LARGO — Seffner Christian’s Josh Keenan and Calvary Christian’s Hannah Brookover didn’t run their best races of the season Thursday morning, but both ran well enough to take individual medalist honors at the Class A, District 8 meet at Taylor Park.
Keenan finished in 16 minutes, 54 seconds, six seconds ahead of Indian Rocks Christian’s Trevor Quandt.
“I was pacing (teammate) Noah (Lambert) in this race, but it was still a good pace,” Keenan said. “I was kicking at the end because I saw the Indian Rocks kid coming up behind me. I just wanted to make sure there was no way he caught me.”
Brookover (19:46), a freshman, had a little more breathing room. After hanging with a pack of four runners on the first lap around Taylor Lake, she broke free to beat Bobbi LaBrant of Indian Rocks Christian by 32 seconds.
“I could have started a little faster,” Brookover said. “I was trying to stay with the front girls and then break off at the end. I was able to do that.”
Seffner Christian edged Indian Rocks for the boys championship 31-37. Aside from Keenan, Seffner was paced by a personal best 17:05 from Lambert to finish fourth. Noah Perkins (17:50) and Cory Chambers (17:52) finished sixth and seventh.
Indian Rocks Christian had four runners in the top 10. Quandt was second at 17:00, Cole Krajeski (17:35.9) was fifth, Luke Boeche (17:58.5) eighth and Tyler Margan (18:03) 10th. Quandt, Krajeski and Boeche set personal bests.
Tampa Prep finished third with 58 points; the top three teams and top 13 individuals move on.
For the girls, Indian Rocks dominated with five runners in the top 10. Second-place LaBrant led the Golden Eagles while Rachel Kistemaker (21:19) was fourth, Jordyn Bench (21:46) sixth, Kayla Hewell (22:34) eighth and Jordan Mott (22:53) 10th.
Seffner Christian was second with 45 points, paced by Sabrina Whiting, who finished third in 21:00.7. Calvary Christian was third with 53 points.
“I knew the boys would be close with Seffner Christian,” IRC coach Bobby LaBrant said. “My only concern was that they didn’t stay out too late last night eating candy.”
Class A, District 9: At Lakeland, the Clearwater Central Catholic boys and girls teams placed second behind McKeel and Lakeland Christian.
Saphara Harrell was the girls champion in 19:49, almost a minute ahead of the runnerup. Teammate Katie Englert was seventh (23:10).
Saul Ramirez led the Marauder boys with a third-place finish in 17:54, followed by teammate Matt Adan in seventh (18:07).