Sprinting past race favorite Michael Burke at the Spanish River Invitational was relative unknown Sebastian \"Alvaro\" Castillo. Where did this guy from from? Well, Peru! This former soccer player has found success in running, and is suddenly one of Florida\'s top cross country contenders.
For Emilie Amaro of Cypress Bay and St. Thomas Aquinas boys and girls teams it was more of a matter of survival Saturday afternoon than running a fast time. The Raiders swept team titles in the Red Varsity races and Amaro took third in the Girls ROC.
Ashley Brasovan and her Wellington teammates were at a disadvantage Saturday running in the Alabama hills Saturday at the Great American Cross Country Festival at Spain Park in Hoover, Ala.
Emilie Amaro keeps looking stronger every week. She won by the widest margin of the day 17:20 to Brigithe Moreno\'s 18:24 on Saturday at Spanish River.
It usually doesn\'t come down to stretching for the tape in cross country. But after leading the entire race, pre-race favorite Michael Burke found Alvaro Castillo at his shoulder. In a photo finish Castillo\'s torso crossed first for the upset win, each with a time of 16:07 at the Spanish River Invitational.
In less-than-ideal conditions on a muddy course, Ashley Brasovan still managed to break 18 minutes and defend her title in the first major meet of the season at the Wellington Invitational at Village Park.