Emerald Coast Middle School 8th-grader Nina Emhoff has had an excellent spring and leads the middle school girls' rankings in the 1500m and 3000m. Shown above is the route to her second-place finish in the FLYRA MS State Cross Country Championship with a 10:44.50 in the Publish School race.
Photo Credit: Dave Tibbetts
FLORIDA'S TOP MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS DISTANCE EVENTS
800M, 1500, 1600m, 1-Mile, 3000M, and 3200m
FLYRA Middle School State Track and Field Championship 2026
(WATCH: The Livestream here on MileSplit FL)
As the 2026 spring track season unfolds, Florida's next wave of distance talent has already delivered a strong set of performances. From the 800m to the 3200m, several names are emerging repeatedly across the events as the middle school season winds down and the athletes prepare themselves for the postseason and the FLYRA Middle School State Track and Field Championship. Many of these young ladies have already proven they can compete beyond their age group, and expect breakthrough performances at FLYRA and in the postseason. Florida's future in girls' distance running isn't just promising-it's already here.
The middle schoolers run the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m at the FLYRA State Meet. However, throughout the season, many of them participate in high school events where the 1600m, the 1-Mile, and the 3200m are run. Here's a breakdown of the Top 5 performers in the 800m, 1500m, 1600m, 1-Mile, 3000m, and 3200m so far this spring. (The lists are generated from high school and middle school meets.)
800m
Fraser Sets the Standard Early
Alexandrea Fraser (IMG Academy, 2030) leads the way with a strong sub-2:10, 2:09.07, getting the win in a breakthrough performance at the FSU Relays in an 800 loaded with experienced high school talent.
Angelica Wolfe (Montverde Academy, 2030) was also impressive at FSU, running a 2:11.37 for fourth, while Lauren Martinez-Lejarza (2030) secured a win at the South Florida Invitational in 2:19.31.
Rubi Colimon (2031)and Selah Gayle (2030) round out the top five, both picking up wins in mid-March meets.
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet Date Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2:09.07 | IMG Academy | 2030 | |
| 2 | 2:11.37 | Montverde Academy | 2030 | |
| 3 | 2:19.31 | 2030 | ||
| 4 | 2:21.43 | 2031 | ||
| 5 | 2:23.25 | 2030 |
1500m
Nina Emhoff (Emerald Coast MS, 2030) delivered one of the top distance marks of the season with a 4:54.18, the only sub-5:00 performance on the list, and has clearly separated herself in the rankings.
Analyze St. John (813 Elite, 2030) is just behind Emhoff with a sub-5:00 performance at 4:59.95, while Montverde's Alafair Scelfo (2030) and Zoey Christensen (2030) are just over 5:04.
Joanie Webb (Wind Runners, Donahue Academy of Ave Maria, 2030) rounds out a tightly packed top five at 5:05.76.
Top 5 - 1500m
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet Date Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:54.18 | Emerald Coast Middle School | 2030 | |
| 2 | 4:59.95 | 813 Elite Track and Field | 2030 | |
| 3 | 5:04.35 | Montverde Academy | 2030 | |
| 4 | 5:04.61 | Unattached - FL | 2030 | Battle of The Bay 1st F |
| 5 | 5:05.76 | WIND Runners | 2030 | SEU Fire Invitational 12th F |
1600m
Valentina Sarcos (Conchita Espinosa Academy MS, 2031) sits atop the middle school girls' 1600m rankings with a 5:17.62, in a deep field of 1600m runners.
Alafair Scelfo appears again here, with a 5:18.67, while Taylor Geraghty (2031), Kenzie McCollum (2031), and Emily Del Mazo (2032) all dipped under 5:26. There is no runaway leader in the 1600m, but the young talent adds to the distance depth for the FLYRA 1500m.
Top 5 - 1600m
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet Date Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5:17.62 | Conchita Espinosa Academy MS | 2031 | |
| 2 | 5:18.67 | Montverde Academy | 2030 | |
| 3 | 5:22.13 | Holy Trinity Academy | 2031 | |
| 4 | 5:23.43 | 2031 | ||
| 5 | 5:25.39 | 2032 | CSN MS Invitational 1st F |
1 Mile
The Mile rankings are anchored by performances from the Bolles Mile Showcase, where Reese Allen (Oak Hall, 2031) leads the group in 5:30.95. The girls who have opted to run a mile are generally preparing for the Middle School 1500m and 3000m, as well as the postseason.
Hailey Reinike (WIND Runners, Bonita Charter School, 2030) and Abby Love (Cornerstone Classical Academy, 2030) followed, with four athletes all within a 15-second window.
Top 5 - 1 Mile
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet Date Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5:30.95 | Oak Hall School | 2031 | Bolles Mile Showcase 32nd F |
| 2 | 5:35.27 | WIND Runners | 2030 | Wind Runners Tri Meet 1st F |
| 3 | 5:40.04 | Cornerstone Classical Academy | 2030 | Bolles Mile Showcase 50th F |
| 4 | 5:44.67 | Cornerstone Classical Academy | 2030 | Bolles Mile Showcase 60th F |
| 5 | 5:45.99 | WIND Runners | 2030 | Wind Runners Tri Meet 2nd F |
3000m
Emhoff doubles down, with another No. 1 ranking in the 3000 m, with a 10:24.09. The young lady has already demonstrated her distance prowess and will be one of the favorites in the 1500 and the 300m at the FLYRA Championship.
Piper Ross (Landrum Middle School, 2030) has run 10:38.20, and Zoey Christensen (Unattached, 2030) is ranked with a 10:49.96, while Emma Godfrey (No Excuses RC, 2030) and Valentina Sarcos (Conchita Espinosa Academy MS, 2031) close out the top five, all with sub-11:00 performances.
Top 5 - 3000m
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet Date Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10:24.09 | Emerald Coast Middle School | 2030 | |
| 2 | 10:38.20 | 2030 | ||
| 3 | 10:49.96 | Unattached - FL | 2030 | |
| 4 | 10:59.48 | No Excuses RC | 2030 | |
| 5 | 10:59.60 | Conchita Espinosa Academy MS | 2031 |
3200m
Taylor Geraghty (Holy Trinity Academy, 2031) leads the 3200m rankings at 11:33.17, with sister Kelly Geraghty (2030) close behind at 11:42.26, giving Holy Trinity a strong 1-2 presence in the 3200. Watch for these two in the 3000m at FLRYA.
Kenley Chandler (Lakeland Christian School, 2031) and Abby Connors (Holy Trinity, 2030) are right in the mix, while Malina Bunwat rounds out the top five with all girls sub-11:55.00.
Top 5 - 3200m
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet Date Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:33.17 | Holy Trinity Academy | 2031 | Rockledge Mini Meet #2 1st F |
| 2 | 11:42.26 | Holy Trinity Academy | 2030 | Astronaut Invitational 1st F |
| 3 | 11:46.09 | Lakeland Christian School | 2031 | Mustang Invitational 5th F |
| 4 | 11:46.79 | Holy Trinity Academy | 2030 | Astronaut Invitational 2nd F |
| 5 | 11:54.05 | Angeline Academy of Innovation- High School | 2030 |
Emerald Coast Middle School 8th-grader Nina Emhoff has had an excellent spring and leads the middle school girls' rankings in the 1500m and 3000m. Shown above is the route to her second-place finish in the FLYRA MS State Cross Country Championship with a 10:44.50 in the Publish School race.