The cross-country team arrived at the SAC championship meet at Lake Mary High School on Saturday with enthusiasm, and they carried that energy to a second place finish for both groups.
With a strong finish, the boys took home a score of 44 points and an average time of 16:23, close behind Oviedo who placed first. Senior Ricardo Hernandez helped secure the win, placing fourth with a time of 15:58, taking a team best four points with him. Close behind was sophomore Nate Winslow finishing in eighth place with a time of 16:23, and Marek Pezzoli in ninth with a time of 16:27.
“I’m happy with the results because it was a big breakthrough, but I’m not settled, and I still got more to work on through the rest of the season,” Hernandez said.
The boys team ended the meet with three runners in First Team All-Conference (places 1–10), and four runners in Second Team All-Conference (places 11–20).
“I’m happy overall with the results, but I was three seconds off sub-17 and one place off Second Team All-Conference, so time-wise and place-wise, decent, but I’m not satisfied,” sophomore Camden Thompson, who has a time of 17:02, said.
The girls also ended strong, taking a score of 49 points, just five points more than first place, and had an average time of 20:32. Senior Alaina David placed fourth with a time of 20:02, taking a low four points with her. Senior Ava Howell also placed in the top ten, with a time of 20:15, and freshman Madison Thompson placed ninth with a time of 20:26.
“I am very proud of myself, and I feel like my hard work is actually paying off,” David said. “We’ve worked really hard to get here and I’m so happy for our team.”
For the JV athletes, it was their final race of the season.
“I’m really sad,” junior Hannah Barone said. “It was a great year. I love going into practice every day and hanging out with everyone. It is such a fun environment and I’m going to miss it.”
Coach Jay Getty has taken steps to prepare his athletes for the season. Through speed workouts and long runs, he developed a schedule that helps maintain a balanced recovery and racing.
“I’m super excited for everybody who got to ring the PR bell today,” Getty said. “The weather cooperated. It was a great week of training. Both teams finished second. That’s what we were aiming at, is to have a good PR day. And we accomplished that task.”
As the JV season ends, the varsity athletes will be moving to their championship season with their next race at the Apalachee Regional Park for the FSU Invitational on Oct. 25.
