Coral Shores and Key West took their marks with over 20 South Florida teams on Oct. 30 at the Junior Orange Bowl Invitational run at Larry & Penny Thompson Park in Miami. The race will serve the teams well, as the course is the same one they will cover this week at their district championships.
Ali Wheatley broke the ribbon in the girls race, finishing in 20:09 for a win in her final contest prior to districts. Wheatley’s performance helped boost the Hurricanes’ team placement to fifth. Behind her were teammates Kate King, Olive Welch, Aria Booton, Isabelle Jacobs, Tess Hill, Hayden Teal, Catalina Armstrong, Kiri Crockett and Ainsley Golden. King’s 23:27 was a personal record. Jacobs, Golden, Crockett, Booton and Armstrong also PRed at the meet.
Key West’s girls also had success in their final regular-season race. Emma Bradshaw completed the course in 23:54, a PR for the freshman. Violet Jangraw and Isabella Gotuzzo ran season-best races and Ryah Bushey and Yaretzy Marquez both PRed. Coach Keara McGraw attributed the team’s success to great weather and hard work from her athletes.
In the boys race, Coral Shores finished 10th out of 27 teams. Jamie Cary led the charge, finishing in 18:33, a PR for the junior. Behind him were Alaric Rodriguez, Garret Gomila, Tristan Rios, Tristan Sanchez, Will Thies, Charlie Willis, Christopher Pizer and Eli Smith. Gomila, Thies and Willis all shaved time from their personal bests in the race.
Sawyer Hill was the first Conch to cross the finish line. The sophomore’s 19:05 was a season-best performance. Senior Prometheus Delacerda was next, followed by Alejandro Caridad, Colin Palomino, Charlie Delashmit and Matthew Barret. Caridad ran a season best while Palomino, Delashmit and Barret set new personal records just in time for districts.
Marathon started off the postseason racing at the FHSAA 1A District 8 Championships on Nov. 4 at South County Regional Park (results not available at press time). Coral Shores and Key West race Nov. 6 at the 2A championships held at Larry & Penny Thompson Park. Teams and individuals with top performances will qualify for regionals the following week.
