Prep level,  Florida was playing catch-up.

That first Class of '75 a limited number of schools would field teams in both sports, resulting in single class State meets in both sports.  The first three seasons of girls cross country would run races that were half the distance of their male counterparts, officially running 1.5 miles for the state meet.  In Track the first 2 seasons the girls were not allowed to run further than a mile. Thus the girls were being hindered  in much the same manner as the boys were subjected too in that '60's old school thought patterns that had prevented them from running a further distance competitively.  During the second seasons of both sports saw cross country expand to 2 classes while track would expand to 4. The girls were now off and running.

The next step came in the year 1977, first on the track. when the girls were  finally allowed to race at the 2 mile distance for a state title, just like their male counterparts.  Thus leveling  the  running field , so to say, in track between  girls and boys. Later that fall, Cross Country officially became a 2 mile state meet race.  Young women like Kathy Moore of Southwest (Miami), Sue Overby of McArthur (Hollywood), Rosemary Desloge of Leon (Tallahassee) and Betty Jo Springs of Bayshore (Bradenton) would be the first four women to set the standards high for those that would follow becoming the first of 78 that have crossed the Lady Nason Line, running under 11 minutes for 3200 meters.

Over the last season we added some great performances by several young women.

Alexa Cruz of St. Thomas Aquinas, SO., #30, joins the list and lead the way this past season running with a 10:43.79 during the season outstate at the Texas Relays in a strong field  and finished 10th. Alexa would break the barrier 3 more times this past season, Florida Relays, 10:49.73, taking 2nd, 4A Region 4, 10:56.80, taking first and then winning the 4A State Title with a 10:52.44.  Alexa  also was the 4A Cross Country Champion this past year.

Julia Montgomery of Pine Crest, SO., #31,  would improve and move up the list with a win running 10:44.06 at the Florida Relays which bettered her 10:53.78 performance at the FSU Relays earlier in the year. Both times topped her best from last year, 2013 ,10:55.37 at the FSU Relays. Julia would also run a 10:51.66 at state taking 2nd behind MacKenzie Wilson, but won the 2A 1600 title in 5:03.34 just ahead of MacKenzie. Julia also won the 2A Cross Country Title this past school year.

Emily Edwards of Fort Myers, SR., #36,  a returning member to the list would run a 10:50.49 for a 1st place finish at the FSU Relays, but was not able to better her run at the same meet the year before in 10:45.42. Emily did win the 3A State Cross Country Champion.  Emily has signed to attend the University of Alabama.

MacKenzie Wilson of Bolles, SO., #47, joined the list for the first time at the FSU Relays running a 10:51.43 for 3rd place, but later wins the 2A Title in 10:50.95, narrowly defeating Julia Montgomery who earlier in the day barely held off MacKenzie for the 2A 1600 Title.

Emma Rudman of Fort Walton Beach, SO., #48, Joined the list the past season at the FSU Relays in 10:50:96 finishing in 2nd place.  Emma would also break the barrier again at State wining the 3A Title in 10:55.52.

Grace Casagrande of Cardinal Mooney, SR., #52, was one of the big surprises this past season being a former 400/800 specialist  who moved up to tackle 1600 and 3200 races. In only her 4th 3200 race on track she runs a 10:51.69 finishing 4th at the FSU Relays.  Later she would capture the 1A State Title in 11:01.54.  Grace with attend St. Louis University.

Karen Xiang of Nease, SR., #65,  was another big surprise previously was a middle distance specialist in track running the 400/800/1600 races.  This season was her  first running a 3200 on track. She like Casagrande would also break in to the list on her 4th race ever at FSU Relays running 10:55.51 taking 6th place. Karen would go on and run nearly as fast at 3A State taking 2nd in 10:55.82. Karen is moving on to the University of Pennsylvania.

Morgan Lucey of Episcopal, JR., #75, joins the list in high fashion taking 3rd at the State 2A 3200 with a time of 10:59.06 which was 15+ seconds better than her previous best time!

Julie Wollrath of Holy Trinity, JR., #28, is the highest rank runner currently able to be on this list, however, last season decided to join Holy Trinity's Lacrosse team. Her return seems unlikely.

Sarah Candiano  of Evangelical Christian, JR., #78, who made the list in 2013 with a 10:59.55 was not able to better her 3200M time this past season but was able to win the 1A State 1600M title in 5:04.79.

 

The Standards:

·         11:00.00 at 3200 or 11:03.85 at 2 Miles or faster.

·         Runner must attend a Florida High School as Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior & Senior (9-12)

·         Post season runs for Seniors must occur before the end of July following Graduation.

·         3000 Meter conversions will not be considered for list, but will be footnoted.

·         All running seasons to be included, when applicable.

 

           The Structure:

·         Placement on list based on times converted from 2 Mile to 3200, when applicable.

·         All times will be expressed to the one hundredth, i.e. 11:00.00.

·         Times posted will be each runners best know run to date.

·         Two Mile time will be included to the right of the converted 3200 time posted.

·         The year the race was run is to the right of the posted time.

·         The runners high school, year of graduation and hometown are shown.

·         The meet in which the race & time were met, when known.

·         Which season in which the race was run:  Cross Country, Between Seasons, Track, Track Championship & Post Season.

·         When the runner is known to be in the Top Ten at Graduation, Placement is noted.

·         State Titles will be listed for each runner also additional Honors if known.

·         When "?" marks are use information is missing or unverified and should also be noted.

·         Runners that attended more than one high school will be noted.

 

        Rank     Name               3200/2 Mile            Year    High School    C/O    Hometown    Meet

1.Ashley Brasovan  10:13.45                   2007    Wellington    2009    Wellington     4A State Meet      Track season, Championship as a Soph. Ranked #1 at Graduation.  Ran the 3rd best Indoor 2 Mile at 10:31.38 on 200M track.  Titles: XC 4A '05, '06, '07 & '08; T 4A 3200 '06, '07 & '08.

2.Betty Jo Springs   10:13.62/10:17.20  1979    Bayshore       1979    Bradenton     St. Thomas Meet  Track season, Non-championship.  Ranked #1 at Graduation.  XC 3A '75, '76, '77 & '78; T 3A 880 '76, '77, '78 & '79; Mile '76, '77, '78 & '79; 2 Mile '77, '78 & '79. Undefeated as a Prep. Note that the 2 mile was not an event in '76.  Her 15 titles is the most of any runner boys or girls in Florida history.

3.Kathryn Fluehr     10:18.29                   2010    CSO Naples   2011    Naples            1A Region 3          Track season, Championship as a Jr.  Ranked #3 at graduation.   Ran the 6th best Indoor 2 mile 10:48.25 on a 307M track.  XC 1A '09; T 1600 '10; 3200, '10 & '11.  Twin sister to Erika Fluehr.

4.Jennifer Barringer  10:18.84                2003    Oviedo           2005     Oviedo      Florida's Milers ACM    Between seasons, mixed race, as a Jr. Ranked #2 at graduation.  XC 4A '02, '03 & '04; T 1600 '03, '04 & '05; 3200 '04 & '05.

5.Kelly Parrish          10:19.13/10:22.74 2005    Vanguard      2006     Ocala         Nike's Outdoor Nat.    Post Season elite meet in North Carolina as a Jr.  Ranked #3 at graduation.  Ran the 7th best Indoor 3200 in 10:47.06 on 200M track.  XC 3A '04 & '05; T 1600 '04 & '05; 3200 '04 & '05.

6.Kara Scanlin          10:23.65                   2002    Episcopal       2002    Jacksonville   Addis Out. Nat.     Post season elite meet in North Carolina. Ranked #2 at Graduation.  XC 1A  '01; T 1600 '01 & '02; 3200 '01 & '02.

7.Shelby Hayes        10:23.79/10:27.43  2010   Winter Park   2010    Winter Park   New Balance ON   Post season elite meet in North Carolina. Ranked #7 at Graduation.  XC 4A '09; T 1600 '09 & '10; 3200 '10.

8.Nicole Schappert   10:24.24/10:27.98 2004  Pope J.P. II     2005     Boca Raton   Arcadia Invit.   

Track season run out-state in California as a Jr.  Ranked #4 at Graduation.  XC 2A '03 & '04; T 1600 '03, '04 & '05; 3200 '03, '04 & '05.

9.Lily Williams         10:25.09/10:28.74   2012  Chiles              2012     Tallahassee   New Balance ON    Track season run out-state in North Carolina. Ranked #9 at Graduation. T 800 3A '12; T1600 '12; 3200 '10, '11 & '12.

10.Anne-Marie Blaney  10:25.38/10:29.03 2012  Belleview    2012     Belleview       New Balance ON   Track season run out-state in North Carolina. Ranked 10th at Graduation.

11.Caroline Annis      10:23.34                    1998    Plant             1998      Tampa           Western Conf. FD.   Track season, championship. Ranked #2 at graduation.  XC 5A '94, '95, '96 & '97; T 1600 '95 & '98;  3200 '96, '97 & '98.

12.Erika Fluehr           10:27.26/10:30.92  2011   CSO Naples   2011      Naples           Brooks PR Invit.   Track season indoor run out-state in Washington.  Ranked #10 at Graduation.  XC  1A  '10.  This ranks #1 all-time indoor run on a 307m track! Twin sister to Kathryn Flueher.

13.Kayla Hale              10:27.63/10:31.29  2008  Holy Trinity A. 2009    Melbourne   Nike Indoor Nat.    Track season indoor run out-state in Maryland as a Jr. Ranked # 8 at Graduation. XC 1A '05, '06, '07 & '08; T 1600 '08 & '09; 3200 '07, '08 & '09. This ranks #2 all-time indoor 2 Mile run on 200M track.

14.Emilie Amaro         10:28.58                   2008  Cypress Bay    2008     Weston       Running-Zone.com AC  Post season elite meet in state.  Ran the 5th best Indoor 3200 10:43.79 on a 200M track.  Ranked #9 at Graduation.  T 1600 '07.

15.Carla Dolder           10:29.83/10:33.50  1981  Gainesville      1981    Gainesville    3A State Meet   

Track season, Championship.  Ranked #2 at Graduation.  T 3A Mile '81; 2 Mile '80 & '81.

16.Sharon Chiong       10:30.12/10:33.80  1982  Killian               1982    Miami            4A State Meet           Track season, Championship.  Ranked #3 at Graduation.  XC 4A '81; T Mile '82; 2 Mile '81 & '82.

17.Bona Jones             10:30.35                    2006  Estero              2006    Estero            Cougar Challenge     Track season, Non-championship.  Ranked #9 at Graduation.  XC 2A '05; T 3A 3200 '06.

18.Kacey  Smith           10:34.90                    2011  Estero              2012    Estero            FSU Relays                  Track season, Non-championship as a Jr..  XC 2A '10; T 3200 '11

19.Brittany Koziara    10:36.14                    2008  Boone              2009    Orlando       Running.Zone.com AC Post Season elite meet in state as a Jr. T 1600 '08.

20.Shelby Davidson   10:36.32/10:40.03   2012  Cocoa Beach  2012    Cocoa Beach  New Balance In. Nat Track season indoor run out-state in Maryland.  XC 2A '11; T 3200 '12. This Ranks #4 all-time Indoor run on 200M track.

21.Kathy Moore         10:38.80/10.42.80   1977  Southwest      1978     Miami              4A Region 4         Track season, Championship as a Jr.  Ranked #1 at Graduation.  XC 4A '76; T Mile '77; 2 Mile '77.

22.Stefanie Kurgatt    10:39.08                    2012  Maclay            2013    Tallahassee  UNF Spring Break Inv. Track season, Non-championship as a Jr.  T 800 '09, '10, '11, '12 & '13; 1600 '12 & '13, 2nd youngest to win a title in 8th grade.

23.Jennifer McGranahan  10:40.26/10:44.00 1997 Pensacola  1997   Pensacola                  ???? 

Season & Location yet to be determined.  Ranked #4 at Graduation.  T 6A 3200 '97. Twin sister to Ann McGranahan.

24.Bridget Blake         10:40.30                     2013  Dr. Phillips     2013    Orlando               FSU Relays          Track season, Non-championship.   XC 4A '10, '11 & '12;  T 800 '11 & '12; 1600 '11, '12 & '13; 3200 '11, '12 & '13.

25.Olivia Ortiz             10:40.64               2012  Lakewood Ranch 2013 Bradenton      FSU Relays           Track season, Non-championship as a Jr.   XC 3A '11.

26.Jana Stolting          10:41.54                    2010  Maclay            2010    Tallahassee        FSU Relays            Track season, Non-championship. 

27.   Nikita Shah            10:42.60                    2012 Wiregrass Ranch 2013 Wesley Chapel  FSU Relays          Track season, Non-championship as a Jr. 

28.   Julie Wollrath        10:42.81                   2012   Holy Trinity A  2015   Melbourne       Florida Relays      Track season, Non-championship as a Frosh.  Though technically Active! Julie did not compete in Track in 2014 opting to join Lacrosse.  XC 1A '11, '12 & '13; T 1600 '11; 3200 '12.

29.   Carly Thomas         10:43.54                   2012   Chiles             2012     Tallahassee       Florida Relays     Track season, Non-championship.   XC 3A '09.

30.   Alexa Cruz               10:43.79                   2014   St. Thomas Aquinas  2016 Miami        Texas Relays  Track season, Non-Championship Outstate as a Soph. Active!  XC 4A '13; T 4A 3200 '14.

31.   Julia Montgomery  10:44.06                  2014   Pine Crest         2016  Ft. Lauderdale  Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Soph.  Active!  XC 2A '12 & '13; T2A 3200 '13, 1600 '14.

32.   Kathleen (Kathi )Ward  10:44.54/10:48.30   1992  Lincoln     1993     Tallahassee       Golden South   Post Season elite meet in state as a Jr.  XC 4A '91 & '92; T 1600/3200 '91 & '92;

33.   Rachel Givens         10:44.66                    2013  Chiles             2013     Tallahassee       FSU Relays          Track season, Non-championship.  T 4A 3200, '13.

34.   Bryce Seymour        10:44.74                   2013   Hagerty         2013     Oviedo              Highlander Invit. Track season, Non-championship. 

35.   Koral Dorsett         10:45.34/10:49.10   1983  St. Pete Cath.  1983   St. Petersburg      3A State Meet Track season, Championship.  Ranked #4 at Graduation.  XC 3A '81 & '82; T 1600 '83; 3200 '82 & '83.

36.   Emily Edwards       10:45.42                     2013   Ft. Myers       2014     Ft. Myers               FSU Relays     Track season, Non-championship.    XC 3A '13; T 1600 '13.

37.   Rosemary Desloge  10:46.23/10:50.00 1977  Leon               1978     Tallahassee          3A State Meet T Cross country season, championship on course.  Ranked #2 at Graduation.

38.   Donna Combs         10:46.23/10:50.00   1984   Episcopal       1986     Jacksonville         2A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph.  Ranked #5 at Graduation. XC 2A '82 & '83, T 1600 '83 & '84; 3200 '82, '83 & '84.  Moved to Louisville, KY & attended Ballard HS 3A for Jr & Sr. seasons winning state titles in XC, 800, 1600 & 3200 both seasons. Note:   State champ in XC & 3200 as 8th grader.

39.   Cathlene Willy         10:46.23                    2002   Flanagan        2002    Pembroke Pines  4A State Meet Track season, Championship.  T 4A 3200 '02.

40.   Hillary White            10:46.27                    2000   Buchholz        2000    Gainesville            4A Region 1 Track season, Championship.  Eastside HS XC 4A '97 & '98; T 1600 '98; 3200 '98 & '99; Transferred to Buchholz  for Sr. year.  XC 4A '99; T 1600 '00; 3200 '00.

41.   Margaret Traylor       10:48.37                   2006   Episcopal       2008    Jacksonville     Mobil MoChamp. Track season, Non-championship run out-state in Alabama as a Soph.  T 2A 1600 '06; 3200 '06 & '07. Sister to Kathleen Traylor former 2A Cross Country State Champ  in 2007.

42.   Lisa Beck                    10:42.42/10:52.20   1980   Clearwater    1980    Clearwater           4A State Meet Track season, Championship. Ranked #5 at Graduation.  T 4A 880 '80; Mile '80; 2 Mile '80.

43.   Vannessa Valentine  10:48.88                   2012   Melbourne     2012    Melbourne           FSU Relays   Track season, Non-championship. 

44.   Sue Overby               10:49.21/10:53.00   1978   McArthur       1979    Miami                  4A State Meet Cross country season, championship on course.  Ranked #4 at graduation.  XC 4A '75 & '77; T 880 '78; Mile '78 & '79.

45.   Stephanie Schappert  10:49.46                 2010   Pope J.P. II    2011    Boca Raton         Warrior Invit.  Track season, Non-championship as a Jr.   XC 2A '08 & '09; T 800 '10 & '11; 1600 '10 & '11. Sister to Nicole Schappert.

46.   Jacy Kruzel                 10:50.22                     2005   Cooper City  2005    Cooper City         4A State Meet  Track season, Championship. 

47.MacKenzie Wilson     10:50.95                  2014    Bolles             2016    Jacksonville          2A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph.  Active!  T 2A 3200 '14.

48.   Emma Rudman         10:50.96            2014   Ft. Walton Beach    2016  Ft. Walton Beach     FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship as a Soph.  Active!  T 3A 3200 '14.

49.   Caroline Barlow        10:51.22                    2012   Gulf Coast     2014    Naples                  3A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph. 

50.   Kerry Allen                  10:51.56                    2003  St. Petersburg  2006  St. Petersburg    4A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Frosh.  T 4A '03.

51.   Kira Soderstrom         10:51.69                    2011  Winter Park   2011    Winter Park           FSU Relays  Track season, Non-championship. 

52.   Grace Casagrande      10:51.69                   2014   Cardinal Mooney   2014  Sarasota         FSU Relays  Track season, Non-championship.  T 1A 3200 '14.

53.   Devin McDermott      10:52.82                    2012  Lakewood Ranch 2012  Bradenton        FSU Relays  Track season, Non-championship. 

54.   Sharon Farrall             10:52.86/10:56.67   1986  Seminole        1986   Seminole              4A State Meet Track season, Championship.  Ranked #8 at Graduation.  T 4A 3200 '86.

55.   Emily Houston            10:53.00                 2007    Jenson Beach    2007    Jenson Beach    UoTampa DC  Track season, Non-championship.  XC 2A '06.

56.   Jessia Hellender          10:53.02                 2002    Cooper City       2002    Cooper City   Broward South Q Track season, Non-championship.  XC 4A '01.

57.   Julia Rodriguez             10:53.23                2013     Plant               2013     Tampa               Golden South Post Season elite meet in state.

58.   Carmen Gardner         10:53.76/10:57.57  1983  Spruce Creek  1983   Port Orange         4A State Meet Track season, Championship.  Ranked #7 at Graduation.  XC 4A '82; T 2 Mile '83.

59.   Antoinette Turner      10:53.79/10:57.60  1985  Ed White          1985   Jacksonville         4A State Meet Track season, Championship.  Ranked #8 at Graduation.  T 4A 3200 '85.

60.   Sarah Day                     10:53.89                   2012  West Shore      2012  Melbourne           2A State Meet Track season, Championship. 

61.   Stephanie Strasser      10:54.54/10:58.36  2010 Fernando Beach 2010 Fernando Beach  UoK HS Invit.  Track season, non-championship run outstate in Kentucky as a Sr.  This Ranks as the 8th best Indoor 2 Mile run on 291M track. T 2A  3200 '09.

62.   Rebecca Chandler       10:54.64                   2011  Bolles                 2011   Jacksonville         FSU Relays    Track season, Non-championship. 

63.   Katy Solis                      10:55.17                   2013  Estero                2013   Estero                   Florida Relays  Track season, Non-championship. 

64.   Taylor Tubbs                10:55.35                   2013  Sebring              2013   Sebring          Sebring  4Way #3  Track season, Non-championship. 

65.   Karen Xiang                 10:55.51                   2014   Nease                2014   Ponte Verde Beach  FSU Relays Track season, Non-championship. 

66.   Brigithe Moreno         10:56.09                    2006  Plant                  2008   Tampa                  UoTampa DC  Track season, Non-championship as a Soph.  XC 3A '06.

67.   Allison Wilson             10:56.13                    2012  Leesburg           2013   Leesburg              Florida Relays  Track season, Non-championship as a Jr. 

68.   Lourdes Brea               10:56.65                    2013  Our Lady of Lourdes 2014  Miami          FSU Relays   Track season, Non-championship as a Jr. 

69.   Mariana Lucena          10:56.74                    2009 Cypress Bay        2009   Weston               Florida Relays  Track season, Non-championship.  T 4A 3200 '09.

70.   Emily Ahrens               10:57.15                    2011  Vero Beach        2011  Vero Beach       Astronaut Invit. Track season, Non-championship. 

71.   Fallon Heffernan        10:57.47                    2004  Fletcher              2004  Jacksonville         4A State Meet Track season, Championship. 

72.   Michelle Jernigan       10:57.56/11:01.40  1987  Leon                    1989  Tallahassee        3A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph.  T 3A 2 Mile  '87 & '89.

73.   Juanita Segura            10:58.26/11:02.10   1984 Leto                     1984  Tampa                  4A State Meet Track season, Championship.  Ranked #9 at Graduation.  T 4A 2 Mile '84.

74.   Grace Thomas            10:58.83                    2011  Vero Beach        2011  Vero Beach          Florida Relays Track season, Non-championship. 

75.   Morgan Lucey             10:59.06                   2014  Episcopal            2015  Jacksonville         2A State Meet  Track season, Championship.  Active!

76.   Kara Newell                 10:59.17                   2001  Maclay                2002  Tallahassee  Capital City Classic  Track season, Non-championship as a Jr.  T A 1600 '01; 3200 '01.

77.   Olivia Fay                     10:59.25                    2010 Pope J.P. II         2010   Boca Raton          2A State Meet Track season, Championship.  T  2A 3200 '10.

78.   Sarah Candiano          10:59.55                    2013 Evangelical Christian 2015 Ft. Myers      1A State Meet Track season, Championship as a Soph.  Active! T 1A 3200 '13 & 1600 '14.