2024 was an interesting year for girls cross country. Key West found success in their most seasoned racers, while Marathon and Coral Shores watched their youngest competitors finish first all season long. The Conchs and ’Canes watched breakout stars steal the show, while the Lady Fins worked as a team to qualify for the state meet. Despite their stark differences, all three schools found success this season, and if their hard work and motivation have anything to do with it, the future looks bright for them all.
Runner of the Year
Caylaa Makimaa
Senior, Key West
Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa knew it would be a lot of work to reach her goal this season. Fortunately for the senior, hard work is something she actually enjoys. Makimaa hit her goal when she qualified for her second consecutive state appearance as an individual. During the season, she PRed at Marathon, running a 19:06, then finished 14th at districts while battling a cold. Makimaa was 14th again at regionals the following week, where she felt better and ran two minutes faster to clinch the final FHSAA 2A individual bid to states. Makimaa’s talent and discipline rubbed off on the rest of her team, making them better runners as well, but she credits them for what they gave to her. “Being able to have a group that was able to push one another in the way that we did was unforgettable, and I am so proud of them all,” she said. “This season was unforgettable, not only for the PRs and championship meets but also for the memories.”
Naima Thomas
Senior, Key West
Senior Naima Thomas finished her cross country career with the Conchs by qualifying as an individual for the state meet, something only two other female Key West athletes had done before her. Thomas earned plenty of hardware this season, finishing sixth at districts and 12th at regionals. She broke into the top 100 at states, reaching her individual goal in style. Thomas’ PR this season came in October, when she ran a 20:13 at the Marathon meet.
Violet Jangraw
Sophomore, Key West
Key West’s Violet Jangraw trained with the best this season, and it showed in her improvement. Jangraw dropped two minutes from her time this season, running her PR at Marathon in October by finishing in 22:18. At districts, she cracked the top 50, and if her sophomore season is any indicator, Jangraw may just be Key West’s next breakout star.
Ali Wheatley
Freshman, Coral Shores
Freshman phenom Ali Wheatley burst onto the cross country scene this season, finishing with a mid-22-minute time at the Race of the Thoroughbreds in August, and led the team all the way through regionals, where she qualified as an individual runner. Wheatley was seventh at districts, 15th at regionals and missed qualifying for states by a single place. She ran her PR of 19:30 at Marathon in October.
Kate King
Sophomore, Coral Shores
Kate King’s 24:28 PR at Marathon on Oct. 16 was not just a solid time for a 5K; it was downright incredible, considering the sophomore harrier shaved off four minutes over the two-month season. King finished in the top 50 at districts, setting the tone for even more success in 2025.
Tess Hill
Freshman, Coral Shores
Coral Shores freshman Tess Hill put in the work and dropped three minutes in time this season, earning a PR of 24:27 at Marathon in October. Hill finished in the top 50 at districts for a successful first season with the ‘Canes.
Molly Joly
Sixth Grade, Marathon
Tiny but mighty, sixth-grader Molly Joly started the season strong and just kept getting better. By the end of the season, she was consistently the top runner for the Fins. At districts, she earned an eighth-place medal, and Joly finished her season with a PR of 21:28 at the state meet in Tallahassee, where she cracked the top 100.
Ella Dunn
Senior, Marathon
Senior captain Ella Dunn ran her best time this season at districts, finishing in 23:10. At districts, Dunn was 13th, and she served as a mentor to the underclassmen. Dunn capped off her high school cross country career at the state meet, which was her third consecutive appearance there.
Maeve Merryman
Sophomore, Marathon
Marathon’s Maeve Merryman was consistent this season, helping to bring down her team’s average time to make it to the state meet. In fact, 2024 was Merryman’s fourth state appearance. Her season best came at Spanish River, where she finished in 24:05, then she finished in the top 50 at both districts and regionals.
