Last year's girls' ROC winner Annabella Tomasic of Lake Highland Prep charges through the first series of hills on her way to her win in 17:42.72. Her time is the 2nd fastest time on the Holloway Park course for a high school girl. IMG Academy's Carly McNatt has the fastest time with a 17:19.76 run in 2019.
We are two weeks out and registration is still open for the 25th FLRUNNERS.COM INVITATIONAL. The final selections and invitations will be sent after registration closes, but here are a few of the top, pre-race of Champions (ROC) selections, boy's and girl's teams entered for the meet on Oct. 4th at Holloway Park. The team races are going to prove to be some of the most competitive races we have seen all year in Florida on a testing course.
Meet Information | Registration (Still Open!)
ROC Boy's Teams - First 5 (6) In
Naples is the #3 ranked boys team in Florida at this time. Led by Jr. Reece Lolly (15:45.80), they have an Avg. Time of 16:10.08 and a 1-5 Split of 1:00.10.
Cambridge HS Milton, GA They are the #6 ranked team in Georgia with an Avg. time of 16:15.78. They may, however, opt for the Jason Byrne Invitational due to their travel time. They are one of the top teams in either race and will challenge for the win. They have two sub-16 runners Sr. Yan Berezitsky (15:51.60) and Sr. Gray Peterson (15:52.18). Their Avg. time is 16:15.78 and they have a tight 105 group with only a 44.55 split.
Hagerty is led by Sr. Jacob Leon. They are currently ranked #8 in Florida. Average Time: 16:29.70 1-5 Split: 54.20
Osceola HS (Seminole) Sr. John Cappelli (17:17.10) and So. Spencer Mehltretter (16:23.00). Average Time: 16:55.06 1-5 Split: 1:32.30
Catawba Ridge HS Ft. Mill, SC They are the #17 ranked team in SC and have a less than 1:00m 1-5 spread. Sr. Jordan Kent (16:26.38) leads the team.
ROC Girl's Teams - First 5 In
Jr. Rhyen Foley of East Ridge
The first 3 teams into the ROC at the FLRUNNERS.COM INVITATIONAL are all top 20 ranked teams in Florida. The East Ridge girls are ranked #10. Led by Jr. Rhyen Foley, the girls are ranked #10 at this time in Florida. They are coming off a win at the West Orange Invitational where they scored just 49 points, going 2+4+5+17+21 (22+33). They were 5th last year in 4A at State and are ranked #6 in 4A.
Dillard is the defending 3A State championship team and is 18th ranked in the state. They were impressive at the state meet with just 46 points going 1+3+5+11+26 (32+56).
Last weekend at Spanish River they were 2nd to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy (Miami) by two points in the 3A/4A race, scoring 93 to Lourdes 91. They went 1+2+5+33+52 (89+96). They are led by 8th grader, Shynah Collins who won the 3A/4A race, 11th grader, Jr. Abigail Richards who was 2nd and So. Peyton Williams who was 5th. If their #4 or 5 runners step up just a little they will certainly challenge East Ridge for the top spot on the podium.
Lake Minneola is the No. 3 seeded team at this time. They are the 19th-ranked team in the state. Jr. Ashlyn Leviner is the team leader with a 19:13.60 this year. The girls have an average time of 20:37.68 and a 1-5 Split of 2:04.60.
Right behind Lake Minneola is Tavares. The girls, led by an experienced So. Cheyenne Thomas, who has run 19:30.60, has an avg. time of 20:39.92 and a 1-5 Split of 2:37.80.