The MileSplit US national portal today released its Footlocker South Power Rankings for girls, with the boys list released yesterday. Florida's Big Three were prominent on the list, being the only state with three in the top 12 (actually all three were in the top seven).
Emilie Amaro was ranked third on the list, the highest ranking Floridian. The only two girls ahead of her were Kathy Kroeger of Tennessee and Aurora Scott of Virginia--those two finished first and second in the nation last year at Footlocker Nationals. Coming off a great junior season, this speaks very highly of Amaro placing her ahead of Georgia powerhouse Emily Reese and our own Ashley Brasovan. Amaro qualified for Footlocker Nationals last year (13th place) and had a great track season with a 1600 championship over Brasovan.
Ashley Brasovan found herself in fifth place on the list. Some maybe perplexed by this placing, being that Brasovan is generally Florida's top girl and hasn't been beaten in Florida at 3200 meters and above in some time. However, Brasovan has to overcome her Footlocker jinx and perhaps the third time's a charm. She is coming off her best cross country and track season's ever (including 10:13 3200 and indoor 2 mile national title). So with some added big-race experience, hopefully this is her year. (Editor's note: And in my opinion Kroeger and Scott should be worried about Brasovan as a Footlocker Nationals championship threat)
Rounding out Florida's "Big Three" is Kayla Hale, who is listed in seventh on the list. Hale also had a superb season on the grass, indoors, and out. She qualified for Footlocker nationals last year and ran a 10:35 indoor. She placed 5th at Footlocker South last year, but with everyone returning and Brasovan an injury-free Emily Reese displacing her she'll start out in seventh.
Click here for the full list and article
On the boys side, meanwhile, Florida didn't have a top twelve spot, but placed two on the "watch list". Danny "Mango" Manco and Joseph Franklin were listed by national editor Scott Bush as ones to look out for--and for good reason.
Manco showed great toughness and goes into his senior season with a target on his back as the top returning Floridian at FLS and 4A state champion favorite. He should certainly improve on his 15:31 PR from last season. Good coaching doesn't hurt either (that's for you, Ryan haha).
Meanwhile, Franklin has shown his amazing speed on the track at 800 and 1600 but has yet to prove that he can match that and be national calibur in the cruz campo. But then again about 6 months ago some on the forum (including yours truly) said the same thing about whether he was a miler, which of course he took to heart and said "yes I AM" with his 4-lap performances this spring! So he will return for a senior year with a 15:45 PR and be out to prove that. Hard to bet against him!
Click here for the full boys list
Who else might crack the list? It's hard to tell, but it's a long season and we're bound to see some surprises. With Brigithe Moreno likely to be absent from the cross country roster this year, there is a big gap after the Big Three. Perhaps the Traylor sisters from Episcopal might breakthrough the 18-minute barrier or Nicole Carpio, wearing new colors, might become a contender.
The boys side is a little more wide open with a number of studs who could easily step it up a notch. Kyle Cooke, Sebastian Castillo, Eric Larsen, and Derek Wehunt come to mind. Only time will tell! Congrats to those who are ranked and good luck to those who are not!