On November 16, 16 Keys racers made the trip to Tallahassee to compete in the FHSAA cross-country state finals at Apalachee Regional Park. In addition to Marathon’s boys and girls teams, Key West’s Caylaa Makimaa and Naima Thomas qualified for the main event as individuals.
Vance Bursa of Marathon, who finished in eighth place to end his senior season, was the highest finisher. In 16:06, Bursa went across the line. The Fins boys team finished in 15th place in the state thanks in part to his time. Tony Bursa, a freshman, crossed the finish line in 17:59. With a time of 18:22, eighth-grader Lucian Burns finished third for the Fins. Allan Taylor, a freshman, and Caleb Shelar, a junior, also broke the 19-minute mark. Additionally, sixth-grader Anthony Vargas and senior Adrien Holdinga finished the Marathon course.
Molly Joly, who finished in 21:28, led the Dolphin girls. Sixth grader Joly beat her previous personal best by over a minute. The Lady Fins’ sophomores Maeve Merryman, Sara Robinson, and Madelyn Thornton finished second, followed by senior Ella Dunn. Eighth-grader Rebecca Merryman completed the Marathon finishers.
Key West’s senior cross country team concluded their high school careers in a spectacular fashion in the 2A competition. Makimaa finished in 20:16 at Apalachee Park after running the state championship race for the second time in a row. In 21:17, Naima Thomas crossed.
Many of the qualifying runners will not be retiring their racing flats, even though the senior athletes’ season and high school careers came to an end with last week’s state championships. The majority of the athletes compete in track and field in the spring, giving them another opportunity to show off their sprinting prowess and win some gold.
Contributed/RICK MACKENZIE photos
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