North Florida's Fastest 5 Boys
Charles Hicks (Sophomore, Bolles)
Sophomore Charles Hicks is starting off with a phenomenal season. Of the three races he's competed in thus far in the season Charles has finished first in two of the three. The Bolles sophomore has also run under 16 minutes for 5k in all three races so far. Charles continues to progress from running 15:44 at the start of the season at the Spikes and Spurs Classic where he finished 1st to running a PR of 15:33 at the 3rd Annual Florida Horse Park Invitational a few weeks ago.
Michael Phillips (Junior, Chiles)
Junior Michael Phillips ranks second in the north Florida area going into this week. Phillips is progressing nicely through the season and continues to run faster times each race. Running 16:43 for his season opener at the Cougar XC challenge Phillips finished in 1st. He then went on to run 15:58 for 3rd at the Bale-n-Trail and a few weeks ago at the Florida Horse Park Invitational Phillips ran a PR of 15:46 finishing in second. Be on the lookout for more PR's from Phillips as the season continues.
Matthew Clark (Senior, Creekside)
Matthew Clark is racing very well his senior season. The Florida Gators commit is ranked 3rd in the area, however Matthew looks to just be getting started with racing. This past weekend Matthew won the Alligator Lake Invitational in a time of 15:51 where both Clark and his Creekside teammate Nicholas Deal finished one and two. Clark is running faster earlier into the season as compared to last year. Matthew Clark finished 5th at the state meet in 2015 and looks to be in shape for a higher finish this year.
Nicholas Deal (Senior, Creekside)
Creekside has a strong senior duo between Nicholas Deal and Matthew Clark. Nicholas ran a PR of 15:58 at the Alligator Lakes Invite finishing in second right behind his teammate Matthew. In previous seasons Nicholas tended to run in the middle 16's to 17 minute range for 5k, but senior year looks to be the best year for Nicholas as he's already running a huge PR in the 3rd race of the season.
Calum McFetridge (Senior, Buchholz)
Senior Calum McFetridge rounds out the 5th spot this week. McFetridge ran under 16 minutes at Alligator Lakes competing against the Creekside duo of Matthew Clark and Nicholas Deal throughout the race. Calum finished in 15:59 for 3rd only a second behind Nicholas Deal. A 3rd place finisher at the State meet in 2015 and Foot Locker South Regional champion, McFetridge has had much success in the pat. As the season moves closer to the state meet expect to see more of McFetridge in the rankings.