It was a typical hot, humid day in the Northwest Florida Panhandle for the Pace Patriot Invitational. The morning started with heavy rain showers from Hurricane Harvey as it drove north through Texas and Louisiana, and temps in the upper 80s with a heat index approaching 100 as the races got under way.
The story of the meet was Niceville High School, who were a force to be reckoned with. Both the boys and girls varsity teams of Niceville, were able to grab 1st place with some impressive pack running, with seven girl and six boys in the top 15.
Niceville's top runners were Lillian Holtery (1st), Hannah Schneidewind (3rd), Ciara Coger (4th), Jayden Horne (5th), Erin Eubanks (8th), Clara Beth LaFollette (13th), and Hannah Farley (15th). On the Boys side were Jeremiah Dotter (2nd), Dane Dickerson (3rd), Gabe Bohler (4th), Jack Johnson (7th), Payton Watson (14th), and Andy Holtery (15th).
Fort Walton Beach High School placed 2nd overall for both boys and girls varsity teams also showing some pretty good pack running themselves, with 3 girls and 6 boys in the top 15.
Fort Walton Beach High School girls Kambry Smith (9th), Jensen Shonk (10th), and Kayla Seibert (14th). For the FWBHS boys, Sage Delfino (5th), William Tasillo (6th), Austin VanDyne (8th), Brandon Meza (11th), Parker Dewrell (12th), and Lucas Campbell (13th).
Cross Country in the Florida Panhandle is alive and thriving. This area has produced many HS/MS Champions over the past few years. I am looking forward for this years' season and what the Panhandle has to offer. Between the Boys and Girls Varsity Races there were a total of 5 Freshman in the top 10. Now that's something to get excited about.
More Coverage
- Pace Patriot Invitational Meet Page (Complete Results/Coverage)
- Pace Patriot Invitational Photo Albums By Chris Shonk