- November 5, 2024
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Matanzas cross-country coach John White didn’t like that his team was placed in the unseeded race at the 14th-annual FL.Runners.com Invitational, which took place Sept. 27, in Titusville.
And so he sent an email to the race director, pleading his case as to why his team deserves to be in the invitational race, which features stiffer competition. (Teams are invited based on race times throughout the season.)
“I knew we were better than that and deserved a chance at the invitational,” White said Monday. “(The race director) tentatively put us in the invite. It wasn’t until Thursday night that I found out we were definitely in.”
Going into the race, which is extremely fast, White’s goal was for his team to finish in the top 10.
Well, his team did that. And more.
The boys took the championship, finishing with 256 teams points — 10 points ahead of second-place finisher Hagerty.
Seven of the top eight finished with personal records, White said.
Drake Goodman led the way, finishing 13th overall in 16 minutes, 39 seconds. The remainder of the team finished as follows: Liam Conville (23rd, 16:53), Anthony Colasanti (33rd, 17:06), David Perez (60th, 17:29), River Marti (130th, 18:15), Jeremy Tuggle (197th, 18:58), Jon Guilbe (198th, 18:58) and Eddie Hidalgo (257th, 19:34).
“As proud as I am of the boys, I’m even more proud of the girls,” White said, adding that the team has been battling issues all season.
The girls team finished 10th in the unseeded race, with all seven runners finishing with personal records.
Payton Tucker, who finished 40th overall, became the first Matanzas girls runner to finish under 22 minutes. She finished in 21:56. The rest of the team finished as follows: Morayna Thorpe (58th, 22:27), Brianna Evans (59th, 22:28), Chase Kroul (61st, 22:30), Kristie Albano (98th, 23:22), Katie Winters (103rd, 23:29) and Kenzie Forgie (141st, 24:34).
White said his No. 5 runners, Marti and Albano, are key to both teams’ successes.
“I’m especially proud of both of them and the hard work they have put in,” White said. “The No. 5 runner plays such an important role. I have two great No. 5 runners. Both are going to continue making gains."
Next up, Matanzas competes at the Bale ’N' Trail, at Bartram Trail High School.
