Patrick Koon, Jillian Candelino Fastest Of The Day At Florida State Meet
By Todd Grasley of DyeStat
The Sunshine State’s fastest individuals and teams made their way to Florida’s Cross Country Playground, Apalachee Regional Park Saturday for the FHSAA Cross Country Finals.
With championships on the line and temperatures for the early races hovering in the mid-’60s, Cambridge Christian freshman Elli Black showed why she is a special talent and her undefeated season is no fluke. Black led from the start, easing her way through the first mile in 5:25.8, six seconds ahead of Ava Wyant of Master’s Academy and more than 15 seconds faster than the next wave of runners. Teammate Madeline Gear moved up three spots in the second mile, but Black’s advantage grew to 19 seconds. She went on to win her first state title with her eighth sub-18-minute performance of the fall with a time of 17:55.1. Gear earned runner-up honors in 18:09.2.
Cambridge Christian took the top two spots but it wasn’t enough to overthrow Oak Hall, which placed all five runners in the top 25 led by senior Sydney Hall (sixth in 18:48.2) and sophomore Alivia Dragstedt (10th in 18:56.80). It was the 22nd year competing in the state finals for the Oak Hall girls, who have racked up six runner-up finishes and five state titles (2012, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022).
“This one was special, unbelievable,” Oak Hall coach Edwin McTureous said. “They all ran with such confidence and for each other. In one of the deepest 1A team championships that I can remember, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them. Coming in ranked fourth gave us a little more fuel today. The girls all week believed they could pull the upset off and they did! I am blessed to have been on this journey with these girls this season.”
