XC Is Here! Week One Coverage Headquarters

Todd Grasley

The cross country regular season is FINALLY here. This page will serve as the live updates/coverage headquarters. Don't miss a minute of the action!

Meet Coverage/Highlights

Under The Lights/Twilight Kickoff

Natalie Varela and Tsion Yared renewed their rivalry to open up the season, but it was Varela who had the most powerful kick as she won with a time of 18:59.63. Yared came in second with a time of 19:00.01. When it came to the team championship, it was a resounding win for the Pine Crest ladies as they finished with 21 points.

On the boys side it was Deshay Fernandes from Christopher Columbus HS who took the win with a time of 16:51.93. Guillermo Rojas, the senior from Ferguson HS finished in second place, running 17:09.66. Christopher Columbus HS took the dub over Ferguson with a 33 point win.

Jim Ryun Invitational


Spikes & Spurs Classic


An impressive season opener for two distance studs took place at the Flagler County Fairgrounds.Joey Fitzpatrick, the senior from Ocala Vanguard, took the individual boys championship by racing to a 15:31.70, a new course record. Fitzpatrick knocked off Bolles junior Charles Hicks who finished second in a time of 15:36.20. But Hicks had the last laugh as the Bolles Bulldogs knocked off Ocala Vanguard in the team competition by a score of 59-68.

On the girls side it was Creekside sophomore, Claire Openshaw who edged Winter Park HS senior Rafaella Gibbons. Openshaw finished with a 18:47.90 and Gibbons closed in a 18:48.60. Gibbons led her team to a team championship as Winter Park had all five runners in the top thirty of this loaded meet. Bolles took the second spot as they finished three points behind Winter Park.    

Deland XC Invitational

On the girls side it was Natalie Bress of Melbourne who took the win in a time of 19:21.72. It was Bress's second win of this young season. She beat the second place finisher of Cadi Rowe by 30 seconds, as the junior from Lake Minneola finished second in a time of 19:51.10. It was the Satellite girls that won the team championship as they edged Lake Minneola HS by 4 points.

 On the boys side it was Bryce Bell of Lyman who raced to a 16:13.90 for the win. Aidan O'Gorman finished second as the junior from New Smyrna Beach HS raced to a 16:25.60. It was the Satellite boys that crushed the team competition as they scored 43 points, but Bell lead Lyman to a second place team finish as they scored 114 points.

Cougar XC Challenge

A muggy and humid Tallahassee morning was the setting for the Godby Cougar XC Challenge. It was Elizabeth Funderburk, the senior from Colquitt County HS who won the girls varsity 5k with a time of 18:28.70, as she lead from start to finish. Funderburk beat Chiles HS senior Ana Wallace, as Wallace lead the Lady T-Wolves.

On the boys side it was the dominance of Chiles HS that showed up, as the 2016 3A State Champ Michael Phillips was the individual champ as he raced to a 16:41.70, and he was followed by teammate Matthew Newland who ran 16:52.26. Overall the Chiles girls and boys came away with the team title as West Florida Tech finished second on the girls side and the Deerfield-Windsor boys finished second.  

Fleet Feet Invitational  

On the girls side it was Sinkenesh Parker, the freshman from Circle Christian School, who took the season opening win. Parker led her team to the team win as they scored 76 points and it was Spanish River HS who came in second place with 168 points.

On the boys side it was the talented Danny Ferro who took the win in a time of 17:12.19. But it was the second place finisher of Sebastian Roa of Belen Jesuit that led his team to the team championship. Mount Dora Christian Academy finished second place behind Belen Jesuit. 

Ridgeview Bob Hans Cross Country Invitational

Lemon Bay Invitational

Trinity Prep Invitational

More Coverage