Girls
Runner of the year: Alex Eaton, Jr., Shorecrest
The girls cross country scene was supposed to be a wide-open race with several county girls vying to emerge as the best after the graduation of Northside Christian’s Katelyn Greenleaf, a four-time Times runner of the year. Eaton made sure it wasn’t much of a competition, winning every big meet against county foes. She went on to win a district title and was the region runnerup, losing to the defending state champion, Holy Trinity’s Julie Wollrath. She was third at Class A state meet, finishing in a county-best 18:33.78.
Most impressive accomplishment: In the region meet, Eaton stayed with Wollrath for most of the race and finished in a personal-best 18:18.66. That time had Eaton seeded second going into the state meet.
Fun fact: Eaton loves to kayak in her spare time and tries to go once a week with her friends.
What’s next: Eaton will concentrate on the 1,600 in track and has a goal of getting under five minutes in the event.
First team
Hannah Brookover, Sr., Calvary Christian: Her rigorous summer training paid off with a 21st-place finish in the Class A meet (19:47.49).
Saphara Harrell, Sr., Clearwater Central Catholic: State qualifier finished sixth at regionals and was 11th in the Class A state meet (19:15.09).
Olivia Rovin, 8th, Shorecrest: Took 16th at state (19:34.75) and helped Chargers place third overall.
Amanda Spring, Sr., Northeast: Gave Eaton a tough race at the city meet and was 29th at the 3A state meet (19:29.70).
Olivia Suski, So., Seminole: Steady improvement through season culminated with 37th place at 4A state meet (19:54.97), tops among county girls in that class.
Second team
Savannah Broome, Jr., Shorecrest
Alicia Konstantinovic, Sr., Largo
Bobbi Labrant, So., Indian Rocks Christian
Marina Levine, Sr., Largo
Erin Waterman, Sr., St. Petersburg
Honorable mention
Boca Ciega: Shara Leonard, Alexis Stevens, Tiffany Whitson; Calvary Christian: Kellen Caldwell, Emily Curran; Clearwater: Erin Avers; Clearwater Central Catholic: Katie Englert, Hanna Weilinski; Dixie Hollins: Jessica Silk; East Lake: Julia Siegel, Sabrina Siegel; Indian Rocks Christian: Jordyn Bench, Kayla Hewel, Rachel Kistemaker, Jordan Mott, Lina Tadros; Keswick Christian: Alyssa Bowman; Lakewood: Shandra Gordon; Northeast: Caroline Condon, Courtney Condon, Summer Kanstoroom; Osceola: Kaley Eisenbrei, Hannah Gonsalvez, Deveney Miller, Fatima Abu-Rumman; Palm Harbor University: Brianna Paczynski, Sarah Raymond, Sarah Swallow, Taylor Smith; Seminole: Maddie Cappelli, Miranda Gale, Hannah Heinrich, Shelby Payne, Maddie Stubbs; Shorecrest: Peninah Benjamin, Alice Darrow, Kai Greenlees; St. Petersburg: Megan Fitzgerald; St. Petersburg Catholic: Kylie Eaton, Katharine Haddad, Alex Steele
Coach of the year
Jeff Raab, Shorecrest: Helped the Chargers, who had run in the shadows of Northside Christian for years, become dominant with wins at the city, conference and district meets. At the Class A state meet, the Chargers finished third overall, the highest county finish of any boys or girls team.
Boys
Runner of the year: Paul McKenna, Sr., Countryside
One of the county’s top runners the past two seasons, McKenna was the runner to beat after the graduation of Seminole’s Jacob Hudak. McKenna didn’t disappoint. He established himself as the county’s top runner by winning the Cougar Invitational and stayed on top with conference, district and region titles. At the Class 4A state meet, McKenna finished ninth, best among any county boys runner regardless of classification.
Most impressive accomplishment: McKenna had a goal of running under 16 minutes and accomplished at the state meet with a personal-best 15:56.24. He was the only county runner to go under 16 minutes this season.
Fun fact: McKenna’s nickname is Megadeth. He got it after he showed up at his first practice wearing a Megadeth T-shirt and sporting long, curly hair that he now pulls back in a ponytail.
What’s next: McKenna will run track and is hoping to run in college at Embry-Riddle. He has a goal of running the 3,200 in 9:40 this spring.
First team
Sam Chandler, Sr., St. Petersburg: Won the city meet and finished 29th at the Class 4A state meet (16:29.34).
Thomas Grzesiakowski, Sr., Osceola: Helped Warriors win conference title and finished 108th at the 3A state meet (17:26.38).
Hunter McCann, Fr., Osceola: Made an impact in his first season, finishing 66th at state (16:50.16).
Patrick McNamara, So., Admiral Farragut: Finished 24th in Class A meet in (16:55.32).
Ross Porter, Jr., Shorecrest: Top county finisher in Class A state meet, placing 14th (16:39.05).
Second team
Jacob Endrulat, Sr., Keswick Christian
Nima Beheshti, Jr., Admiral Farragut
Josh Luker, Jr., Seminole
Iain Marsh, Jr., Seminole
Stephen Sawayda, Sr., Clearwater
Honorable mention
Admiral Farragut: Adam Burrell; Boca Ciega: Acey Clarkson; Clearwater: Daniel Sawayda, Stephen Sawayda, Cody Sandford; Clearwater Central Catholic: Matt Adan, Billy Englert, Chris Kieler, Saul Ramirez, Brennan Robinson; Dixie Hollins: Miguel Lumbreras, Hamza Noukhal; East Lake: Caleb Lewis; Indian Rocks Christian: Luke Boecheli, Michael Cavonis, Cole Krajeski, Tyler Margan, Zachary Trador, Trevor Quandt; Lakewood: DeVontae Persha, Jason Scott; Largo: John Gilbert; Northeast: Jacob Forman, Steven Rudderham, Nicholas Spring, Matthew Stenger, Jordan Whitten; Osceola: Reggie Cape, Ryan Hoge, Abimael Jimenez, Jeremy Nimrick; Palm Harbor University: Adam Fahey, Edward Shontz; Seminole: Jared Hayduke, Lorenzo Long, Sam Weller; Shorecrest: Jean Jouffroy, Josh Miles, Luke Peterson, Justin Scoby; St. Petersburg: Declan Abernathy, Semmes Bruce, Trent Small-Towns; St. Petersburg Catholic: Connor Cureton, Emilio Ycaza
Coach of the year: Peter Eagleson, Osceola
Took a young team and molded it into a champion with the school’s first conference title in decades, as well as a team title at districts. His Warriors also qualified for state after a sixth-place team finish at regionals.