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highschoolharrier · 7 years

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By Sean Leider

1A Boys

Individual

Over the past year, there has been only one word to describe 1A boys individuals: chaos. Last year as a sophomore, Mount Dora Bible’s Gabriel (Gabe) Curtis, surprised everyone at the state meet by upsetting a host of upperclassmen to claim his first individual state title in 16:17 in the heat of the late morning. In the spring, Curtis entered the 3200 state championship in May as one of the favorites, but could only muster a fourth place finish. Not only did Curtis finish fourth, but all of the top three were underclassmen and will be back to try to beat Curtis again this fall.

What’s even crazier is that two of the three were only middle schoolers! Oak Hall’s Austin Montini entered the race as an unheralded eighth grader who had never broken 10:10 in the 3200 or 17:00 in the 5k, but left as a state champion after a mad sprint to the line that saw the top four finish within a second of each other. The other eighth grader who claimed a podium spot was none other than Gabe’s own brother Mitchell Curtis. Mitchell was able to get the better of his brother during that race, but came up just short of defeating his middle school rival. However, Mitchell was able to complete an impressive triple at the middle school state championship the following weekend, by claiming the 800, 1500, and 3000. Both of these freshman should have successful cross-country seasons and compete for an individual state title after their breakout track performances.

Two other seniors have been consistent performers, and should be able to move up the medal stand this season. Ryan Szklany (Highlands Christian) was third at last year’s state cross country meet, and ran a very quick 9:34 3200 in the spring. Josh Skielnik (Jupiter Christian) has a similar resume to Szklany, posting a fourth place finish at last year’s state meet, and following that up with an impressive track season which saw him run under 9:50 for the 3200.

The dark horse in this race will be Citrus Park Christian’s new transfer: Trevor Foley. Foley boasts eye-popping credentials, running 15:26 (5k XC), 9:23 (3200), and 4:15 (1600), as well as winning a 2A 1600 state title against a loaded field as a sophomore. Sometimes plagued by injury, hopefully Foley will remain healthy and will be able to show off his incredible talent in November.

Update: Gabriel Curtis was seen wearing a boot this summer, but hopefully he will be back for a successful cross country season.

Other Names to Watch: Cooper LaBrant (Indian Rocks Christian), Collin Kane (Oak Hall), Jake Mazziotta (Maclay), Sean Snyder (St. Joseph)

Team

Much like the individual race, the 1A boys team race also looks to be a wide open affair. On paper the top two schools look to be traditional powerhouse Maclay and recent upstart Mount Dora Bible. Last year, Maclay finished a disappointing sixth at the state meet, but they return six of their top seven. Unfortunately, their number one from last year, Clayburn Milford, transferred to 3A school Chiles, so they will lose a lot of their firepower up front. On the other hand, Mount Dora Bible has two runners, more specifically two brothers, who could both challenge for the individual state title. Behind their fantastic one-two punch, they return multiple runners from last year’s third place team who should provide crucial depth and experience.

Last year’s state champions, Westminster Academy, also return six of their top seven, but it will be very difficult for them to keep pace with the top two teams. In order for them to be competitive, they will need to develop a strong number five runner who will close the gap to their other scorers. Providence is another team that should be in contention. However, they also need to strengthen the back half of their squad in order for them to be competitive.

A big question mark is the new team on the block: Citrus Park Christian. Led by individual contender Trevor Foley, the school is rumored to be bringing in a whole influx of runners, but we will have to wait to see what happens.

Other Teams to Watch: St. Joseph’s, Palmer Trinity, Pine School, Indian Rocks

2A Boys

Individual

With a Foot Locker finalist, and a host of other boys under 16 minutes, the 2A boys individual race should again be one of the most competitive races in the state. Charles Hicks (Bolles) was a close runner-up at last year’s state meet, and is the favorite to finally claim an individual state title this year. After his close loss last year, Hicks was able to rebound to finish 9th at Foot Locker South and secure a place at Foot Locker nationals as a sophomore. Although Hicks was injured during part of track season, he was still able to post an impressive 9:15 3200, and is now healthy again and ready for cross-country season. His Bolles teammate Chase Rivera is another talented sophomore who should be in the mix for a podium spot. Rivera ran under 4:20 in the mile as a freshman, and is looking to have a breakout junior season.

Calvary Christian senior Danny Ferro was able to claim an individual state title in the 800 during track season, and will look to add to his trophy collection this fall. Ferro obviously has speed, sporting bests of 1:54 for the 800 and 4:17 for the 1600, but is also an impressive cross-country runner who finished fifth at last year’s state meet, and will be a serious contender for the win this year.

A whole host of other seniors will also be in the mix for podium spots including Nathan Jubran (Bishop Kenny), Paul Stafford (Lake Wales), and Antonio Gomez (Frostproof). All three members of the class of 2018 have impressive resumes which include high finishes at state championships, and 3200 bests of around 9:30. With their loads of talent of experience, all three of them could make some noise this season.

Other Names to Watch: Owen Allen (Key West), Troy Smith (Rockledge), Trent Turbyfill (Trinity Prep), Walker Hirsch (Satellite)

Team

Ever since joining class 2A in 2013, Trinity Prep has every single team title. However, this trend looks like it might change in 2017. The defending champions lost three of their top seven to graduation, and lost two more over the summer, after sophomores Mamush and Kayamo Galloway transferred to Oviedo. Although they return a solid group of seniors, Trinity needs to add more depth to their roster in order to compete in November.

On the other hand, the Bolles boys have recently been an up and coming program, and they look to be in a good position to claim their first state title since 1985. Last year, a young Bolles team finished runner-up at the state championship, and they return six of their top seven. Led by the junior duo of Charles Hicks and Chase Rivera, and four more boys who went under ten minutes in the 3200 in the spring, Bolles looks to have the talent and experience to claim a title in November.

Satellite finished third at the state meet last year, and even though they lose four seniors to graduation, they return a host of boys who ran sub 17:00 last year, and will look to contend for a podium spot once again. Bishop Kenny, led by senior Nathan Jubran, is another podium contender, but will need for their pack to improve in order to challenge for a state title.

Other Teams to Watch: Lake Highland Prep, South Walton, Immokalee, Wakulla, Cocoa Beach

3A Boys

Individual

The 3A boys individual field is one of the deepest and most competitive in the state, and should provide us with an entertaining state meet in November. Chiles senior Michael Phillips is the returning champion, as he ran a blistering 15:30 to take the victory last year. Phillips carried that momentum over to track season as he ran a staggering 9:05 in the 3200 at FSU Relays, and followed that performance up with a 4:13 1600 the next day.

However, Phillips will face stiff competition from rival senior Joshua Collins of Belen Jesuit. Last year, Phillips and Collins had an epic duel at FSU pre-state with Phillips eventually getting the better of Collins 15:27 to 15:30. Although Phillips did win the state title, Collins was able to finally defeat Phillips at Foot Locker South by posting a personal best of 15:22 to finish 13th. The two of them should provide more exciting duels during their senior campaigns, and look to be the favorites for a state title.

Two other names that could be in the mix for podium positions are Chiles senior Matthew Newland and New Smyrna Beach junior Aidan O’ Gorman. Newland had an impressive track season, running 9:13 in the 3200, and will be looking to improve on his sixth place finish from last year’s state meet. O’ Gorman is a very strong cross-country runner, and his 15:50 personal best puts him in contention with some of the best in the state.

Finally, there are two dark horses who could really shake things up in November: senior Joey Fitzpatrick (Ocala Vanguard) and junior Hugh Brittenham (Estero). Brittenham has shown incredible success on the track, running 1:52 in the 800 and running a gutsy 4:17 1600 to finish as the runner-up at the state meet. If he can transfer his speed on the track to the cross-country course, he will be a real medal contender in November. Although Brittenham is talented, the dark horse with the highest ceiling is definitely Joey Fitzpatrick. As a freshman, Fitzpatrick ran eye-popping times of 15:35 (5k XC) and 4:17 (1600). However, Fitzpatrick stepped away from the sport for almost two years, but returned for his junior track season where he ran 1:53 in the 800 at the state meet to finish second. It will be interesting to see if Fitzpatrick can rekindle and expand on his success from his freshman year during his senior season and compete for a state title.

Other Names to Watch: Sebastian Roa (Belen Jesuit), Payne Meyer (New Smyrna), Diego Lavieri-Sosa (Ocala Vanguard), Alex Normandia (Land O’ Lakes)

Team

The 3A boys team race looks to be a battle between traditional cross-country powerhouses Belen Jesuit and Chiles. Both teams are led by incredible frontrunners (Joshua Collins and Michael Phillips respectively), and have no lack of experience competing at the top level. As always, Belen’s strength will be their incredible depth, and if one person sustains an injury or drop in form, they have plenty of guys to step right into his place. On the other hand, Chiles is going to really struggle with depth. Right now, their fifth guy needs to close the gap on their top four in order for them to be successful, but if anything happens to any of their top five, Chiles looks to be in trouble.

Niceville and Bartram Trail are two other teams that could be in contention. Both teams have a very strong pack, and had very impressive track seasons, but will need to improve to be competitive this season. Most importantly, both teams lack a frontrunner, and that will make it hard for them to compete with Belen Jesuit and Chiles because of the firepower they have up front.

Other Teams to Watch: Gulf Coast, Estero, Merritt Island, Naples, Robinson, Ocala Vanguard

4A Boys

Individual

Last year, the 4A boys individual race was one of the most wide open races of the state championship, and it is shaping up to be crazy, competitive, and exciting once again. Bryce Bell (Lyman) owns some of the fastest times in the field with bests of 15:46 on the cross country course and 9:31 on the track. After a fifth place finish last year, Bell will be looking to end his senior year with a cross-country state title. Nicholas Rischar (Saint Thomas Aquinas) also boasts a fast 3200 best (9:28), and will be looking to improve on his third place finish from a year ago.

Another senior looking to take home his first individual state title is Isaias De La Puente of Forest Hill. Last year, De La Puente ran an impressive 15:59 to take runner-up honors in stifling conditions. However, at the state track and field meet in May, De La Puente looked to have overcome his cross-country defeat, as he stormed away to cross the line first in the 3200. Unfortunately, he was later disqualified for cutting in too early on the very first lap of the race. This disqualification will give De La Puente a chip on his shoulder, and he will be determined to chase that elusive state title.

Seniors Timothy Doyle (Freedom) and Deshay Fernandes (Christopher Columbus) have always been strong track runners, and will look to carry their success over to the cross-country course this fall. While both have run under 16 minutes in the 5k, they have also been able to go 1:53 and 1:54 respectively on the track for 800m. Doyle has also claimed two state titles in the 1600, and will be looking to add a cross-country state title to his collection.

Impact sophomore transfer Kayamo Galloway (Oviedo) is another potential threat for the individual state title. A member of Trinity Prep’s state title winning teams over the last two years, Galloway has already racked up loads of state meet experience for an underclassmen. As an eighth grader, Galloway finished 3rd individually at the state meet, and also boasts an impressive personal best of 15:46. This year, he will be able to work with new teammate Tyson Harper (16:03 5k, 9:40 3200, 4:24 1600), as both could potentially be in contention for an individual state championship.

Other Names to Watch: Guillermo Rojas (John A. Ferguson), Cavan Wilson (Coral Gables), Tristen Montalvo (St. Cloud), Andrew Miller (Fleming Island), Benjamin Hartvigsen (Sarasota), Roberto Castro (Lake Nona)

Team

Going into the summer, it looked like Oviedo was going to be a slight favorite in the 4A boys team race. However, their prospects became a whole lot better when they added Mamush and Kayamo Galloway from Trinity Prep in August. Although they have never had a consistent track season, the Galloway brothers have been extraordinary on the cross-country course, clocking personal bests of under 16:10 last year as freshman. When you combine them with Oviedo’s already strong punch of Tyson Harper and Angel Vicioso, Oviedo appears to be head and shoulders ahead of the rest of their competition.

Some teams that could potentially spoil Oviedo’s bid for a state championship are Steinbrenner and Wharton. Steinbrenner had a fantastic track season, and return three boys who went under ten minutes in the 3200, and two more who went under 10:20. They are definitely primed to compete for a podium spot if they can carry their track success over to the cross-country course. Wharton also returns a solid group, as their top five all ran under 17:30 last cross-country season. If they are able to improve as a pack, they will definitely be primed to improve on last year’s ninth place finish.

Lyman and defending state champions Saint Thomas Aquinas also deserve mention as teams in contention for a state title. Both are led by strong frontrunners who will provide an important low stick at the state meet in November, but they will both need to build more depth throughout the season in order to truly compete.

Other Teams to Watch: Fleming Island, Sarasota, Bucholz, Olympia, Spanish River

Photo Courtesy of RunnerSpace.Com

#fhsaa #crosscountry #xc #running #florida

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