Late start no problem for Creekside runner Cash Tampa

From cross country novice to king of Northeast Florida in four years.

Cash Tampa has traversed an unexpected path in his time at Creekside High School.

The Creekside senior outran the competition in 2014, claiming the title of Times-Union boys cross country athlete of the year.

Four years ago, though, it appeared that his sports future would be somewhere other than the rolling terrain of the 5-kilometer course.

Related: All-First Coast Boys Cross Country Team

A multi-sport athlete growing up, Tampa only began his cross country career at the start of his freshman season at Creekside after moving to St. Johns County from Utah.

"I started this to stay in shape for soccer, and I fell in love with it," he said.

Did he ever.

Leading a powerful and deep Creekside cross country squad, Tampa consistently posted the year's fastest times among local high school runners and helped the Knights to a school-best fourth-place team finish in the FHSAA Class 3A finals.

Creekside boys cross country coach Eric Frank said Tampa's development from racing rookie to seasoned star came through four years of dedication.

"He's a competitor," Frank said. "Every day, he wants to get better and works a little bit harder. He really fine-tuned his mental preparation, going into each race with a positive attitude."

It wasn't always easy. The season's start brought some setbacks, particularly against a strong Bartram Trail squad.

"It was a motivator," Tampa said. "I thought, OK, I've got to get together for my team."

The turning point of his season came Oct. 4, when he ran 15:42.50 against a field of elite national runners at the Great American Cross Country Festival in Cary, N.C. From then on, Tampa's times were tough to top. He won the District 4-3A championship ahead of a packed field Nov. 1 in Middleburg.

His time of 15:32.00, recorded at the Region 1-3A meet Nov. 8 in Tallahassee, was the best for any area runner in high school competition this year.

The senior is still exploring his college options, but he's planning to continue his running career at the next level. He also credits the work of his Knights teammates for helping him rise to the top.

"Running with them is an inspiration, to see that many guys working hard with me to reach a common goal," he said.

Frank said Tampa's efforts will leave an impression that endures long after his final race at Creekside.

"By getting up and working so hard, he shows the younger runners what it takes to be an elite runner in Jacksonville," he said. "A lot of the younger runners on the team look up to him as a leader by example. Even next year, the standards he's set will continue to inspire our program."