CROSS COUNTRY
It takes dedication to lace up a pair of running shoes and hit the track or streets every day. It takes true grit and commitment to do it in the subtropics. Monroe County cross country runners were spotted up and down the Keys late this summer, developing the endurance and speed they will need to compete on a circuit of grueling 3.1-mile courses that take them across fields, into gravel, through mud and up hills, all while battling a heat index upward of 100 degrees.
Coral Shores
The Upper Keys fields a solid group of returning runners this season along with some new recruits. Veterans include Simon Gutierrez, Bobby Temkin, Kai Guth, Maddie French, Kacelyn Hollis and Lochlain James. The ’Canes have enough returning talent to be a solid team this year in the boys and girls divisions. The only question is who will join the top runners in the seven point-earning spots on each of the teams.
The ’Canes are still sorting out their top seven, a job the newcomers are making challenging for head coach Gabe Suarez. “All of our new runners have great talent and even more potential to greatly improve their times over the next few months and following seasons,” Suarez said.
Coral Shores is looking forward to kicking off the competitive season and dropping times at meets, which begin next week. They will focus on solidifying their top seven and shattering individual records as they train for their big home meet of the season, held at John Pennekamp State Park on Thursday, Sept. 22.
Marathon
Marathon High School’s history of success in cross country looks to become a longer tradition in the coming years. Unlike the other high schools in Monroe County, Marathon serves students from grades 6-12, providing head coaches Jim Murphy and Darby Sheehan with their own built-in feeder system. Surprisingly enough, the younger runners often find themselves in the top eight spots on each team.
Though Marathon is the smallest of the Keys schools, it has the largest roster this season, with 25 athletes participating in the sport. The girls’ team boasted larger numbers, with 15 practicing consistently including runners across all seven grade levels.
“Our goal is to get back to states for both teams,” said Murphy. “The boys have been there seven years in a row now and the girls for three.”
For the boys, junior Mason Buxton and two Bursa boys, sophomore Vance and senior Jakub, will likely hold down the top three spots, with junior Dylan Sheelar, junior Mylan Henriquez and another Bursa, seventh grader Antonin, battling for the fourth and fifth spots.
The girls’ team has the advantage of returning seven runners who made the trip to states in Tallahassee last fall. Top runners Mikkel Ross and Rain Banks, both juniors, along with eighth grader Maeve Merryman are leading the pack so far, with returning state-qualifying freshman Ava Merryman and an eighth-grade crew of Sara Robinson, Rilynn Richards and Ryleigh Garcia close at their heels. Challenging the returners will be several newcomers, notably junior Cami Wrinn and freshman Shilo Yeider.
“It’s going to be fun to watch them compete for the top seven spots,” Murphy said.
Key West
The Conchs have a young team this season, but that does not mean they are inexperienced. Both rosters currently have nine runners, all of whom show promise. Coach Mark Coleman said the key to capitalizing on the potential of his runners is to put in hard work, determination, and dedication while, most importantly, staying injury-free.
Returning runners expected to lead Key West this fall are junior Colbin Hill and sophomore Caylaa Makimaa. Sophomore Jervin Louis joins the team after a successful track and field season last spring and is showing impressive speed. Freshmen Jakub Kolar and Owen Fisher are young but showing promise at practices thus far. Sophomore Laira Anaya has been pushing her limits and gaining speed daily. Incoming freshman Daniel Roy has been steadily improving in the 5K local running circuit for several years now and coach Coleman hopes he will approach the 18-minute mark by the end of the season. Naima Thomas and Zoe Basham, a pair of sophomores, are also looking strong early in the season.
As far as rivalries, Coleman said he appreciates that running is more of a personal battle, not one with other teams. “As the new cross country coach this season I am just focusing on process goals: working hard, recovering and taking each workout and event as they come,” he said. “That way, whatever happens around us won’t affect the outcome of our efforts. That said, I’d really like to compete with Marathon and do well at Districts.”
The Conchs have also added a coach for the girls’ team, Keara McGraw, to its list of positive changes this season. She and coach Coleman are working with the Conch runners to make daily progress, and they have an eye on the long game as well. “Ultimately we’d like to send a couple more runners to states and become a force to be reckoned with at every race we show up to,” said Coleman.
GOLF
All three Keys teams could be seen on the links across the island chain this month. The teams look to improve their games and lower their scores enough to qualify for the trip to Howey-in-the-Hills in mid-November for the state tournament. The Dolphins and Hurricanes participate in the 1A division and Key West, with a larger enrollment, qualifies for 2A. All three teams have participated in preseason play and will meet again on Monday, Aug. 29 in Marathon at 3 p.m. You can expect some strong drives and accurate putts, but you won’t likely find any animosity. All three Keys coaches expressed excitement to match up with their closest “rivals” and stressed camaraderie, sportsmanship and an opportunity to learn from one another in their in-county matches.
Marathon
Marathon High School’s enrollment is at its highest in recent history, and head coach Mary Coleman-Sayer is seeing the effects on her team. This year she has nearly 20 golfers on a team that fit in just one school van in seasons past.
The Dolphins will depend on seniors Fisher Coleman-Sayer, the team’s top returning player, and Billy Martin, whose constant improvement has helped the Fins on the team scorecard the past few seasons.
Most of the players are not only new to Marathon’s roster but also new to the sport, Coleman-Sayer said. “This year’s team is still in a building phase since we have lots of beginners,” she said. “We have several returning underclassmen who are still in the beginning phases of golf and only a small handful of veterans who will carry the team.”
Travel in the Keys is always a logistical nightmare, and Coleman-Sayer said her team doesn’t always get to play other teams from their district. The Fins will depend on a healthy, friendly rivalry among the other Keys teams to prepare for the district and regional matches held at the end of October.
Coral Shores
Head Coach Danielle Thomas is excited about her growing team this season. With the roster increasing daily, Coral Shores should be able to reestablish a team that is experiencing a rebuild.
“Last year was the first time in a while Coral Shores had a golf team, but with the excitement from the players from last year, this year I have a lot of new talent,” she said.
There were more than a dozen ’Canes hitting the course on the first days of practice, and as students return from vacations and new students settle in, that number is expected to grow.
Key returners for the Hurricanes this season are Gabby Thomas, Walter Hussey, Tanel Irons, Izaak Huffman, Jessie Liddell, Sophia Borders and Davis Borders. With the loss of several seniors last year, the underclassmen and newer players will be key in the rebuild. Joining the veteran players are freshman Ryan Ender, sophomore Rory MacEachern, junior Luca Fucaroccio and senior Kaiden Weinstock.
Coach Thomas has set some solid goals for her team this season. “Last year, since we were late to the game, we were not able to make districts, so this year I am hoping to have some golfers qualify,” she said. “But most importantly, I am hoping that my golfers will have fun, learn and enjoy a sport they can play for a lifetime, and build friendships not only on my team but within the teams they play.”
Key matches for the Hurricanes will be held on the courses of Monroe County, but coach Thomas doesn’t call her in-county opponents rivals. She had high praise for Marathon’s Fisher Coleman-Sayer, who took a few of her new golfers under his wing last year and gave them pointers. She also expressed pride in All-Monroe County player Gabby Thomas for similar sportsmanship. “When the girls from the other team were not hitting right, she helped them correct their swing,” she said. “There aren’t many sports where players from the other team give advice. That’s what’s amazing about the camaraderie within the Monroe County golf teams.”
Key West
With 25 players out for the team this year, head coach Joshua Bassett has the advantage as far as numbers are concerned. Also to the Conchs’ advantage are senior returning golfers Savannah Oropeza, Devon Gilday and Rocco Twyman, who have set their sights on qualifying for states this year.
Underclassmen to watch are Smith Switzer, Ryan Kight, Andrew Bassett and Breanna Santana. Coach Bassett expressed confidence in the ability of the newer players to step right in and make an impact.
The Conchs will be playing in some larger invitationals this season, something Bassett said “gives us invaluable experience against district teams and allows us to know where we stand.” And of course, in-county matches always come with bragging rights when Key West goes toe-to-toe with Marathon and Coral Shores.
Coach Bassett has “the utmost respect” for his team and young golfers in general as he considers golf, with its mental and physical aspects, one of the most challenging games to play. He mixes in some fun to keep the athletes into the game as the season wears on, and the team looks forward to games like putting tic-tac-toe and chipping knock-out contests.
“I am very hopeful for this year, and I know (our golfers) have the ability to go further this year,” he said. “I believe in them and I’m behind them 100%.”
SWIMMING
The 2022 competitive Keys swimming season opened on Aug. 22 and will culminate Nov. 5-11 at the state competition held in Stuart. Coral Shores and Key West represent District 12 in Florida, with the Conchs participating in the 2A division and the Hurricanes in the smaller 1A classification. The Keys teams will face one another on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at Coral Shores.
Key West
Key West’s 2022 squad is a healthy mix of newcomers and veterans. The team is 40 strong, and with more freshmen than usual signing up, it will be up to the seniors to guide them. Head coach Lori Bosco is confident that will be the case, saying, “Most of the seniors have been swimming for the program for four years. Their encouragement has helped build better swimmers and long-lasting teammates.”
Multi-year varsity swimmers include John Search, who excels in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly events; 50 and 100 freestyle specialist AJ Smith; Marcos Montiel, dominant in the 200 and 500 freestyle; and Ryan Martinez, who commands respect in the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.
Many Lady Conchs are looking to capitalize on their solid success last season as well. Isabella Johnson looks to improve on already impressive times in the 100 breaststroke and 50 free, Serena Sander will cover the 500 free and Lauren Walterson should be a force in the 100 fly and 200 individual medley.
Key West boasts a lengthy list of newcomers and underclassmen making waves in practice, including Aiden Pate, Charlie Doerful, Grace Lechner and Taylor Gibson.
Bosco’s teams have earned more than their fair share of hardware over the years, and the 2022 team looks forward to more of the same. To get there, the Conchs will face a lot of tough but welcome competition, especially in the FSPA meet in Stuart, which will match up Key West swimmers with some of the best in the state.
Coral Shores
Kelly Owens and Jon Olsen, head coaches for the Coral Shores swimming program, have multiple state meet qualifiers returning this season and are ready to develop the next generation of success for the Hurricanes.
Returning this season are Corley Smith, a freestyle expert who made the trip to states last fall. Joining Smith as a state qualifying returner is Abbie Sargent, who specializes in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley. Coral Shores also returns Patrick and Curran O’Donnell, both strong in the 100 backstroke event with Patrick competing in the 100 breaststroke and Curran the 500 freestyle. Also returning to the team is Riley Cooper, who excels in the 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle.
They join roughly 30 other swimmers who are getting stronger and faster by the day. Coach Owens is pleased with her team’s performance thus far.
“We have a great dynamic of kids with newcomers filling gaps left by graduating seniors on the girls’ side,” she said. One of the younger swimmers mentioned is Layne Smith, who has already been holding her own in the distance events at practice.
The Hurricanes are looking forward to the annual Key West meet to see how they fare against the only other swim team in the Keys and are ultimately looking ahead toward the end of the season. Owens said she and Olsen are hoping to see athletes like Smith and Sargent advance to the regional and state competitions, accompanied by additional teammates.
