Bryan Sharkey (Gulliver)- With Biladeau out, this is the man to beat! Opened his season with a blazing 15:24 at the FIU/Lourdes Invite where he led from start to finish on a rather difficult course. He ran mid 16's at the Spanish River Invite just before noon in 90-degree weather after not training for 3 days. He's coming off a remarkable track season with scorching PR's of 1:56, 4:14 and 9:27. Being last year's runner-up in 15:20 must give him only one goal for this years race: TO WIN!
Jeremy Criscione (Interlachen)- He ran away from the field in his season opener at FSU, breaking 16:00 on a very challenging course. This run was just to get his legs ready for the long season ahead. The many storms have stripped several of his local meets away but you can expect that he's been working just as hard without them. Last year he peaked well for Footlocker South with a quick 15:38. His impressive 9:13 at the state track meet ranks him among the top 20 seniors in the nation. He had a tough summer of altitude training and should be a threat to anyone in the state. Expect him to push the pace.
Justin Harbor (Flagler Palm Coast)- Last year was a warm up for what this junior is set to do this year. He was able to run 15:45 both times he raced on the Ed Radice course last year. He stunned many with his 9:18 3200m at the Florida Milers Club meet but shocked even more with his 4:16 1600m dual with Coleman Hoover. He was able to earn himself a state medal in the spring when he held off all 4a competitors with a 9:31 3200m time. This year he has opened with a 15:46 win at Ridgeview. Expect him to hang with the leaders.
Coleman Hoover (Winter Park)- It's been a rough start for Coleman and the Park but you wont hear them whining about it. Storms have ripped through the Orlando area preventing this incredible team from practicing and competing. He kicked off his season with a perfectly paced 15:31 5k-time trial. At the Edgewater Invitational he ran 16:14 and was able to hold off Alvin Charles and Aaron Kindt. Last year he ran 15:34 both times he competed at Ed Radice and looks to improve on those. He's the defending state 4a cross country champ and 1600m-track champ. He'll be running for the win and nothing less.
Eduardo Arguello (Belen)- Many were surprised with his 15:18 FLRunners victory last year but this year he's only older and stronger. He's going to have a tougher time holding off Sharkey and Criscione but don't underestimate this champ. He placed fourth at last years 2a state meet in 15:42 and plans on evening the score with those who beat him.
Jeff Masterson (Mitchell)- He proved doubters he could win 'the big one' in May when he won the 3a 3200m state meet race in 9:20. At last years FlRunners he finished 6th with a time of 15:42. He has cracked the 15:30 barrier more than once yet remains very underrated throughout the state. His PR's on the track are 4:25 and 9:18. He should also be in contention for the win.
Chris Mullaney ( Bishop Kenny)- Last year he placed 5th at the FLRunners IV Meet with a time of 15:35. In the spring he was able to drop his 3200m time down to a quick 9:29. This year at the challenging FSU course he was able to open his season with a 16:23. He trailed Criscione a bit in that race but should be right up with the leaders this week. Bishop Kenny's individual record on this course (of 15:28 by Ryder Leary) may very well be in jeopardy.
Alvin Charles (Colonial)- In the past few weeks Alvin has emerged as one of the states best. He opened his season at Edgewater with a 16:18 2nd place finish, only 4 seconds behind Coleman Hoover. At the Raider Classic he was able to out kick Aaron Kindt and Alex Wills and finish with an impressive 15:49. In May he placed third at the 4a state 3200m-track race in a PR of 9:33. Expect a top 10 finish out of this stud.
Eric Mayes (Pensacola Washington)- Last year Eric peaked perfectly for states. He ran 15:48 and placed 7th among all the 3a competitors. In November at the Florida Milers Club meet he was able to kick in a 9:31 3200m. This year he ran 16:36 at the Wildcat Invite and finished behind teammate Mitchell Mason. Look for Eric and Mitchell to work together this weekend.
Steve Curley (Trinity Prep)- A year ago at the FLRunners meet Steve surprised many when he ran for10th place in a time 15:49. This year he opened his season with a win in the 1a-3a Edgewater meet. His time of 16:22 was only 8 seconds behind 4a winner Coleman Hoover. In track he was able to hit 4:23 and 9:34. Look for him to hang with the leaders.
Mitchell Mason (Pensacola Washington)- At states last year Mitchell was able to crack 16 minutes and place 11th in the stacked 3a division. In the spring he hit 9:32 for the 3200m. This year he's looking to make a name for himself and his team. He placed first at the Wildcat Invite in 16:20 beating out teammate Eric Mayes. Expect him and Eric to be in the lead pack.
Aaron Kindt (Boone)- This junior opened his season at Edgewater just behind Alvin Charles with a finishing time of 16:22. At the Raider Classic he just came short of Charles again, completing the course in 15:51. These kinds of times are nothing new to Aaron. In the spring he was able to blaze a 9:39 at the Metro Conference Championship while beating out many of Florida's top runners.
Michael Rodriguez (Ocala Vanguard)- At Ridgeview this senior was able to crack 16 and stay close to winner Justin Harbor. He has track PR's of 4:32 and 9:53. Don't be surprised if he improves a minute from last year's 16:45 performance on this course.
Johnathan Blocker (Chiles)- was able to run 16:29 on the challenging FSU course. On the track he hit times of 1:59 and 4:20. Ran close to 16 on this course last year and has a good shot at dipping under this year.
Steven Bell (Land O Lakes)- ran 15:48 on this course last year and 15:42 on the Footlocker South course. Has PR of 4:24 for the 1600m and 15:37 for the 5k.
Paul Santuoso (Belen)- peaked well for states last year by finishing in the top 10 for 2a and running a time of 16:01. Has broken 10 minutes for 3200m and has a strong team to practice with.
Alex Wills (Colonial)- broke 16 at the Raider Classic and hung on to Charles and Kindt most of the way. He's only a sophomore and cracked 16 in his second meet of the season. While a freshman he ran 4:31 and 9:58.
Donny Anguish (Winter Park)- holds PR's of 4:28, 9:42 and 15:57. Was second in the Winter Park time trial a few weeks ago. He broke the 16-minute barrier and beat out teammate Caleb Vogt.
Artist Jones (Boone)- known for his 800m speed and seems to always be improving. Ran 16 flat at the Raider Classic and will be right up with teammate Aaron Kindt. Also was able to run 1:56 back in the spring.
Caleb Vogt (Winter Park)- was just above 16 on the Winter Park time trial but holds a PR a bit under 16. In the spring he ran 9:42 for 3200m. If healthy, he easily place in the top 10.
Richie Bonilla (Cypress Bay)- has improved enormously throughout the past year. Opened his season with a 16:05 at the FIU/Lourdes Race. During track he hit times of 4:32 and 9:44.
Andrew Chuplis (Winter Park)- has made Winter Park a dominant force. Although sick, Andrew was able to run a 16:11 at the Winter Park time trial.
Justin Davis (Wofson)- ran 16:08 on this course last year and is looking to dip under 16. Last spring he ran 9:42 for 3200m. At Ridgeview he placed third in behind Harbor and Rodriguez.
Vance Berry (Episcopal)- ran mid 16's last year but in the spring made great strides when achieved PR's of 4:34 and 9:42.
Drew Horner (Edgewater)- has run 15:58 on this course. Has PR's of 4:24 and 9:47.
Trey Andrews (Astronaut)- also has improved dramatically. Covered the Raider Classic course in 16 flat and will attempt to crack that barrier.
Justin Taylor (St. Joseph Academy)- this track star holds PR's of 4:21 and 1:59. At the Ridgeview meet this underrated senior surprised many with a sub 16:20 performance.
John Roberts (Trinity Prep)- peaked well last year for Footlocker South when he ran 16:03. Has PR's of 4:23 and 9:53.