3. Jack Girard (Viera)
The Viera boys have been one of the state's best cross country teams this fall and might not have enjoyed as much success as they have done without the pleasant surprise and addition of freshman Jack Girard. At one point this cross country season, Girard was looking to be the state's very best and fastest freshman with back-to-back sizzling times of 16:32 at the Spanish River Invite and 16:29 at the New World Fall Spectacular.
Unfortunately, Girard suffered a hip flexor injury while playing soccer outside of running after those two breakthrough races and has slowed him down in his last two races at the FSU Pre-State (17:45) and Cape Coast Conference (17:39). The Viera squad has been a front runner for the state title all this fall and will need to nurse Girard back to full health to secure their scoring 5 for a state championship.