Photo Album by Rese Ammons: Over 2500 Photos Posted
Hot and humid conditions did not seem to hinder the participants of the Gulf Coast Cross Country Stampede in Pensacola today. Runners pushed through the obstacles to complete their task, whether it was the heat or injury.
David Ammons, a sophomore with Fort Walton Beach, was tripped twice during the race and ended up with a sprained muscle. He pushed through the pain and still ran a time of 20:27 in the boys JV. Other runners had wrapped ankles or knees. To these runners, it's about passion. It's about desire and commitment. It's about heart. Cross country is a state of mind that not only guides runners through a course but also courses through their daily lives.
"It makes you a better person. You have to have a strong heart to be a good runner, strong will, strong brain; it keeps you dedicated, it gives you that mindset for everything," commented Niceville High School freshman, Thomas Howell. Thomas' strong drive helped him place 7th in the boys Elite race with a time of 16:40. His teammate, Jason Riggs was 2 seconds behind in 8th place with a 16:42. Niceville secured the 1st place team win with 85 points. James Dwyer, a senior with Dunwoody was the race champion, running a 16:00.7, just missing the course record. Stewart Graham with St. Paul Episcopal (16:09) placed 2nd and Phillip Aucoin (16:17) from Jesuit New Orleans was third. Phillip's 2nd place win help Jesuit New Orleans take the 2nd place team win with 96 points and Fort Walton Beach was in 3rd place with 109.
Darroneshia Lott, a senior at Pine Forrest, certainly isn't letting anything hold her back. After last week's performance at the Wildcat Invitational, Darroneshia proved that she's determined to keep the winning streak alive. She crossed the finish line first in the Girls Elite race with a time of 18:25, nearly 34 seconds ahead of the pack. In 2nd was Karisa Nelson with T.R. Miller (18:59) and Margaret Harkness with St. Paul Episcopal took 3rd (19:28).
"It helps me with getting to know other people and having patience," stated 11th place finisher Sarah deVaux. Sarah finished the Girls Elite race with a time of 20:21 helping the Fort Walton Beach girls secure the 1st place team win with 72 points. Niceville was second with 116 points and in 3rd was Ums-Wright with 118.
The JV and Invitational races were no different. Regardless of the level each runner was at, they did their best to press on on to the next level. Niceville's JV team took home the 1st place trophy with 54 points led by James Barnett. James was 3rd overall with a 18:52. Joel Chastain led his JV team, taking 2nd (18:44) and helping Fort Walton Beach take the 2nd place team trophy (73 points). In 3rd place was Walton with 109 points. Their number 1 runner was Taylor Pouncy, placing 5th overall with 18:55.