Foot Locker South Preview: Florida Edition

The state championships have come and gone and now Florida's top runners will see how they fare against runners from across the southern United States. McAlpine Greenway Park in Charlotte, North Carolina the site of Foot Locker South Cross Country Championships. The Sunshine State has been well represented the past few years sending multiple runners to Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego, California. This year looks to be no different with the strongest hopefuls coming in 4A state champions Andres Arroyo and Bridget Blake. Todd Grasley, Robert Brown, and Olivia Ortiz of flrunners as well as our national team will be on hand with tons of race video, interviews, and photos coming throughout the weekend!

Girls Preview

Blake, a seven time state champion in both cross country and track and field, is coming off her third straight 4A championship. Last year, Blake was seventh at Foot Locker South and finished 38th at the national meet. She is Florida's lone returning national finalist from 2011 when Florida sent three girls to nationals. She has been peaking as of late and has run season bests of 17:43.03 and holds a personal best time of 17:26.00 which she ran at McAlpine last year.

Estero senior Kacy Smith has a great shot in this race in my opinion and could surprise some people. Smith finished third this past weekend at the 3A state meet and was pushed by teammate Katy G. Solis. Smith is a tough runner and will have her Estero teammates and Solis to push her through this course. In 2010, she finished 16th and followed that up with a 22nd performance in 2011 at Foot Locker South. She hates to lose and I think this race she goes all out and gives cross country one last hoorah in an attempt to crack the top ten.

Julie Wollrath is the third highest finisher from 2011. The Holy Trinity sophomore won her second consecutive 1A state championship and has run well in North Carolina. She has run Great American several times and competed well in Foot Locker South last year where she finished 32nd in 18:02.

Others to watch include Caroline Barlow, Kelly Fahey, Emily Headley, Sarah Candiano, Emily Edwards, Scarlett Fox, Julia Rodriguez, and Katy G. Solis

Boys Preview

Andres Arroyo will be the first to admit that Foot Locker South 2011 didn't go the way he had anticipated. The junior  was just coming off his first state championship and the nationally ranked runner had high expectations of making it to San Diego. However, when he toed the line at McAlpine Greenway Park, the start of the race was a little rocky. The Colonial High School star found out that cross country could be a contact sport. As he jostled with other runners he got the wind knocked out of him and quickly fell out of the hunt early on finishing in 186th place. 2012 he hopes for a different outcome. Arroyo won the 4A outdoor state championships in the 1600 and 3200 meters and was a member of the team's 4x800 meter relay that took gold.  During cross country season all Arroyo did was dazzle. He won the prestigious Pre-State meet and capped off his regular season with a second straight 4A title. His time of 15:18.95 was the best of the day, but well off his personal best of 14:59.80 which he set last season. He is running great at a great time of the year and assuming he gets to the front early should be a top ten contender.

Arroyo isn't the only state champion to represent Florida in this race. 1A state champion Alex Brown of Holy Trinity and 3A state champion Thomas Howell of Niceville are also entered. Brown has experience with the North Carolina having gone with his HT teammates for the past six years to Great American. He finished 149th in the race, but is coming off a great run at state and will  also have teammate Tristan Kattenberg to push him along the way. Coach Doug Butler told me earlier in the week that their is no game plan for the race, just to simply go out and have fun. Howell is also coming in with the same mind set.  He told me that he runs better when he is enjoying himself. The Niceville junior was definitely enjoying his 3A win in the second fastest time of the day. Last year, Chris Godwin of Gainesville Buchholz made the trip to San Diego after finishing 11th and claiming a spot when a runner couldn't make it. Could another runner from the northern part of the state make it? Florida has had a representative in the boys race as well as the girls the past several years at Foot Locker Nationals. I believe the trend will continue in 2012.

Two wildcards for me are Tyler Bennett of Fort Myers and Carlos Miranda of Palmetto Ridge. Both have run this race in year's past and are familiar with the course. Bennett has been running well and led most of the state championship race this past weekend before finishing second to Howell. Miranda has had moments of brilliance this year and flashes of disappointment. He recently said he had an iron deficiency issue that he was trying to work out as well other nutritional issues. He finished 23rd at state in what might have been one of his worst races of the year. If a healthy Miranda shows up he could be right in their with the top guys as he usually is. If not, it could be a long afternoon and a disappointing end to a very good high school cross country career.

Other runners who should finish well are Brandon Marquez, Danny Fernandez, Nick Morken, Ace Brown, and Tristan Kattenberg.

* There are several races for each of the high school age groups with the most elite race being the seeded race. The top ten from the seeded races will move onto Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego, California on December 8th. In an event a runner can't make it the next highest finisher will take their spot.

Florida Entrants As Of 11/23/2012

 

 

Name Hometown State
Courtland Bernard Sarasota FL
Joshua Lange North Port FL
Emily Stallings Jacksonville FL
Nicolas Jacobsen Delray Beach FL
Kelly Fahey Winter Park FL
Maleia Storum Indianlantic FL
Nicholas Mastroianni Apollo Beach FL
Caroline Barlow Naples FL
Derek Barnes Miami FL
Danielle De Greef Naples FL
Jonathan Klumpp Coral Springs FL
Kacy Smith Estero FL
Adam Sommer Fort Myers FL
Brian Wilson St. Augustine FL
Samantha Davis Naples FL
Carlos Miranda Naples FL
Emily Headley Orlando FL
Michael Headley Orlando FL
Chace Miller Mount Dora FL
Cole Murbach Windermere FL
Jordan Armstrong Longwood FL
Sarah Candiano N. Ft. Myers FL
Megan Elliott Eustis FL
James Daughton Tallahassee FL
Troy Clark Howey in the Hills FL
Elizabeth Santoro Tallahassee FL
Sarah Hammond merritt island FL
ANTHONY ONEILL II ORLANDO FL
Amber Johnson orlando FL
Jacob Smithe Melbourne FL
Steven Briner Bonita Springs FL
Denae Chapman oviedo FL
TJ Chapman oviedo FL
Trevor Chapman oviedo FL
Jack Rutledge Tallahassee FL
Anthony Sullivan Palm Coast FL
angel perez palm coast FL
Scarlett Fox Tampa FL
Ricky Ledesma Bonita Springs FL
Randy Pires Palm Coast FL
Hannah Loder Palm Coast FL
Rachael Barkoskie Jacksonville FL
Zachary Perry Jacksonville FL
Travis Covert Tallahassee FL
Katie Slater Estero FL
Megan Slater Estero FL
Christian Slater Estero FL
Cameron James Palm Coast FL
Bethany Jenkins Bonita Springs FL
Caleb Ramirez Oviedo FL
Jaden Ault Chuluota FL
Joseph Ault Chuluota FL
Tyler Jowers Jacksonville FL
Connor Ferrentino Orlando FL
Luis Almanza Fort Myers FL
James Shannon Jacksonville FL
Abigail Larsen Ft Myers FL
Trenton Liberty Jacksonville FL
Dillon Vallette Fort Myers FL
Alex Hernandez Bonita Springs FL
Noah Kemp St. Augustine FL
Thomas Kemp St. Augustine FL
Bridget Morse Lake City FL
Edward Morse Lake City FL
Allison Cobb Merritt Island FL
Jordan Foster New Smyrna Beach FL
Riley Johnson sarasota FL
Ellyn Snider Boca Raton FL
Jacob Poirier Jacksonville FL
Tommy Rosen Jacksonville FL
John Dougherty III Gainesville FL
Adam Dougherty Gainesville FL
Claire Snyder Tampa FL
Jake Dorn Estero FL
David Gardner North Port FL
Sabrina Guzsvany Port Orange FL
Austin Roy North Port FL
Katy Solis Bonita Springs FL
Karsten Pease Gainesville FL
Bridget Blake Orlando FL
Brandon Marquez Orlando FL
Daniel Fernandez Miami FL
Sam Webster Winter Park FL
Trequan Moreland Northport FL
Jon Back North Port FL
Sebastian Henao Miami FL
morgan rodriguez ft lauderdale FL
Gabriel Correa KEY BISCAYNE FL
Claire Castillo Port St. John FL
Drake Goodman Palm Coast FL
Michael Bauer North Port FL
Jose Cartagena Fort Myers FL
Zack Bias St Johns FL
Jake Bias St Johns FL
Molly Bias St Johns FL
Lea Tardanico Miami FL
Harleigh Bilz Umatilla FL
Ean Ormsby Babson Park FL
Peter Ormsby Babson Park FL
Michael (Billy) Cipriano Naples FL
Zac Buchholz Tallahassee FL
William Luca Tallahassee FL
Sukhi Khosla Tallahassee FL
Rachel Stockton Orlando FL
Katie Moreau North Port FL
JOHN WEAVER JACKSONVILLE FL
Will Henderson Tallahassee FL
Patrick Ledzian Ocala FL
Connor Boethig North Port FL
Scarlett Davis Arcadia FL
Avery Bartlett Tallahassee FL
Michael Cassette Jacksonville FL
Brady Davis Gainesville FL
Bryan Vidal Boca raton FL
Lars Benner Valrico FL
Christopher Westfall Deltona FL
Kurt Convey Coral Gables FL
Bill Convey Davie FL
Sean Turner Tallahassee FL
STEPHANIE MUSINSKY BOCA RATON FL
Jessica Van Cleave Jacksonville FL
Peter Serendensky estero FL
Joel Lacy Plantation FL
Katy Solis Bonita Springs FL
Antonella Valencia Bonita Springs FL
Carlos Andino Tampa FL
Jacema Andino Tampa FL
Anna Kelly South Daytona FL
Ryan Aponte St. Augustine FL
Jamie Schelm North Port FL
Catherine Vianale Boca Raton FL
Antonella Valencia Bonita Springs FL
Emily Faltemier Fernandina Beach FL
Daniel Faltemier Fernandina Beach FL
Jacob Faltemier Fernandina Beach FL
Autumn Wable Tallahassee FL
David Sweetapple Boca Raton FL
Violet Carr North Port FL
Scott Bartlett Jr. Dover FL
Steven Bartlett Jr. Dover FL
Angela Bartlett Dover FL
Will Spiers Tallahassee FL
Eric Nelson Pensacola FL
Joe Thrailkill Orlando FL
David Hubbard Gainesville FL
Alex Eaton St Petersburg FL
Jordan Webster Jacksonville FL
David Tampa St.Johns FL
Grace Casagrande Bradenton FL
kaitlyn kelly south daytona FL
Daniel Linares miami FL
Steve Pierre-Louis NorthPort FL
Jason Mersereau Tampa FL
Jakin Foster New Smyrna Beach FL
JOSHUA JACQUES CASSELBERRY FL
BRANDON MALONE PENSACOLA FL
Rob Strong Fort Myers FL
Isabella Whelan Gainesville FL
Ashton Garrett Flagler Beach FL
kolin ashbacher naples FL
Jacob Endrulat North Redington Beach FL
Anthony Detorres Ocala FL
Joseph Janson Gainesville FL
Darrell Janson Gainesville FL
Thomas Carroll Palm Coast FL
Trish Butler Coral Springs FL
Max Borland Tampa FL
Daley Cline Estero FL
Amber Webb Orlando FL
Kenneth Castro Miami FL
Malik Gunter Miami FL
Gino Gonzalez Miami FL
Calyope Ortega Miami FL
Jafet Molinares Miami FL
Arthor Alcuria Miami FL
Lea Tardanico Miami FL
Luis Arango Miami FL
Rachel Kling Pace FL
Ashley Heitling eustis FL
RAUL RAMIREZ ORLANDO FL
ANDRES ARROYO ORLANDO FL
Lindsay Tomaini Naples FL
Adam Krstec North Port FL
Khalil Randell Altamonte Springs FL
Karen Xiang Ponte Vedra FL
Tyrell Roberson Palm Coast FL
Bradley Walbert Flagler Beach FL
Darien Halliday Palm Coast FL
Thomas Carroll Palm Coast FL
Cal Davidson-Turner sarasota FL
Cal Davidson-Turner sarasota FL
Lauren Cochran Milton FL
Carstan Cochran Milton FL
Scott Cochran Milton FL
Michael Barr Saint Augustine FL
Mackenzie Baysinger Rockledge FL
Tyler Bennett Fort Myers FL
Andre Bordelon Pensacola FL
Ian Bordelon Pensacola FL
Adam Bradtmueller Sarasota FL
Zach Braswell Rockledge FL
Juan Casiano Fort Myers FL
Joel Chairez Labelle FL
Heidi Churchill Fort Myers FL
Stephen Cox Tallahassee FL
George Dabbiero Bradenton FL
Michael Dean Merritt Island FL
Brandon Drumm Sarasota FL
Emily Edwards Fort Myers FL
Harrison Edwards Pensacola FL
Steven Estes Bradenton FL
David Fines Rockledge FL
Krykyt Fisher Pensacola FL
Sam Frazier Pensacola FL
Kerry Hartley Rockledge FL
Delaney Hickey Rockledge FL
Thomas Howell Niceville FL
Katarina Jernberg Melbourne FL
Corbin Kramer Rockledge FL
Sean Kutzner Melbourne FL
Christian Lake Rockledge FL
Michelle Last Bradenton FL
Kevin Leyva Naples FL
Tyler Long Fort Myers FL
Chelsea Manning Fort Myers FL
Brendan McGonagle Fort Myers FL
Dean McGregor Fort Myers FL
Keaton McKenzie North Fort Myers FL
Peter McMilian Pensacola FL
Jacob Meader Cocoa FL
Erick Medina Labelle FL
Canaan Meester-Kitterman Bradenton FL
Jonathan Milkovich Bradenton FL
Arnold Mitchell Bradenton FL
Conner Moore Fort Myers FL
Nicholas Morken Niceville FL
Nicholas Morken Niceville FL
Joshua Napier Bradenton FL
Kelsey Nesbitt Rockledge FL
Joe Ngo Cocoa FL
Robert Ormsby Fort Myers FL
Nicholas Parrinelli Palm City FL
Alejandro Pedraza Naples FL
Emily Perez Bradenton FL
Emily Perez Bradenton FL
Taylor Perkins Pensacola FL
Brandon Rob Pensacola FL
Mark Robertson Pensacola FL
Julia Rodriguez Tampa FL
Julia Roedding Fort Myers FL
Breeana Salcedo Fort Myers FL
Ryan Scott Rockledge FL
Grace Elaine Sims Pensacola FL
Kristin Sweeney Tallahassee FL
Michael Ursitti Fort Myers FL
Everett Whiteside Pensacola FL
Katie Wray Bradenton FL
Jacob Yoder Naples FL
Ryan Stafford Fort Myers FL
Yawley Palmer Fort Myers FL
Aesop Brown Fort Myers FL
Daniel Fernandez Naples FL
Caroline Baldwin Naples FL
Rebecca Rutila Naples FL
Sarah Ashby Naples FL
Morgan Arnold Naples FL
Teddy Soares Naples FL
Garrison Kalvin Naples FL
James Sanders Naples FL
Dieudonne Prudhomme Naples FL
Lee Shearer Naples FL
Herbert Gates IV Naples FL
Bryce Watkins Naples FL
Darian Adriano Fort Lauderdale FL
Bryce Arelland Homestead FL
Kyle Backman Lake Worth FL
Charles Bengtson West Palm Beach FL
Marina Braynon-Moore Fort Lauderdale FL
Alexander Brown Melbourne FL
Matthew Butler Pompano Beach FL
Andrew Cacciatore Indialantic FL
John Cacciatore Indialantic FL
Michael Cacciatore Indialantic FL
Emily Chapman Melbourne FL
Meagan Collins Miami FL
Juliana Cortes Miami FL
Alexa Cruz Miami FL
Antony Cruz Miami FL
Gabriel Darosa Fort Lauderdale FL
Laura Davant Boynton Beach FL
Stephanie dela Guarda Miami FL
Jacob Dodson Quincy FL
James Dodson Quincy FL
Adrianna Dogan Tallahassee FL
Alec Dominguez Fort Lauderdale FL
Kaley Doyle Boynton Beach FL
Darby Dummer Melbourne FL
Mackenzie Dummer Melbourne FL
Rebecca Fleeman Melbourne FL
Samantha Folio Melbourne FL
Jade Fungquee Pompano Beach FL
Lauren Garulic Miami FL
Jonah Grillo Hallandale FL
Meagan Giddens Perry FL
Alex Harmount Lake Worth FL
Philip Hartman Hollywood FL
Alexander Haugen Plantation FL
Dyana Henriquez Miami FL
Giovanni Herrera Miami FL
Julian Herrera Miami FL
Jarod Hoffman Tallahassee FL
Brandon Holst Cape Canaveral FL
Lindsay Hughes Tallahassee FL
Aaron Jane Lynn Haven FL
Christina Kalis Fort Lauderdale FL
Egan Kattenberg Satellite Beach FL
Trevor Kattenberg Satellite Beach FL
Tristan Kattenberg Satellite Beach FL
Lily Kloepfer Fort Lauderdale FL
Mary Lewis Melbourne FL
Rachel Licea Miami FL
Grace Lockhart Tallahassee FL
Joseph Mauh Fort Lauderdale FL
Riley Maus Fort Lauderdale FL
Reginald McAfee Jacksonville FL
Ian McCulloch Fort Lauderdale FL
Arman Medina Miami FL
Jordan Myha Fort Lauderdale FL
Gatlin Nennstiel Monticello FL
Travis Nichols Land O Lakes FL
Eric Oleen Cocoa FL
Cole Oliver Indialantic FL
Hunter Potts Graceville FL
Rodrigo Quintero Miami FL
Andre Raposo Miami FL
Matthew Raposo Miami FL
Brianna Rischar Fort Lauderdale FL
Leonardo Rodriguez Miami FL
Julian Santiago Miami FL
Katrina Santiago Miami FL
Santiago Saiki Miami FL
Cory Sayyeau Cocoa Beach FL
Margaret Schloss Fort Lauderdale FL
Sara Shamlin Merritt Island FL
Scott Simpson Royal Palm Beach FL
Aaron Smith Crawfordville FL
Costa Stathis Cocoa Beach FL
Tyler Stahl Land O Lakes FL
Thomas Sununu   FL
Trevor Sununu Boynton Beach FL
Eric Tallbacka Jacksonville FL
Brianna-Rose Wahy Melbourne FL
Adam Wallenfelsz Tallahassee FL
Michael Wilson Malabar FL
Holly Wooley Palm Bay FL
 

 

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