Sixteen Keys runners traveled to Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee on Nov. 16 for the FHSAA cross country state championships. Qualifying for the big show were Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa and Naima Thomas, who made the list as individuals plus Marathon’s boys and girls teams.
The top finisher was Marathon’s Vance Bursa, who capped off his senior season with a ninth-place finish. Bursa crossed the line in 16:06. His time helped push the Fins’ boys team into 15th place in the state. Freshman Tony Bursa was next for Marathon, crossing in 17:59. Lucian Burns, an eighth-grader, was third for the Fins, finishing in 18:22. Also breaking the 19-minute barrier were Allan Taylor, a freshman, and Caleb Shelar, a junior. Senior Adrien Holdinga and sixth-grader Anthony Vargas also completed the race for Marathon.
The Dolphin girls were led by Molly Joly, who finished in 21:28. Joly, a sixth-grader, crushed her prior personal best by more than a minute. Senior Ella Dunn was second for the Lady Fins, followed by sophomores Maeve Merryman, Sara Robinson and Madelyn Thornton. Rebecca Merryman, an eighth-grader, rounded out the finishers for Marathon.
In the 2A race, Key West’s senior pair finished their high school cross country careers in style. Makimaa, who ran her second consecutive state championship race at Apalachee Park, finished in 20:16. Naima Thomas crossed in 21:17.
Though last week’s state championships marked the end of the season and high school careers for the senior athletes, many of the qualifying runners will not be retiring their racing flats. Most of the athletes participate in track and field during the spring season and will have another chance to bring home some hardware with their running talent.
Photos by RICK MACKENZIE/Contributed
