With hot temperatures all over the state, our south Florida region 4 teams are feeling the heat this week with weekday regional meets. These teams did not let the tough conditions phase them. In fact, we will see some new faces at the state championship meet this year!
FHSAA 1A Region 4
South Florida HEAT freshman, Cecily Anderton, continues her breakout season winning the 1A Region 4 title in a time of 20:31 with her teammate Paige Saville, following right behind in a time of 20:51.
Miami Country Day girls stole the show, winning the team title in a show-stopping 53 points over Divine Savior Academy's 111 points.
Here are the teams you will see at the state meet: Miami Country Day, Divine Savior Academy, Marathon, South Florida HEAT, St. Edwards School, St. John Paul Academy, Palmer Trinity School, and Benjamin School.
On the boys side, Jonathan Pitchford of Marathon, looked to win the individual regional title with ease, cruising to a 17:12 to win over Jupiter Christian senior, Patrick Young. South Florida HEAT's Jack Anderton did not compete in the regional meet, and with his team missing out on qualification this is a big loss to the 1A state individual competition.
The Pine School won the boys team title by a 20 point margin over Benjamin School's 128 point spread. Doctors Charter, Highlands Christian Academy, Palmer Trinity School, Marathon, John Carroll HS, and Miami Country Day will head to Tallahassee next week.
FHSAA 2A Region 4
Key West senior, Robert Pedroza, won the 2A Regional 4 individual title with a 16:54 performance -- a cruising time based off his performances all season. Andoni Mercado of Miami Sunset HS finished second in a time of 17:03 -- leading his team to a top three, state qualifying finish.
The King's Academy took the team title led by lone senior, Cameron Dunn. Saint Andrew's, Miami Sunset, Mater Lakes, Key West, Ransom Everglades, FAU Henderson, and Pine Crest will join them up in Tallahassee.
On the girls side, Eleanor Tymorek took the individual win over Pine Crest's Tsion Yared in a time of 18:00. Yared and Emily Faulhaber looked to cruise through with their 18:15 and 18:37 as they prepare for their team state title run next week.
Pine Crest won the team title in a dominating fashion with 51 points over St. Brendan's 97 with King's Academy finishing third led by eighth grader Avery Fronrath.
The Carrollton ladies had a historic run, qualifying for the state meet as a team for the first time since 2014 -- with Francesca Suarez leading the way with a PR of 19:55! Gulliver Prep, Cardinal Gibbons, Calvary Christian, and FAU Henderson will join these teams in Tallahassee next week -- the first time in school history for the FAU Henderson girls.
FHSAA 4A Region 4
Keep your eyes on Coral Reef junior, Krystal Rodriguez up in Tallahassee next week! She's taken over the Miami 4A scene and won her first regional cross country title. In fact, last season she ran a 21:36. This season she smoked that running a 19:28 to win over Braddock senior and FSU commit, Rebecca Bergnes.
Bergnes led the way along with Jordan Ford and Lisa Adjouadi to dominate the team competition with 24 points over Lourdes' 44. The Braddock ladies ran a team average of 19:57 and will look to prove themselves next weekend as one of the top teams in the state. St. Thomas Aquinas, Coral Reef, Doral, Ferguson, Miami Coral Park, and Fort Lauderdale all join them. Fort Lauderdale ladies for the first time in school history!
On the boys side, it was Fort Lauderdale's Michael Fiore defending his regional title in a time of 16:17 to win over Coral Gables' Colin Wilson. Aidan Breslin followed Fiore's lead to finish third in a time of 16:30.
It was Columbus packed a 4, 5, 9, 11, 15 punch to win the team title with 44 points over Fort Lauderdale's 92. Both teams appear to be in tip top shape as we head into state weekend. Doral, Braddock, St. Thomas, Coral Gables, Ferguson, and Cypress Bay will join them up in Tallahassee next week.