Around mid-week meet director Mike Boza indicated that the course was going to still be soggy, but not the mudfest that we saw last year. Well that ended up NOT being the case and it was once again a big mud pit. A torrential rain storm passed through on Friday afternoon and evening, only letting up about 30 or 45 minutes before the first race was to begin. Perfect timing as far as many were concerned! It was the best of both worlds... no rain during the meet but the fun true, dirty cross country that purists love!
The mud and the three mile distance made times completely irrelevant, but the competition was hot as expected!
Coverage
Boys Elite
Race Summary
Elliot Clemente set the pace the entire race. As predicted, Andres Arroyo tried his best to stay with him. He was successful in keeping on Clemente's heels until about half way through the last lap when Clemente starting pulling away. Clemente wins in 15:38 and Arroyo holds on for second in around 15:45. Arroyo says he was very pleased with his race. (Arroyo Interview)
Belen looked really great and just flat out blew by everyone else with three in the top ten and their five at 16th place. Colonial had a great day though and scored just 69 points behind Arroyo's runner-up performance. They had the best 1-7 depth on the day with their fifth runner in 21st and their 7th in 32nd.
Columbus, Estero, and Plant rounded out the top five.
Race Footage
Clemente Interview
Girls Elite
Race Summary
Kacy Smith lead almost from the gun, taking the lead around 600 meters into the race. Smith and Coach Sommer wondered how she would do in the race, given that she had been out of the state for her sister's wedding over the last ten days (which is why she did not run at John Cay 5K last weekend). Though her schedule was off she did manage to put in regular workouts that week in the hills of Tennessee.
After the 800 mark Smith stretched to about a 30-50 meter lead that she held over the chase pack for the next mile and a half. Then around two miles Olivia Ortiz of Lakewood Ranch decided to make her move and pulled even with Kacy. Over the next thee quarters of a mile the two exchanged surges, trying to see who flinched first. Neither was surrendering.
With about 300 meters to go Smith head Coach Sommer yell to her: "You've got more guts!" Kacy took the challenge and accelerated. After getting a little breathing room Ortiz fought back and kicked hard to try to make up the ground. Kacy held off her come back attempts and crossed the line first around 18:26. Olivia was just a second or two back. (Olivia Ortiz Interview)
After the race, Smith sighed a bit in relief... thankful she did not have to battle Ortiz for another .1 and wondering how the outcome might have differed if this race were the normal 5K instead of three miles.
Bethany Jenkins of Estero finished in third and Katy G Solis was fifth, greatly helping Estero's team successful team championship bid. Kara Halfaker of Plant was a huge shocker, finishing in fourth place overall when she really wasn't on hardly anyone's radar going in!
Estero held down that team title and Plant was impressive with their five in the top 30 as well to secure second place 46 to 86. But the big story was Ferguson's big shocking third place finish. There were largely expected to finish outside of the top five but had big days from Stephanie De La Guarda (7th), Lauren Gonzalez (15th)... really just everyone stepped up. They beat out Lakewood Ranch and Lourdes 105 to 120 to 129. Great job, Coach Raposo and ladies!
Kacy Smith Interview
Race Footage
Boys Open
Good race with pack of about five guys going at it. Abdin Fator of Sickles wins, he is a newcomer to cross country, but ran 4:45 1600 in track. He outkicked Tim O'Laughlin of Tampa Jesuit, who finsihed second in 17:08.
Tampa Jesuit was impressive in their opener, beating expectations and winning 81-105 over Ocala Vanguard.
Video Coverage
Girls Open
Alexis Irwin of Osceola had good separation. A chase pack of a couple of girls were about 100 meters back for much of the race. She finished strong the last mile to extend her lead and win in 19:31 over Elizabeth Mulford of Vanguard's 20:05.
Irwin's big win helped lead her team to a 16 point victory over Tampa Freedom.
Video Coverage
Boys JV
Belen goes 1-2 showing their depth with junior Alvaro Mejor and sophomore Diego Rojo. Mejer finished in 17:35 with Roja crossing the line ten seconds behind him in 17:45.10. Belen scored just 26 points to 54 from Plant.
Video Coverage
Girls JV
Lourdes went 1-2 with a junior Molly Price and freshman Erin Mullen-Garcia, showing they'll continue to be a force in the future--as if we had any doubt. Price was 21:46 to her Mullen-Garcia's 21:55.
Bolles mounted a strong challenged with their top three going 4-5-6, but Lourdes held them off 33-44.
Video Coverage
