Citrus Park Christian senior Trevor Foley wasted no time getting to the front of the pack at the 2017 North Port Invitational. Foley, who was competing as an individual, was hoping for a fast time after finishing runner-up to Flo 50 #7 Dustin Horter in Kentucky last weekend. Keeping consistent and proving his 15:20 at a fast Babe Zaharias Twilight Challenge and his 15:21.10 at the Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational was no fluke, he crossed the line Saturday in 15:21.50 breaking the 15:24.90 meet record set by Tyler Bennett in 2013. Bennett went onto become a Foot Locker National finalist that year, one of the main goals Foley would also like to achieve.
Foley will have the 2017 FLRunners.com Race of Champions next week followed by Pre-Stat and the state series, before his postseason plans commence. We talked to him afterward about the race, those goals, and the latest on recruiting.
Finishing behind Foley was Benjamin Hartvigsen of Sarasota who was the only other runner in the field to break sixteen minutes, with a time of 15:59.00. Rounding out the top five were Hugh Brittenham of Estero, Jonathan Reid of Lakewood Ranch, and Kyle Skinner of Fort Myers. The Steinbrenner boys team, one of the top contenders for the 4A team title, won with 56 points and a very impressive 16 second spread.
On the girl's side Riverview sophomore Alyssa Hendrix remained undefeated. Hendrix received an early push from Land O'Lakes Natalie Abernathy and Elayna Goll, but managed to widen her lead as the race went on to set a huge personal best of 18:03.60.
The time was more than thirty seconds better than her 18:33.70 from the FHSAA Cross Country Finals where she finished third in 2016. You can definitely see the confidence in the youngster as she gets ready to face off against her former teammate Bailey Hertenstein in the FLRunners.com Race Of Champions and ultimately in Tallahassee at the state meet.
Abernathy and Goll finished second and third with times of 18:27.40 and 18:56.50. Osceola sophomore Taylor Stone was fourth in 18:58.30. Much like the Steinbrenner boys, the girls were also victorious edging out Osceola 81-89 for the team title. Lakewood Ranch, Wharton, and Charlotte rounded out the top five.
