Runners from three local high schools toed the line for the Sugarloaf Trail cross country race on Oct. 21. Marathon’s Antonin Bursa claimed first place with a time of 18:27. Teammate Allan Taylor was next, finishing in 19 minutes flat; then it was Key West senior Prometheus Delacerda in third, with a time of 19:27. In fourth was Marathon’s Caleb Shelar, followed by a trio of Conchs: Sawyer Hill, Alejandro Caridad and Owen Fisher were fifth through seventh. Victor Balmaceda was first for Basilica School, in eighth place overall, while Colin Palomino and Charlie Delashmit, a pair of Conchs, rounded out the top 10.
In the girls race, Molly Joly was first. The Marathon seventh-grader finished the course in 24:33. Emma Bradshaw, Violet Jangraw and Ryah Bushey of Key West were second through fourth; then Dolphins Mylana Loza, Danaica Bessy and Kayla Skaarup were fifth through seventh. Key West’s Yaretzy Marquez and Brenda Chirino of Marathon completed the field of finishers.
Three days later, the Fins were back in action, this time in Miami. A total of 27 teams participated in the 305 Classic cross country meet at Larry & Penny Thompson Park on Oct. 24. Two of those teams were Marathon and Coral Shores.
The Dolphins pulled off an eighth-place finish despite racing without their top runner. Freshman Lucian Burns is sidelined with a stress fracture, which may affect the remainder of his season. The rest of the team picked up the pace to make up for the missing link to their success this season. Antonin Bursa was first for the Fins, placing fifth overall in 17:51. Caleb Shelar and Allan Taylor each broke the 20-minute barrier, running the race in 19:06 and 19:47, respectively. Anthony Vargas, Thomas Torres and Cameron Coletti rounded out the top five spots for the Dolphins.
Coral Shores finished in the middle of the pack, claiming 14th place with Jamie Cary leading the charge. Cary crossed the line in 19:09, followed by Tristan Sanchez, Garrett Gomila, Tristan Rios and Adrik Gadea.
The Hurricanes, led by sophomore Ali Wheatley, finished fifth of 18 teams in the girls competition. Wheatley was fourth overall, crossing the line in 21:06. Kate King was next for the ’Canes, crossing in 24:03. Olive Welch, Tess Hill and Hayden Teal rounded out the top five spots, all finishing under 27 minutes.
Marathon did not bring enough girls to qualify for a team, but Mylana Loza, Danaica Bessy, Ariella Dworniczak and Kayla Skaarup got in some great training prior to districts.
Up next for Keys runners is the Oct. 30 Junior Orange Bowl race in Miami, then it’s off to districts. Marathon runs at Boca Raton’s South County Regional Park on Nov. 4 while Key West and Coral Shores race two days later at Larry & Penny Thompson Park in Miami.
