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Patrick Koon Smashes Course Record at FSU InvitationalPublished by
Belen Jesuit Cruises To Boys Team Title at Pre-State Event By Todd Grasley for DyeStat
Photos courtesy Herb Wills/Victor Arrieta
Nobody from Florida was going to challenge Leon junior Patrick Koon, but it was a fellow junior from Texas that pushed Koon to a new Apalachee Regional Park course record. Marcelo Parra from San Antonio TMI-The Episcopal School of Texas made the trip east to take on the best of the best from Florida.
Parra hung around, but by the 2-mile mark, Koon had left the 2021 Texas TAPPS champion in the dust. Koon, fresh off a victory at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Ala., and the second-fastest time ever in Florida history (14:43.09), hammed splits of 4:46 and 4:45 for the first two miles, before crossing the line in 14:50, nearly 20 seconds faster than Parra (15:09.80) and Emerson Miller Buchholz, who was third in 15:10.2.
Koon's time shattered the previous course record held by former Leon standout and Nike Nationals qualifier Sukhi Khosla (14:59.45 in 2015) and went on to compete collegiately at Oklahoma State.
Coach Andrew Wills has coached several national caliber athletes including Koon, Khosla, who was in attendance to witness the race, and Foot Locker All-American, and Nike National 5,000 meter champion Matt Mizereck. "Pat is about the same as both at this time," he said."They all had their own strengths. He could put himself above them next year if he keeps improving." Belen Jesuit flexed their muscle in the boys team standings. The Wolverines showed why they are one of the best teams in the Southeast region placing seven runners in the top 50 led by junior Joshua Ruiz. He was fourth in 15:16.6 as Belen won by 62 points over Creekside (147 points) and Brother Martin of Louisiana who finished third with 159 points. "The guys have been working daily on being reliable performers," Belen Jesuit coach Frankie Ruiz explained. "We had set Pre-State as one of their key races on a legit and history-filled course to test how trusting they can be with each other. Depth is one thing we shoot for as a program and this year’s young squad definitely is taking that objective as a next-level priority. Winning is important, but the way in which they do that together is paramount." Ruiz added that they dedicated the race to those from the western coast of Florida who were affected by Hurricane Ian and couldn't be there to run alongside them. "Before the race in our team huddle, we offered our thoughts and prayers to all those teams." Freshman Eliana Black Continues Her Undefeated Season
There's a list of powerhouse freshmen across the country and Cambridge Christian's Eliana Black is up there with the best of the best in the class of 2026. Black, who finished third at the 2021 1A Cross Country Finals, has been unstoppable in 2022. Five races and five wins including this weekend against a stacked field at "The Cross Country Playground of Florida" and host of the 2026 World Cross Country Championships, Apalachee Regional Park.
Black bolted out to the front like she usually does and went through the first mile in 5:23.6, more than 10 seconds faster than the next group of runners. At two miles, the lead was 20 seconds (11:11.80) with teammate Madeleine Gear behind her in second after moving up five spots. The freshman continued to cruise during the final mile to her fifth sub-18 minute time of the season, and one of the 20 fastest times ever at Apalachee Regional Park. Plantation American Heritage junior Ashley Fitzgerald was second in 17:53.70 while St. Brendan senior Emma Hencock rounded out the top three and was also under 18 minutes in 17:57. "She's just beginning,'' Cambridge Christian coach Ray Friedman said of Black. "She is also in close company to other girls I have coached like Alyssa Hendrix and Jenna Mulhern. While she has produced amazing 5k times, she really is an 800/1600 specialist." Black's teammate Gear finished fourth. "Maddy, is still somewhat new to quality training," Friedman noted. "Her trajectory is amazing. She has cut over 2:30 since she came to Cambridge. Also, both athletes are so hard-working, and such a pleasure to coach." Junior Lindy White placed ninth and was the top scorer for team champion Ponte Vedra. The reigning 4A cross country finals champions tallied 177 points to win easily over Niceville (241), Maclay School (248), Cambridge Christian School (257), and Buchholz (262). |
