It was competitive. It was exciting. And it was warm and humid. Last Saturday, local competitors ran in the state cross-country meet in Dade City. For the past several years, this meet that marks the culmination of cross-country season has been located at the Little Everglades Steeplechase Ranch. Although Dade City does not compare in size to nearby Tampa or Orlando, this racetrack provides a spectator-friendly, grassy course complete with 3 trips up a challenging hill, one of which leads to the finish line. At Regionals two weeks ago, Tallahassee endured thirty-degree weather to qualify for the state meet. November in Florida, however, merely flirts with the colder temperatures of winter. Throughout the past week, the chill disappeared ushering in humidity and warmth.

The ladies from Chiles raced first at 8:30 in the Class 3A competition. In one of the most competitive battles of the day, Chiles gave their heart and soul to defend their 3 back-to-back state championships. Lily Williams led the charge, and she sprinted to the finish securing second place in 17:48. Shortly behind her and barely passing a competitor as she crossed the finish, Carly Thomas ran a personal record of 17:53, which earned her third place by 0.19 of a second. Next, Rachel Givens kicked up the hill strong, and she came in fifth in 18:08. Unfortunately, another team stole the overall title. Although silver might not have been the color medal these ladies hoped to bring home, they raced heroically, gave it their all, and were second in the toughest girls’ classification in the state.

By the time the 3A boys ran, the temperature had risen a bit more. Chiles remained tough, and Taylor Buzzard (20th – 16:17) led the team to seventh. With Will Henderson (16:19) and Ben McMahon (16:23) securing 23rd and 28th, Leon was ninth. Representing Lincoln High School, Jacob Slupecki finished after McMahon in a time of 16:24 for 29th.

After starting not once, not twice, but three times, the girls’ 1A race finally had a valid start void of fallen athletes. Staying in about seventh place until mile 2, Maclay’s Stefanie Kurgatt had an impressive last mile fighting her way to the top of the hill and the pack to a second place finish in 18:31. She led the team to fourth place. Sporting blue mohawks, Connor Daughton (20th – 17:08) and Travis Covert (28th – 17:16) led the Marauders to fifth. North Florida Christian was eighteenth. Also running a time of 17:08, Florida High’s Joseph Garcia competed in the 2A competition and finished 27th.

Although the conditions were a bit tougher than expected, Tallahassee was still well represented in Dade City. Officially, the 2011 cross-country season is over. Many of these competitors, however, are still hungry for better times and more races. Most likely, this appetite will be satisfied at the epic Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Southwood or at the South Regional Foot Locker Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina next Saturday. After that, 2012 track season training will begin! Happy Thanksgiving!