The Pinellas County cross country scene took a hit with graduation, but there still is plenty of talented runners left. Here are the ones to watch this season.
Girls
Hayley Brahm, Northeast: The top runner for the Vikings took first place at last week’s Pirate Invitational and leads a team that could contend for a district title.
Hannah Brookover, Calvary Christian: The junior’s eighth-place finish at last year’s Class A state meet is tops among county’s returners. Last week, she placed second at the Lecanto Invitational.
Shannon Greenwood, Clearwater Central Catholic: The freshman is one of the county’s top newcomers.
Anna Hamilton, Palm Harbor University: The sophomore helped the Hurricanes win conference and qualify for states as a team.
Bobbi LaBrant, Indian Rocks Christian: The track star also is one of the county’s best runners. Last week, she took ninth at the Holloway Park Jamboree.
Olivia Rovin, Shorecrest: With Alex Eaton graduated, Rovin takes over as the team’s No. 1 runner. Last year, she placed 28th at the Class A meet.
Brooke Santiesteban, Calvary Christian: The freshman has emerged as one of the county’s top newcomers and helped the Warriors finish second overall at the Holloway Park Jamboree.
Olivia Suski, Seminole: Placed among the top 15 at regionals to qualify for last year’s Class 4A meet. She will be among the contenders for an individual conference title this year.
Sophia Vesely, Shorecrest: The seventh-grader teams with Rovin in a lead pack that will be a threat to place among the top four again at the Class A meet.
Boys
A.J. Jimenez, Osceola: The junior took over as the Warriors’ top runner early last season and is now a conference and district favorite.
Christian Kondor, Largo: He started the season with a solid performance at the Wiregrass Ranch meet, placing 11th.
Patrick McNamara, Admiral Farragut: One of the top returners, McNamara was 21st at last year’s Class A meet and placed among the top 10 at last week’s Holloway Park Jamboree.
Hunter McCann, Admiral Farragut: The Osceola transfer adds even more depth to a Blue Jacket team that should challenge Shorecrest at the private-school level.
Luke Peterson, Shorecrest: Last season, he took ninth at the Class A meet, the highest finish in the county. He will be the leader for the Chargers, who should contend for another top-five finish as a team.
Stephen Rudderham, Northeast: The Vikings’ top runner won last week’s Pirate Invitational and will lead a team that is a conference and district contender.
Justin Scoby, Shorecrest: On a deep team, Scoby has performed well enough to be among the top three runners.
Ryan VanMiddlesworth, Osceola: He teamed with Jimemez to help the Warriors place third overall at last week’s Wiregrass Ranch meet.