North Port Invitational Preview

The 2025 North Port Invitational has a large field with multiple state leaders, a defending champion, and an NXN-hopeful squad, all testing themselves on what has the reputation of being a fast course.  

The start is wide open, and the loop around the field allows the runners to spread out quickly.  There are a couple of 90-degree turns on the flat course that can disrupt momentum, but with a portion of the course paved through the parking lot, the course tends to balance itself out.  The finish is located on the football field in the stadium, offering a great view of the 140m, virtually straight finish. The only thing that may hamper fast times is that we have had a lot of rain, and portions of the course may have some muddy areas.

Girls' Individual Race Outlook

Course Record: Senior Eliana Black 17:15.50,  2022

On the girls' side, the individual race features the defending champion, senior Alyson Johnson of IMG Academy. Johnson was the #3-ranked girl in the state last season with a 17:23.00.  The Colorado commit won last year's race, running for Creekside, with a 17:31.60.  This will be her first race of the 2025 season.  

Johnson, however, will be challenged to defend her title in what may be one of the best girls' fields of the season.  Three girls come in with sub_18:00 times on the year.  Sophomore Madison Muller of Sarasota Riverview HS was the #5-ranked girl in the state last season with a 17:33.20 and is currently ranked #2 in the state with a 17:44.50. Senior Huntley Buckingham of the IMG Academy won their opener at the IMG XC Summit Challenge with a 17:52.96.  She is the #3-ranked girl in the state.  Senior Jazlyn Forbes of Oasis HS is the #5-ranked girl in the state with a 17:55.30.  Forbes has won three times this year and has been unchallenged thus far, setting new course records in her races.

Other Top 20 Ranked girls scheduled to run are:

8 18:22.32 Sophomore Sydney Johnson IMG Academy 

10 18:29.90 Junior Natalia Gaona-Zelaya Wiregrass Ranch HS 

13 18:33.56 Senior Danielle Graham IMG Academy 

17 18:42.20 Senior Aurora Bertelsen Del Solar IMG Academy 

18 18:42.70 Sophomore Katherine Eudaly Plant 

19 18:42.90 Senior Malia Hambrick North Port HS 

21 18:46.90 Junior Lydia Vincent Zephyrhills HS

23 18:47.46 Junio Katelin Wilcox East Lake HS 

29 18:58.90 Senior Noelle Tenaglia Sarasota Riverview HS 

32 19:01.00 Senior Sienna Audrey Community School of Naples 

34 19:06.24 Senior Atarah Robinson Venice HS 

38 19:09.90 Sophomore Madison Stubbs George Steinbrenner 

Girls' Team Race Outlook

The girls' team preview features the IMG Academy girls, the #1-ranked team in the state. They won their opener on their home course, scoring just 32 points. The team was led by Senior Huntley Buckingham, and in their first meet, the team's Average Time was 18:35.31.  In the team's opener, Alyson Johnson did not run and with their sites set on the NXN SE Region, this will be the first time we will see what they may be capable of.

The battle for the second and third spots should be between Sarasota Riverview (No. 12) and Plant (No. 19).

Boys' Individual Race Outlook

Course Record: Liam Jordan, Berkeley Prep 14:57.70, 2024

Eight boys come in with sub-16:00 times on the year, led by IMG Academy senior Matthew Dodds.  Dodds is the #3-ranked runner in the state at this time with a 15:08.82.  I  don't think the course record will be challenged, but based upon times run this season, Dodd's is the odds-on favorite to win.  

Dodd's, however, will have some company, with some other very experienced and talented runners.

Boys' Team Race Outlook

The IMG Academy boys are the #2-ranked team in the state in the early season. They won their opener, scoring 15 points. The team, led by Matthew Dodds, had an average time of 15:48.53 and a 1-5 split of 52.74 seconds. They should unchallenged in winning the boys' team title.  

Geneva Classical Academy (No. 9) should finish in the #2 spot with Newsome (No. 33) in the #3 spot.