- December 28, 2024
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Both FPC and Matanzas cross country teams competed at Saturday morning’s Spikes and Spurs Classic, a meet hosted annually by the Bulldogs. Both teams competed against some of the top teams in the state, including Bolles and Creekside High Schools.
The Bulldogs were led by Alex Barneski on the boys side while Jada Williams led the way for the girls. Barneski crossed the line in a time of 17 minutes and 59.9 seconds, just narrowly getting under the 18-minute barrier. In tow just seconds later was Sean Gilliam, who finished the 3.1 mile course in a time of 18:01.1. Scoring efforts to round out the top five runners for the FPC boys came from Jayce Newman (19:08.7), Justin Gilliam (19:12.8) and Payton Woodward (19:44.6).
Zach Spooner was the first of the Pirates to cross the line, finishing the course in a time of 18:34.2. Engaging in close battles throughout, Isaac Atwood was next for the team, finishing just a spot ahead of FPC's Woodward (19:43.3). Three spots behind Atwood was Nicholas Hyatt (19:49.7). Logan Winfree (19:59.8) and Andrew Hatten (21:19.9) closed out the Pirates' top five.
In the girls race, FPC's Williams helped to pace the field, staying with the lead pack a majority of the race, only falling back once the Bolles trio of Jillian Candelino, Maddie Pops and Maxine Montoya began to pull away from the group. The 2019 Five Star Conference champion still had a solid showing, running 19:27.4 to finish sixth overall. Following her were Ayanna Fulton (21:25.1) McKenna Casimir (21:35.0), Genesis Epstein (22:05.0) and Savannah O'Grady (22.32.0).
Four seconds behind O'Grady was Matanzas' Lauren Marshall, leading the Pirates in a time of 22:36.8. Completing the team's top five scorers were Sophia Wodchis (23:42.7), Jessica-Sarah Green (24:45.9), Carina Tavarea (25:00.1) and Alyssa Lugo (25:45.6).
FPC will next see action at the Five Star Conference championships hosted by DeLand High School at the Sperling Sports Complex on Oct. 24. Matanzas does not have anything scheduled at the moment.