McKeathan Lake is one of the fastest cross country courses in the state, so the Red Mule 5K has been known to produce some pretty quick times. Andy Biladeau ran a 15:03 there back in 2002 as a sophomore, a time which he never approached again until his senior year. With that said even historically, the quality and quantity of the fast times at this year's Red Mule 5K is pretty remarkable.
As is tradition, many of the Tampa area schools make the trek two counties north to Brooksville and use this race as their preseason opener. It is a sort of time trial to see where they are at after their summer training--and possibly also a confidence booster with a new PR. Tampa Jesuit is one of those teams who most often make an appearance and this year boy did they show up!
The question was apparently finally answered for sure: Would Connor be wearing pads or waffles this fall? Connor answered by showing up the field at Red Mule with a 15:38 personal best. Not to be out done, his teammates sure made a statement as well. Jordan Schilit clocked a 15:47, Logan Trimble came through at 16:51, Mikey Gonzalez 16:57, Blake Lopez 17:33, and Connor Rivard at 17:35.
The Wharton girls also showed up big, showing that they will not be held back long after the graduation of their top two. They were lead by Alyssa Franks with a time of 20:24. The second high school girl was sophomore Alyssa Brandt of Land O Lakes with a time of 20:40.
Wharton's two through six looked like this: Shannon Meggs 20:40, Abby Ritter 20:48, Erin Bailey 20:54, Ashley Vassell 21:44, Brooke Foley 21:45, and Haley Gray 21:46.
Here are the other boys teams with their athletes under 18 minutes listed...
Land O Lakes Felix Soto 15:45 Matt Schwartz 16:47 Make Morken 17:07 Plant Trenor Wilkins 15:54 Ross Campbell 16:53 Bo Nalsen 17:15 Didier Barjon 17:40 Joe Daly 17:43 Mark Manion 17:43
Berkeley Prep Tyler Greathouse 16:56 Karl Stonesifer 17:40 Connor Livingston 17:51 Wharton John Grellner 16:26 Nick Swain 17:29 Aaron Taylor 17:53 Drew Moore 17:58 Crystal River Derik Hannigan 17:34 Brooksville Central Mason MacKenzie 17:30 Ridgewood Mason Chilmonczyk 17:31 Tyler Camacho 17:35 Lecanto Justin Sblano 17:38 Nature Coast Matt Lambert 17:!6 Hernando Joe Wright 17:09 David Worthington 17:48 Jesse Balogh 17:58