Ross, Day are Cross Country runners of the year

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

Crestview’s Lauren Day just wanted to win one race in her sophomore season. Loring Ross just wanted to fit in with his new teammates at Niceville.

Both standout runners accomplished their goals, and then some, during the cross country season.

Day had seven top-10 finishes, including three victories. Ross not only got along well with his new teammates, he was the Eagles’ top runner for the majority of the season and had six top-10 finishes.

Day and Ross are the All Sports Association/Daily News Runners of the Year.

“I just wanted to say I won one (race),” Day said. “I wanted to show myself that I could make my goals. Winning is a great feeling.”

It was a feeling she and Ross both shared at the Okaloosa/Walton County Championships. Day had broken the 20-minute barrier the week before, and continued her dominance at the 5K course at Okaloosa-Walton College to take the title. Ross followed Day’s performance with a strong one of his own, not only winning the individual title but leading the Eagles to the team title as well.

“(This season) was a nice way to end high school,” said Ross, who transferred to Niceville from Virginia. “I loved being able to fit in with the team.

“County was great because everyone was excited. It was the whole team.”

Day went on to take second place at the District 1-3A meet, finishing in a personal-best 19:12. A week later, she had a slower time but finished first at the Region 1 meet before taking 15th at the state meet. She also helped the Bulldogs reach regionals on the way. Along with the county and regional meets, she also won the Blackcat Invitational in Milton. The only race she failed to finish in the top 10 was at state.

“It’s more enjoyable when the team does well, because you don’t have to go by yourself,” she said. “I was happy with the season.”

Crestview coach Katie Fitchett said a more serious attitude by Day and the experience she gained from her success as a freshman helped lead her to more success.

“This year she wanted it,” she said. “I think she had a wonderful season. We had set a lot of high goals, and she surpassed them.”

Ross’ only victory of the season was at the county meet, but he added three other top-5 finishes and two sixth-place finishes. He was third at the District 1-4A meet, as well as 15th at the Region 1 meet and then 26th at state.

“I think the season went well,” he said. “I made some improvements and learned a lot. I would have liked the postseason to go a little better, but it happens.”

Niceville coach Sherman Eller, who first saw Ross run over the summer when they began informal workouts, saw the talent of his senior standout immediately.

“The first time I saw him I knew he was the real deal. I saw the way he handled himself, I knew we had a leader for this team,” Eller said. “He’s a strong runner and is very positive and he did what I thought he could do. After the first few workouts, we knew we had a good one on our hands.”

And while Ross closed out his high school career in fine fashion, Day is still looking to push herself the next few years to an even higher level.

“I still have a long way to go,” she said.

Boys

Runner of the Year - Loring Ross, Niceville

First team

Loring Ross, Niceville

Tom Reho, Niceville

Zak Boston, Navarre

Hamilton Boykin, Navarre

Hunter Boykin, Navarre

Mike Sinkey, Choctaw

Ben Chastain, FWB

Dylan Schroeder, Niceville

Honorable mention:

Baker: Chad Lawhon, John Scott

Choctawhatchee: Mykal Bailey, Chris Elkins, Matthew Bell

Crestview: Jacob Gourlie, Dylan Brown

Fort Walton Beach: Sam Ammons, Cody Skarupa, Matt Bevil

Freeport: Jamey Goddin, Dalton Morrison

Navarre: Chase Day, Dustin Longhenry

Niceville: Christian Ritacco, Mychal McLean, Michael Cooper

Paxton: Jason Findley, Tyler Garrett, Dan Geoghagan

Rocky Bayou Christian: Steve Berry, Josh Molyneux, Luke Lennon

South Walton: Wells Buzzett, Austin Buzzett

Walton: Daniel King

Girls

Runner of the Year - Lauren Day

First team

Lauren Day, Crestview

Lauren Escbach, Niceville

Morgan Keel, Niceville

Holly Stanton, RBCS

Karyssa Tourelle-Fallon, Navarre

Erin Gallagher, FWB

Iolani Scanlan, FWB

Amber Barbaresi, Choctaw

Honorable mention:

Baker: Erin Grundol

Choctawhatchee: Tiana Rodriguez, Lisa Spikes

Crestview: Sabrina King, Taylor Polk

Fort Walton Beach: Kristin Homer, Sarah DeVaux, Ashley Bridgford, Julia Uthmeier

Freeport: Brittany Kitch

Navarre: Kristen Cross, Sabrina Seignemartin, Mallory Beck, Karlee Tyler

Niceville: Ashley Calhoun, Abby McCool, Katie Pfieffer

Paxton: Krysten Cuchens, Laura Ashley Anderson

Rocky Bayou Christian: Korie Schaeffler, Elizabeth Berry, Christy Allen, Katie Brown

South Walton: Julie Williamson, Jessie Taylor, Kendall Brown, Malorie Leach, Katherine Register

Walton: Shelby Rushing, Lindsey Phillips