Local high school teams advance to State

By David Yon
Maclay High School captured the Regional 1A title Saturday on the three loop course at Maclay High School. The girls team bested Jacksonville Episcopal and Oak Hall by a margin of 51 to 61, while the boys beat the Jacksonville team 20 to 87.

The girls race was a battle between the top two 1A runners in the state, Kara Newell and Kara Scanlin. The early pace was torrid as they went through the mile in under 5:50 pace. Kara Scanlin was able to keep it up and set a course record while winning in a time of 17:33. Kara Newell captured second place with an 18:34, while leading her team to the title. The two girls and teams will battle it out one more time at the state meet next week in Leto, Florida. In the boys race top Maclay runner Ryan Deak sat on the sideline while his teammates captured the regional title. Caleb Carmichael of Florida High advance to state by winning the boys race with a time of 16:20, just nipping Josh Hollingsworth of Maclay who was credited with a 16:21.

The battle for the 2A titles were waged just around the corner at the Miccosukee Greenway. Pensacola Catholic captured the girls title, while Chiles High School was the only Big Bend team to advance to state finishing fifth. On the boys side, Chiles and perennial state power Bishop Kenny battle for the top spot. They will go after each other again at the state meet, but Bishop Kenny got the top spot on this day with 39 points, while Chiles scored 47.

Zita Magloire led the Chiles girls by capturing first place in the race with an impressive time of 18:11. She has continued to improve this season and promises to be a tough competitor at state. Sheryl Rosen of Marianna advanced to state by finishing ninth overall. Nicholos Wilson ran a blazing 14:49 to win the boys 2A title, while Chiles’ Herbie Thiele continued his strong improvement by taking second in a time of 15:09, a big PR.

In the 3A regions in Lake City Gallagher Dempsey, winner of this year’s Chenoweth Award Outstanding Cross Country Runner award advanced to state by finishing eighth in 16:02. Allie Hunter was Lincoln’s lone qualifier, finishing tenth in 19:38. For more results go to flrunners.com.