Chiles, Leon dominate year, All-Big Bend teams

During summer workouts, the cross country season was pegged as an intense duel between Chiles' and Leon's boys programs, not only for local bragging rights but for the state's overall top honor.

Nothing held more true from start to finish. Chiles beat Leon at the pre-state meet by two points, the district meet by five points, and for the FHSAA Class 3A state championship by 13 points. Leon captured the regional title by 18 points and became the 3A runner-up behind Lions senior Sukhi Khosla's second consecutive individual state title.

No others teams or runners were close, not in the city or across the state. With the top 17 times in the Big Bend belonging to a Chiles or Leon runner, both programs are being recognized as the best.

Chiles and Leon's top five, largely interchangeable runners comprise the entire 2014 All-Big Bend boys cross country first team, while the Timberwolves— which had 12 runners run under 17:00 for 5k— placed five on the second team and Leon parked two.

Khosla has claimed the 2014 All-Big Bend Runner of the Year for the third straight season, while Chiles coach Scott Gowan has been named the 2014 All-Big Bend Coach of the Year for boys cross country after the Timberwolves brought home the program's fourth boys state title.

"We had a great year and a lot to be thankful for," Gowan said.

"Leon pushed us, we pushed them, and it made each better. We're a very deep team. We had 18 runners under 18 minutes. This is the best team I've ever had, a hair better than our 2003 team that won it. Week in and week out, our boys showed up and delivered."

Chiles won every regular season meet it participated in, led by first teamer Avery Bartlett, who captured third at state. The Timberwolves put three in the state's top 10, while Leon had two— Khosla in a winning 15:01 and fourth-place Hunter Scott.

"I'm pretty satisfied," Khosla said.

"It's been a good career, winning state twice, broke 15:00 five times. The day of state, senior year, we had talked about it so much that it felt weird when it was over. Now that it's done, it's been a long four years. It actually feels good to be done with cross country because I certainly like track better."

Chiles junior Emma Tucker is the 2014 All-Big Bend Runner of the Year for girls cross country after improving by nearly a minute from start to finish of her year.

She won a district title, then finished in an area-best 18:44, which came at her first 3A state meet, blowing away her seeding to notch a third-place finish.

"It was cool," Tucker said.

"I've been running since sixth grade, I'm a junior now, and to place high at state has been a big goal. I'm happy to get it. I'm definitely excited for next year."

Tucker paced a Timberwolves girls team that won district, placed third at regionals and came in fifth at state— a marked improvement since Chiles missed the state meet as a team last season.

"She got better every week," Gowan said.

"She's a great girl, works hard every day, really loves to compete, very coachable, easy to coach. She comes to practice trying to get better. I was thrilled for her with third at the state meet, and I think her best running is in front of her. She's got good foot speed and everyone's going to see that in track. This sets her up for a really good outdoor track season and then next year in cross country."

Maclay coach Gary Droze has been named the 2014 All-Big Bend Coach of the Year for girls cross country.

The Marauders girls captured district and regional titles behind first-team sophomore Caroline Willis, then went on to a fourth-place finish at state, just one point from being in third. This despite a roster comprised of two sophomores, two freshmen, two juniors, and a sixth grader.

"I'm happy with them and the one overall assessment I have is there's a difference between being on a running team and being a runner," Droze said.

"Being a runner means it hurts to skip a run. This year, I've had more girls be upset if they missed a run rather than did a run. That's what turned the corner for them. They're now buying into it. It's not torture to run. My job is halfway done now."

2014 All-Big Bend Cross Country

Girls

Runner of the Year: Emma Tucker, Chiles. Coach of the Year: Gary Droze, Maclay

First Team: Emma Tucker, Jr., Chiles; Alexandra Wallace, Jr., Chiles; Caroline Willis, So., Maclay; Ana Wallace, Fr., Chiles; Haleigh Martin, So., Wakulla; Juliana Krueger, Jr., Chiles; Adrianna Dogan, So., Leon; Molly McCann, So., Maclay

Second Team: Lindsay James, sixth-grade., Maclay; Kenzie Mazziotta, eighth-grade., Maclay; Zoe Sheldon, So., Leon; Meagan Giddens, Jr., Taylor County; Grace Lockhart, Jr., Leon; Alexis McElroy, So., Lincoln ; Jianni McDole, So., Chiles; Erin Phelps, Fr., Chiles

Honorable Mention: Gray Kinch (Leon), Jainey Coates (Maclay), Ann Elise Desotell (Maclay), Julia Rose Travis (John Paul II), Emma Travis (John Paul II), Asta Hemenway (Lincoln), Connie Lewis (Wakulla), Blessing Nkembo (Rickards), Katie Whitworth (Maclay), Lydia Wiedeman (Wakulla), Summer Williams (Florida High), Camryn Grant (Aucilla), Carina Richardson (Rickards), Arianna Neely (Lincoln)

Boys

Runner of the Year: Sukhi Khosla, Leon. Coach of the Year: Scott Gowan, Chiles

First Team: Sukhi Khosla, Sr., Leon; Avery Bartlett, Sr., Chiles; Hunter Scott, Sr., Leon; Allan Hernandez, Sr., Chiles; Adam Wallenfelsz, Jr., Leon; Tyson Murray, Sr., Chiles; Kyle Buchholz, Sr., Leon; William Luca, Sr., Leon; Jared Grigas, Sr., Chiles; Austin Dodson, Jr., Chiles

Second Team: Maxx Marshall, Sr., Leon; Blaine Thomas, Sr., Chiles; Matthew Cashin, So., Leon; Alexander Gruenewald (Chiles); Davey McGregor (Chiles); Jackson McKnight (Chiles); Austin Runtschke (Chiles); Clayburn Milford, eighth-grade., Maclay; George Gwynn, Jr., Maclay, Bryce Cole, So., Wakulla; Gatlin Nennstiel, So., Aucilla Christian; Jake Mazziotta, So., Maclay; Solomon Stevens, Jr., Rickards; Abraham Grandison, Sr., Rickards

Honorable Mention: Danny Moore (Leon), Jacob Kemp (Chiles), Thomas Howell (Blountstown), Aric Hawkins (Chiles), Matt Newland (Chiles), Evan Garrison (Rickards), Chase Savary (NFC), Lane Williams (Wakulla), James McClure (Maclay), Donovan Duchene (Lincoln), Dennis Majano (Lincoln), Daniel Sweeney (Maclay),