South Florida's Fastest 5 Girls
Alexandra Del Re (Freshman, Jupiter)
We're back this week with another top 5 performances in south Florida and we have a new leader. This week, Alexandra Del Re, from Jupiter high school becomes the top performer with a time of 18:11.05. She ran that time at the 34th annual, Spanish River cross country invite, where she placed first in the 3A/4A race. Throughout the race, Del Re was in the mix with several runners and was even trailing the leader at halfway. She ended up making a move to pass two runners, which one of them went with her but still fell second to Del Re.
Del Re is a top runner to watch out for because she has proven herself in middle school to be a great runner. Earlier this year, Del Re won both the 3000m middle school state championship race as well as the Junior Olympic championship in track. Her personal best for the 3000m is a 9:54.76 which was run at the Junior Olympic meet but she also ran a 10:04.16 and broke the middle school state record. Clearly Del Re is a talented runner and most likely will be back on this list for the season.
Valerie Lastra (Freshman, Mater Academy)
Next up for this week's top 5 performances for south Florida is, Valerie Lastra, from Mater Academy. Lastra was right behind Jupiter's, Alexandra Del Re, at the 34th annual, Spanish River cross country invite. She came in second at that meet and ran a time of 18:15.94 which landed her second on this list. Running that time set a new personal best for Lastra and was a 34 second drop from her last race.
Natalie Varela (Freshman, Gulliver Prep)
The third top performer for this week is, Natalie Varela, from Gulliver Prep. This week Varela added to her win streak by getting first place at the STU Bobcat Invite. She ran a time of 18:38.21 and is now on her third straight win for the season. Last week Varela set a personal best of 18:29.16 at the King of The Hill meet. She's not only talented in cross country but also track because last year Varela won the 800m state championship.
Jinah Mickens-Malik (8th Grade, Mater Academy)
The fourth fastest performance this week comes from a familiar face. That runner is, Jinah Mickens-Malik, from Mater Academy. Mickens-Malik came in third behind her teammate at the 34th annual, Spanish River cross country invite. There she crossed the line at 19:07.50 and set a new personal best. Mickens-Malik is only an eighth grader yet she has been on this list several times already this season.
Rylee Pustilnik (Freshman, Spanish River)
For this week's south Florida top five performances, Rylee Pustilnik, from Spanish River takes the fifth spot. Pustilnik has been running great this year and has made this list three times already. She was even the top performer two weeks ago. Rylee made the list this week by running a time of 19:13.56 and placing fourth at the 34th annual, Spanish River cross country invite.