In 2011, Estero made the jump from 2A to 3A. The change didn't effect the girls team, but the boys delved into some unfamiliar territory. Jose Cartegenas and Alex Hernandez were members of the 2009 team that finished second in the state and were joined by Steven Briner, and Adam Sommer on the 2010 state championship squad. Coach Jeff Sommer returns five of his top seven from last year's third place team led by Jose Cartagenas. Cartagenas finished 109th as a freshman and has since finished 28th, and 40th. Junior Adam Sommer had the best finish in 2011 placing 21st in a personal best time of 16:18.21. Experienced runners Steven Briner, Alex Hernandez, Ricky Ledesma round out the top five. Much improved Dillion "Astro" Vallette who makes the jump from the junior varsity to varsity team will also be a valuable part of this team.
Most of the Wildcats kicked off their season at the Estero Fastcat 5k. Cartagena and Vallet finished fourth and fifth in 16:24 and 16:28 respectively. Sommer and Ledesma placed 11th and 12th with times of 17:25 and 17.32. Briner rounded out the top five with a 19th place finish. It is evident how competitive this group is by posting those times against some of the area's top runners in the middle of August.
If you look at the 2009 runner-up and 2010 state championship team the strength of each has been their ability to run as a pack. Take 2010 for example, Aaron Rojas finished sixth, but the bulk of the Wildcat's points came from Briner, Hernandez, and Cartagena who finished 22nd. 26th, and 28th. Coach Sommer has his top four under 17:00 with Ledesma hanging out at 17:10. Numbers six and seven are under 18:30 coming into the season. The top five will drop their times as a group and be in contention at most meets this season. If the back half of the group can do this they will be a medal content in arguably one of the toughest classes in 2012.
Coach Sommer Says...
2012 Returner's Top Times
5K XC
| Estero HS | 615 | |||
| 1) Adam Sommer | 16:18.12 | 51 | ||
| 2) Jose Cartagena | 16:19.60 | 57 | ||
| 3) Steven Briner | 16:34.00 | 89 | ||
| 4) Alexander Hernandez | 16:53.80 | 166 | ||
| 5) Ricky Ledesma | 17:10.20 | 252 | ||
| Average Time: 16:39.14 -- Total Time: 1:23:15.72 -- 1-5 Split: 52.08 | ||||
| 6) Dylan Gamblin | 18:15.10 | 706 | ||
| 7) Dylan Vallette | 18:31.20 | 830 | ||
Boys 3200 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 10:04.63 | Hernandez, Alexander | Pepsi Florida Relays |
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| 10:36.88 | Ledesma, Ricky | Pepsi Florida Relays |
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| 10:52.33 | Gamblin, Dylan | FSU Relays |
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| 10:59.56 | Vallette, Dylan | FSU Relays |
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Boys 1600 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 4:30.59 | Sommer, Adam | FSU Relays |
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| 4:31.67 | Cartagena, Jose | FSU Relays |
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| 4:46.82 | Slater, Christian | FSU Relays |
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| 4:51.01 | Hernandez, Alexander | FSU Relays |
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| 4:57.40 | Gamblin, Dylan | FHSAA 3A District 11 |
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