Special from James May

JACKSONVILLE - The Katie Caples Invitational cross-country meet held under the lights at Bishop Kenny High School on Saturday night was the first official competition for the Clay County high schools.  With teams from around the state using this kickoff to gauge their summer preparation, local schools were up against the best.  Top-ten team finishes by the Fleming Island boys (7th) and the Ridgeview girls (9th) in such a talented field offer hope for the future.    

Sophomore Ben Bayles led the way for the Golden Eagles placing 31st with a time of 17:21. Cody Helms (43rd, 17:45), Cameron Davis (44th, 17:46), and David Steinburg (47th, 17:52) provided a pack that enabled Fleming Island  to average 29 seconds faster per runner than last year, when they were ninth out of 23 teams.  With 30 teams total and three of the top nine teams in the state (all classifications), Fleming Island coach Jason Poole was pleased with his team’s finish.

“I thought it was a good performance,” said Poole.  “Compared to last year our times were faster, especially our top four.  We need to try and close the gap between our fourth and fifth guy, but I think that will come as the season progresses.”

Keystone Heights senior Nathan Buchanan placed 18th in 16:48 to claim top honors for Clay County boys.  Buchanan ran a blistering first mile (4:56) before coming back to the pack.  Buchanan, also a starter on the basketball team, is working hard this year to improve on his endurance.  The 30-second drop from the preseason jamboree last week indicates the work is paying off.

Other top local finishers included Orange Park junior Brad Gleaton (42nd, 17:45), Ridgeview senior James Tomazinis (63rd, 18:09), and Clay junior Corey Mundy (64th, 18:18).

After winning three preseason races easily, Orange Park freshman Mary Ann Brown knew the task would be more difficult when facing the number one ranked girl runner in the state, Lily Williams, from Lawton Chiles High School and several other elite runners from Lourdes Academy (Miami), Holy Trinity (Melbourne), and Bishop Kenny.  Brown gave every ounce of effort, grabbing the lead early in the race before succumbing to Williams and eventually finishing third in 18:47.  Williams’ teammate, Carly Thomas, edged Brown at the finish line to take second.

“At first I was disappointed,” said Brown, “But after thinking about it, this is something I can build on.  Late in the race, I zoned out and ran into the ropes.  I got a little tangled and it cost me a few seconds.  I slowed down too much at the end of the race.  I can improve on that.”

Brown and junior Lauren Nygren (38th, 20:59) helped the Raiders finish 13th.  Nygren recently moved to the area from California.

The Ridgeview girls were able to place 9th out of the 28 teams despite two girls missing the competition due to the flu and several others still recovering.  This is particularly impressive in a field that contained five of the top seven girls teams (all classifications) in the state.  Kayla Vinson led the way with an 18th place finish in 20:06, followed by sisters Alexdra Midgett (41st, 21:03) and Katherine Midgett (43rd, 21:07).

With the illnesses and early season jitters, Coach Al Nesi is looking forward to the meet Ridgeview hosts this week.  “It’s good to get the first race over with.  Our race this week should give a better look at how we are,” said Nesi.

Fleming Island junior KJ Papuga (55th, 21:34) led the Golden Eagles girls’ team to a 14th place finish.

Most of the local schools will be participating in the Bob Hans Invitational on Saturday, September 26th at Ridgeview High School.  In addition to the high school races (7:30—girls varsity; 8:15—boys varsity; 9:00—girls junior varsity; 9:45—boys junior varsity), there is an open 5K race at 10:30 a.m.  The ten dollar entry fee is part of an ongoing fundraiser to pay for a rubber track at the high school.  Unlike the surrounding counties, Clay high schools are not built with or budgeted for rubber tracks.  For those attending, please bring a can food.  Senior Katherine Midgett is having a can food drive to benefit the Clay County Food Bank.

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