- Girls Virtual Meet (Based On District Times) l Boys Virtual Meet (Based On District Times)
- Girls Virtual Meet (Based On Season Bests) l Boys Virtual Meet (Based On Season Bests)
4A-1 is known as the "region of death" and expect this year to be no different. Held this Saturday at Lake Nona, the region has some of the state's top talent dueling it out once more before states. We take a look at both the girls and boys individual and team battles and see how our database thinks the meet will play out in our virtual meet feature. Also, remember to stay tuned to flrunners.com for on-site coverage, results, and a recap of all the action!
Winter Park sophomore Rafaella Gibbons hasn't lost a cross country race in Florida in her high school career so far and looks to continue that streak Saturday. She's beat most of the top runners in the field, including Lake Mary's Daniela Urzua and Fletcher's Kayley Delay, at FSU Pre-State, although don't expect them to let her take an easy win. Delay was only 12 seconds behind and Urzua 18 at Pre-State, and both can challenge if not beat her. West Orange's Megan Hannah, who ran a 18:24.60 to win the 4A-3 district meet, should be in the conversation as well. Lake Brantley's Sinclaire Johnson, last year's 4A state runner-up, hasn't had the best season thus far, but ran a season best of 19:18.00 for second behind Urzua in 4A-2. If she is getting close to old shape, expect her to try to hang with that pack. In order to get out as an individual, it'll take about a 19:30 effort- yes, this is a very competitive region.
Gibbon's Winter Park girls, the reigning 4A champs, should take the easy win as well after crushing to the 4A-4 win with 19 points and a 19:27 team average. West Orange are the likely runners-up with a 34 point win and 19:49 team average at 4A-3. Lake Brantley, who won 4A-2 with 52 points and a 20:22 average, Mandarin, who won 4A-1 with 31 points and a 20:25 average, Lake Mary, runner-ups in 4A-2 with 64 points and a 20:19 average and Dr. Phillips, runner-ups in 4A-4 with 57 points and a 20:25 average, are also strong contenders for a top 6 spot. Winter Springs, third in 4A-2 with 67 and a 20:36 average, and Olympia, runner-up in 4A-3 with 58 points and a 20:43 average, aren't out of the conversation especially if they have a good race, but getting out of this region will be tough for any team.
The Lyman duo of Joshua Jacques, last year's 4A state champ, and Jordan Armstrong, eighth at states, should lead the boy's race, with season bests of 15:17.00 and 15:32.57, respectively. The two cruised through the 4A-2 meet, both running 15:56.00 with Jacques taking the win. Ocoee's Cole Prium, who ran a 15:54.32 to win the 4A-3 meet, Robert E. Lee's Dominic Williams, who ran a 15:59.12 to win the 4A-1 meet, and Flager Palm Coast's Justin Pacifico, who was runner-up to Williams with a 16:08.54, should make up the top pack. Olympia's Tyson Occent (16:15.75 for second at 4A-3), Freedom's Timothy Doyle (16:35.50 for first at 4A-4) and Jean M. D' Haiti (16:43.40 for second at 4A-4) will also be near the front. Based on season bests, it'll take a 16:20 effort to qualify as an individual.
Like Winter Park's girls, the Lyman boys have a region and state title to defend. After a 44 point win and 16:40 team average at 4A-2, they should win handily. Look for 4A-3 champs Olympia (31 points, 16:57 average), 4A-2 runner-ups Winter Springs (62 points, 17:07 average) and 4A-1 champs Mandarin (44 points, 16:58 average) to stay in contention as well. The competition for the last spots will be tight, with six teams having a shot on any given day: Lake Mary (third in 4A-2 with 68 points, 17:10 average), Hagerty (fourth in 4A-2 with 91 points, 17:22 average), Freedom (4A-4 champs with 53 points, 17:23 average), Buchholz (4A-1 runner-ups with 71 points, 17:26 average), Winter Park (4A-4 runner-ups with 55 points, 17:28 average) and West Orange (4A-3 runner-ups with 62 points, 17:33 average).