FHSAA Cross Country Season Preview Boys and Girls 1A (2024)

FHSAA Cross Country Season Preview Boys and Girls 1A

Cross Country season has officially started here in Florida. I have posted a variety of rankings articles regarding overall pre-season returners rankings, individually and for teams. Here is a Preview of 1A. Remember that no ranking system is perfect and no season preview is perfect. One can't account for injuries, big jumps, transfers, breakthrough runners that we haven't seen yet and middle schoolers joining the varsity as incoming freshman, and in the case of some schools being able to run varsity. It is difficult to predict a season but one of the great things about Florida MileSplit is that we have a great ranking database that allows one to quickly and easily view rankings and XC and track PRs. Here is a look at what we may see in 1A this season.

1A Girls Team

The race for the 1A girls' title is a two-team race. The #1 and 2 teams from last year's State Meet should go at it again and it may be close. On paper, Pensacola Christian is still on top. The real changes, however, are at Cambridge Christian where new coach Jeff Vargas has Jr.Eliana Blackback. She hastransferred back from IMG. However,Sr.Ava Hendrixleft Cambridge last spring and will be running for Fleming Island.Black is the #3 ranked pre-season returner in all divisions and the #1 ranked girl in 1A. Hendrix is #6.Adding Black back in the mix and removing Hendrix and adjusting the scores accordingly of the other girls on the Cambridge team and the defending champion Pensacola Christian team, Pensacola Christian stays in the #1 position. Theyreturn 6 of their 7, losing only their top runner,RaeAnne Tuttonto graduation.On paper, if we were to run the State meet today,the defending champion Pensacola Christian squadwould be favored to win. A lot can happen between now and then, but it should be an exciting race to watch.

1) Jr. Eliana Black 17:48 1

1A Girls Individual

TheProvidence Schoolwas fourth last year in 1A. They return everyone from last year and based on their 2023 times, they would have a 1-5 split of just 31.90 seconds. Sean Cunningham, who by tie, is their 6th ranked runner, was their number five scorer at State last year. Just 9 points back in the rankings, is last year's Runner-UpCambridge Christian. However, and, not reflected in the rankings is the addition of Sr. Ethan Esposito to the Cambridge roster. Esposito was the #5 runner on the Indian Rocks State champion team last year. He was 35th with a time of 17:03.30. He has a PR of 15:57. Indian Rocks lost their 2, 3, and 4 runners who went 6, 11, and 15 at State, to graduation. They are led by Sr. Blake Young who is ranked 1A #1 but will lack the depth this year to be a team State contender. On the other hand, with the addition of Esposito, the #5 ranked 1A runner, Cambridge looks like the team to beat in 1A this season. Cambridge is led by Jr. Mark Meister who is ranked #4 in 1A with a 15:53.28.

Other teams that will be looking for spots on the podium are Westminster Academy and the Oak Hall School. Westminster will likely battle with the Providence School for the 2nd and 3rd spots. Westminster is led by Sr.Jonathan Pena, the #2 ranked 1A runner.

1A Boys Individual

In 1A, five returners have run sub-16. SeniorsBlake Young and Jonathan Penawho were 2nd and 3rd last year at State are ranked 1A #1 and #2 this year with times of 15:48.70 and 15:57.00. Circle Christian Sr.Will Neeld just missed getting under 16 at State last year in his 4th place finish (16:02.10). He is ranked 1A #3 with a 15:53. The other two are the #4 and 5 ranked runners from Cambridge, Mark Meister (15:53.28) and Ethan Esposito who has gone 15:57.00.

Three others to watch for are Seffner Christian Jr. Aiden Davis, St. Francis Catholic Sr. Sam Stone, and Out of Door Academy Jr. Kevin Gyurka. All three ran 16:10 or better and will be pushing to go sub-16.