Full Meet Results and Coverage...
Photo Album by Rese Ammons (over 2000 photos)
A very chilly morning had runners arriving wrapped in blankets with ski caps and gloves on. You would have thought it was the middle of winter instead of a mid-October day. But as the sun came out, it warmed up just enough to make perfect conditions for a run.
The Panhandle Championship course is not spectator friendly. The starting line is at the goal line of Marianna High School's football field. Runners funnel across 100 yards through a gate and off they go. If you squint off in the distance, at least a good half mile, you can just catch a glimpse of the runners as they head down the road disappearing into the woods. The overhead announcer kept spectators updated when runners reached the one mile and two mile marks, but no mention of who was in the lead.
Then the excitement begins. Moms, dads, coaches and teammates who have spent the past fifteen plus minutes waiting in anticipation of where their favorite runners will place can now see them come back into the field heading toward the finish. And the boys varsity race was worth the wait.
The first runner to round the corner toward the chute was Patrick Swain from Maclay School. But he wasn't the only one. The top ten runners were all fighting for position as they kicked it in for the last 400. Patrick finished nearly 10 seconds ahead of everyone, smiling as he ran through the chute in 15:37.
The expression on the faces of the other runners was more of a straining determination or they were in pain. And still others seemed to look as if they just went for a light jog and this race was hardly any effort at all.
There were only three seconds between second and third as two Niceville runners fought each other for position. Freshman, Thomas Howell finished in 15:49 with Jason Riggs right on his heels running in 15:52. Fourth place finisher Taylor Buzzard from Chiles was also under 16 minutes with a time of 15:57.
The top 8 runners earned an All-Panhandle Team title and were all under 16:15. Taking the overall team win was Niceville with 59 points. Fort Walton Beach was second with 75 points and taking the third place trophy was Lincoln High School with 115.
Then on to Varsity Girls. The girls funneled through the gate and disappeared. At the one mile mark the announcer updated everyone. "Runners have reached the one mile mark and Lilly Williams from Chiles is up front." Lilly Williams is well-known for leading a race to the finish and this race was no different. She entered the field and crossed the finish 13 second ahead of second place in 17:46.
This was not a PR for the Chiles Junior. "My goal is just to get faster," she commented of her time. Lilly felt this was a fast course but that some areas were sandy and dry.
The real thrill in the girls race was watching the fight for second and third. Stefanie Kurgatt, a sophomore from Maclay, was in second at the final turn toward the finish. Carly Thomas, also a Junior from Chiles, was right on her heels. It looked for a moment as if Carly was going to pass Stefanie, but Stefanie gave it one more push surging across the finish only 1.86 seconds ahead of Carly. Stefanie's time was 17:59.96 and Carly ran 18:01.06.
The top eight runners comprising the All-Panhandle Team were all under 19:08. Chiles took home the first place trophy with 45 points. Bolles was in third with 58 and Niceville in third with 73 points.
This meet also served as a state qualifier for area middle school teams. It was a mixed open race with boys and girls running together. The top 10 runners were given ribbons and the 1st place teams received trophies.
Destin Middle School eighth grader Trey LaNasa had a repeat performance after his county championship win two weeks ago. "I liked the course, it was fast." Trey beat his county time of 11:54 with a new PR of 11:30 taking the boy's win. Trey has a goal for state to get under 11:16.
Eighth grader John Metzler from Jackson County Track Club finished eight seconds behind Trey with a second place finish time of 11:38. Max Bruner Middle School with four runners in the top 10 took home the first place trophy.
Michaela Ashley with the Panama City Beach running club was first for the girls with a time of 12:22. Okaloosa County Champion Emma Rudman from Liza Jackson Preparatory School finished in second for the girls with a time of 12:37. Her team, which was also first at County, took away another first place trophy.
The JV/Open race was no less fun to watch. The top runners were not however affiliated with any schools. Some appeared to have graduate years ago. In fact, three of the top four were listed as being with a group called More Olders.
Boys and girls ran together and the first JV runner to finish was Tyler Wilson from Fort Walton Beach. He was fifth overall with a finish time of 17:54.
Runners all have their own thing they do to get motivated or to push themselves. Niceville runner Jake Everitt held his arm out for the camera as he ran into the chute. On his arm was written 'Don't Walk?' Jake was 10th overall and the fifth JV runner with an 18:31. The Niceville team took the overall win.
The girls first place winner was 7th grader Suzanne Dannheim from Bolles High School. Finishing 50th overall, Suzanne ran a time of 20:42 and helped Bolles take the first place JV trophy for the girls.