Emilie Amaro, the senior from Cypress Bay, headed westward this weekend to compete in the famed Arcadia Invitational's invitational 3200 meter. The two race favorites, Jordan Hasay and Christine Babcock (had not Florida's Ashley Brasovan dropped out it would have been three favorites), surged to the front from the gun and gapped the pack within 600 meters. Amaro ran a smart race and did not fall into the temptation of trying to match the blistering pace the two leaders set (the leaders went through four laps in 4:57!).
So Amaro set the tone for the chaser, leading the pack for most of the race. She took that determined, self-set pace and took fifth place in the prestigious meet with a new state-leading time of 10:31.18. It was Emilie's second best time ever in the event, next to her 10:28.72 at Nike Outdoors last year. Great job to Emilie! Nice way to end the regular season!
Hasay and Babcock, by the way, battled it out up front for all 8 blistering laps. It culminated with a kickfest the last lap with Hasay finally pulling away slightly in the last 100 meters: 10:03.07 to 10:04.03.
The only other Florida competitor at the meet, Antonio Brandon of Wellington competed in the 800 meter invitational division. He finished in 15th place with a time of 1:56.34--the fifth fastest from a Floridian this year. Congrats, Antonio!