On Oct. 11, Coral Shores and Key West runners traveled to Marathon for a rare in-county 5K race just ahead of districts. All three schools have been feeling the strain of long-distance travel, making the Marathon meet just what was needed toward the end of the regular season. Runners started at Sombrero Beach, headed past Marathon High School to a turnaround point and finished at the start line, making for a fast, flat and scenic course.
Marathon’s Vance Bursa was first overall, running the 3.1-mile course in 16:28. Key West’s Colbin Hill was second in 18:08, while Jakub Bursa took third in 18:34. In fourth and fifth were Marathon’s Dillon Shelar and Mason Buxton, and behind them were Conchs Daniel Roy and Jerven Louis. Caleb Shelar and Adrien Holdinga of Marathon were eighth and ninth, and Coral Shores’ Nathaniel Shugarman finished 10th.
Curiously missing from the top spots of the varsity boys race was Tony Bursa, who typically trades places with his brothers on the podium. Already competing as a varsity runner in eighth grade, Tony took first overall in the middle school race held earlier in the afternoon, finishing a shorter two-mile course in a blazing 10:30. Allan Taylor and Lucian Burns combined for the Marathon sweep of the first three places.
In the girls’ varsity race, Mikkel Ross of Marathon was first across the line in 22:05. Key West’s Laira Anaya was second in 23:09, followed by Ella Dunn of Marathon in third. Violet Jangraw of Key West was fourth and Coral Shores’ Kai Guth took fifth place. Dolphins Madelyn Thornton, Maeve Merryman, Rain Banks and Sara Robinson finished within a minute of one another in sixth through ninth place, with a runner from Florida Christian capping off the top 10.
Key West’s top two runners opted to sit the race out after running four races in a two-week window. Coach Keara McGraw felt that a fifth would be a little heavy for them, opting for a race on the grass in Key West later in the week.
McGraw has high hopes for the coming weeks. “Definitely excited going into the home stretch,” she said. “They’ve all been working really hard and it shows. It’s a great group of girls, and if we can keep everyone healthy, then I’m excited about our regional chances and beyond this year.”
In the middle school and junior varsity girls’ race, seventh grader Rebecca Merryman crossed the line in first place in 15:10, followed by sixth grader Shaina Strama. Coral Shores’ Hayden Teal was third overall.
Three days later, Key West held a home meet at the golf course with a 5K for varsity runners and a shorter race for younger athletes. The ladies and gentlemen ran together, with Hill taking first place in an even 20 minutes. Next was Caylaa Makimaa in 20:44. Andrew Fedor was third, Roy was fourth, and Louis was fifth. Finishing in sixth overall was James Swain, then Naima Thomas in seventh. William Forster, Owen Fisher, and Wyatt Gibson finished in eighth through tenth place. Swain represented Basilica School, while the rest of the top 10 were Conchs.
As the teams make final preparations for districts, the vibe is nothing but positive.
“I feel great,” said Key West boys coach Mark Coleman. “The boys’ average time yesterday (at the Marathon meet) was 21:00, which is our best average time in three seasons.”
Coleman was without his number two runner, and the team still managed to surpass his expectations. He described his team as “hungry” and “fired up,” saying they will be ready to run their best times of the season Nov. 1 at districts to hopefully qualify for regionals the following week.
Coral Shores’ young teams have less racing under their belts, but have improved greatly as the season has worn on. Coach Lyndie Myers’ girls and Gabe Suarez’s boys are making huge strides in their finishes and can expect to PR at districts on Nov. 1. Coral Shores and Key West participate in the 2A division, while Marathon is 1A.
Marathon’s boys are hoping to make it to their ninth consecutive state meet but will first have to qualify in districts and regionals.
“To make it back, we have to stay focused and keep putting in the miles,” said coach Jim Murphy. His Dolphins love nothing more than to rack up extensive weekly miles, but some lingering injuries are looming over the team. “We have a couple runners that are limited to the ski machine and assault bike in the gym,” he explained. “We still have a lot of season left, and having everyone at their best come postseason is our goal.”
Meanwhile, the Marathon girls are looking to make their fifth consecutive state appearance. Head coach Darby Sheehan’s most difficult task will likely be determining who will make the cut for the team’s top seven runners. Her squad has been consistent and strong, with seniors Ross and Banks helping to set the pace for the younger athletes. Banks has made the trip to Tallahassee four times already, qualifying first as an eighth grader, and Ross has run the course one time less, due to a serious knee injury from which she has clearly recovered. Their first hurdle will be districts on Nov. 2.
Key West’s girls are the fastest team the Conchs have assembled in many years. They have a solid chance of qualifying for the big show this season. If they continue to run as a team and stay focused, their goal is within reach. Though it ultimately comes down to what their competition does on race day, the Lady Conchs have grit and positive mindsets fueling their drive to qualify beyond districts.
