Columbus High School has a tradition of winning. The Explorers took home the top prize at the Cross Country Finals in 2008, 2009, and 2010. In 2011, they fell just short of the four-peat losing to Colonial by 17 points. This year's team is led by a strong senior class and as always looks to be a contender when the state meet rolls around in November. Coach Fleitas loses his number one runner Kenneth Castro, who transferred to Miami Sunset. Castro, was the lone runner to break 16 minutes at the state meet where he finished 10th.as a sophomore. They don't rebuild year in and year out at Columbus they reload. Senior Danny Fernandez finished seconds behind Castro in 12th last year in 16:04.13. He has a personal best time of 15:49.84. Fernandez as well as fellow senior Pedro Ortega were members of the 2010 team that won the state championship. Seniors Daniel Linares and Patrick Cabrera look to play crucial roles as well.
On the track Danny Fernandez finished sixth in the 3200 meters at the 4A state meet with a time of 9:40.91. Fernandez also has the fastst 1600 meter time of the group going 4:38.63. Six of the top seven have posted 1600 meter times under 4:57. The tight group is also evident in their 1-5 split of 1:19.39 for 5K and team average of 16:31.38 coming into the season. Last year's team ran a 16:19.01 average to finish second at state. The difference in time is evident with the loss of Castro, but it is definitely something they can make up over the course of the season.
Columbus who goes under the name "Hellions" for postseason meets finished 18th at Nike Southeast. Columbus looks like a solid choice to be on the medal stand, but gold will be tough with serious contenders like Colonial standing in their way.
Coach Fleitas Says...
"It's too early to tell how this year's team is looking. We have goals and we are very young right now. We have three sophomores and two juniors who we believe will make a big impact on our team this year. If our seniors do what we expect we could be really good- possibly one of the best teams in the state."
"Our team goal is to win a state championship. None of the other meets are really going to matter. We will train and push through till the end."
2012 Returner's Top Times
5K XC
| Christopher Columbus HS | 537 | |||
| 1) Daniel Fernandez | 15:49.84 | 13 | ||
| 2) Daniel Linares | 16:13.49 | 43 | ||
| 3) Pedro Ortega | 16:37.18 | 98 | ||
| 4) Patrick Cabrera | 16:47.14 | 134 | ||
| 5) Pedro Hernandez | 17:09.23 | 249 | ||
| Average Time: 16:31.38 -- Total Time: 1:22:36.88 -- 1-5 Split: 1:19.39 | ||||
| 6) Brian Palmer | 17:13.75 | 276 | ||
| 7) Marcos Garcia | 17:52.33 | 521 | ||
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|---|---|---|---|
| 4:38.63 | Fernandez, Daniel | Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitational |
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| 4:47.63 | Linares, Daniel | 5th Annual Hallandale Invitational |
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| 4:51.91 | Palmer, Brian | FHSAA 4A District 14 |
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| 4:55.38 | Cabrera, Patrick | Varela Viper Track & Field Classic |
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| 4:55.71 | Hernandez, Petey | 5th Annual Hallandale Invitational |
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| 4:57.30 | Garcia, Marcos | Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitational |
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| 4:58.57 | Severdija, Ryan | FHSAA 4A District 14 |
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| 4:59.75 | Lyn, Zachary | Varela Viper Track & Field Classic |
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Boys 3200 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 9:40.91 | Fernandez, Daniel | FHSAA 4A Outdoor State Finals |
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| 10:12.08 | Linares, Daniel | Varela Viper Track & Field Classic |
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| 10:24.68 | Garcia, Marcos | 5th Annual Hallandale Invitational |
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| 10:31.46 | Hernandez, Petey | Varela Viper Track & Field Classic |
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| 10:44.28 | Hernandez, Pedro | FHSAA 4A Region 4 |
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| 11:32.86 | Ortega, Pedro | Louie Bing Classic |
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