As if Kayla Hale hadn’t done enough for the Melbourne Holy Trinity cross country program over the course of her career, her actions minutes after securing an historic fourth individual state title Saturday, spoke louder than words. Instead of basking in the spotlight of her record-tying feat - becoming just the fourth runner in state history to win four titles - Hale was in the finishing chute at Little Everglades Ranch, heaping praise on her teammates while helping them to their feet.
Coverage
FHSAA, 2A Girls State XC Finals held a Little Everglsdes Ranch in Dade City.
FHSAA, 1A Boys State Final held at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City, FL.
FHSAA, 1A girls State Finals at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. Holy Trinity's Kayla Hale wins her 4th State Title.
Bishop Kenny junior Michael Wallace repeatedly answered every surge thrown his way by Estero junior Erick Montoya in Saturday’s 2A boys state championship race, en route to the individual title. Neither Wallace, his BK teammates - nor anyone else in the field, for that matter - had an answer for Belen Jesuit. With Joseph Dorfman and Elliot Clemente fronting the Wolverines’ tight-knit group, Belen captured its third consecutive 2A team title and fourth in school history.
A surprise individual champion, a record-tying team championship and a frightening finish - Saturday’s 1A boys state championship race had a little bit of everything, bringing an incredible day of racing to a close at Little Everglades Ranch. Maclay sophomore Patrick Swain, one month removed from a de-mystifying diagnosis that he had spent the first half of the season running with mononucleosis, sped to victory over the final 200 meters in 15:51.
At this stage of Satellite senior Ashley Shiver’s decorated running career, there are few surprises the multi-time state champion can muster. Yet it was Shiver who provided the biggest surprise in a full day of racing at Little Everglades Ranch, improbably - but successfully - defending her 3A state championship with an out-of-nowhere, personal best of 17:34.
Stephanie Schappert crashed what appeared to be a Jacksonville-area party in the 2A state girls championship race Saturday, with an historic victory over the 5k Little Everglades Ranch course. Schappert, a sophomore from Boca Raton Pope John Paul II, broke away from seven-runner, lead pack over the final 800 meters to capture her first state championship in 18:10. With her victory, she joins Nicole Schappert - a two-time champion (
Ashley Brasovan won her fourth straight FHSAA 4A XC title. Brian Atkinson (Paul White photo) posted the fastest effort in winning the 4A Boys crown. Results posted. Meet summaries, more photos coming.
Stowaway from Tampa Bay Fla.: Class 3A cross country finals. Featuring the Tallahassee Leon Lions boys and girls teams. Look for interviews with state 3A boys champion Matt Mizereck and with lady Lion Claire Stodghill.
The flrunners.com team of Barry Jones, "Doctor Bob" Cooke, Paul White, Andrew Charles, Bob Thomas, Kyle Butler and Milton Lyons were on-site today, working hard to bring you great coverage including photos, videos, interviews, race summaries, and more. Official results are now posted. Coverage will be added throughout the weekend and into Monday and Tuesday, so keep checking back!