Top teams in the state traveled to the George Whitmire Classic this weekend at Lake Region HS to preview their future region course.
The girls race was off to a hot start with Alyson Churchill pushing the pace up front about 50 meters ahead of the field for the first mile with a pack consisting of Caroline Wells, Sinkenesh Parker, Keleigh Scallon, Alicia Ruiz, Emma Solis, and Elayna Bahr following right behind.
Chiles senior, Caitlin Wilkey, rounded out the turn onto the track for her final 350m of the race with a significant lead over the field, winning the race in a time of 18:16.
Wilkey had a similar race strategy as she did during her win at the Big Bend Invitational the week prior: go out conservative with the pack and make a move after the mile mark.
Winter Springs' sophomore Caroline Wells took second in season best of 18:27 with Circle Christian's Sinkenesh Parker third in a time of 18:36.01.
Caroline Wells, Winter Springs HS
Wilkey along with Churchill led the way for five other ladies to break the 19 minute barrier and contributed to Chiles' 32 point victory over the reigning 1A state champions, Circle Christian.
One thing to note, Plant standout, Mary Ellen Eudaly, looked to be previewing the course and leading a teammate during her run -- finishing 19th overall in a time of 20:17.
Geiger Wins Season Opener With Consistent Race Strategy
On the boys side, Ethan Geiger took the race out strong from the get go as he pushed the pace alone for the majority of the race.
This was Geiger's season opener and with a senior season full of big goals and a state title with in reach, he showed his hard work has been paying off.
As he entered the track for his final stretch he looked strong clicking off even splits, winning the meet in a time of 15:48.15.
Dominic Acosta and John McKenzie entered the finish line stretch side by side. Acosta edged McKenzie finishing second in a time of 16:22 to McKenzie's 16:24. Lake Region junior, Michael Collins, finished fourth overall to run a new PR of 16:36.
It was a battle of Hillsborough County for the boys team trophy with Newsome edging Robinson out of the team win by 8 points with Chiles and Plant coming in at third and fourth place.