The Daytona State Falcons captured three titles at the 2022 Region 8 Cross Country Championships. The men’s team won their fourth title in five years, with Sebastian Hernandez taking the individual title with a time of 25:34. Then an hour later, Shannon Jones captured the women’s title with a time of 19:25 for the 5k distance. Both runners set new course records for the Region 8 Championship.
Hernandez was joined by Christian Ruocco, runner up in the race, freshman Jared Falchook, who placed 4th overall, and Julian Pomales, 6 place. All earned All Region awards. Rounding out the Falcon top seven was freshman Jayven Garcia, sophomore Mitchell Curtis, and sophomore Jonathan Reyes.
Comments from Coach Judy Wilson: “The men’s race went out somewhat slower than at our previous meets. Although this meet is incredibly important in meaning, it is not a large field. There were 43 runners, and sometimes in a small race like that it is harder to get into a groove. But we did what we needed to do and now we are focused on nationals on November 12th”.
On the women’s side, Jones helped pull the women to a runner up spot in the team standings. Jones was joined by sophomore Harleigh Crist, and freshman Giovana Meade who finished 3rd and 7th respectively, earning All Region awards as well. Rounding out the top 7 for the falcons was 1st year runner Jonna-Marie Kirk and finished 19th overall. Alexis Mills finished in 31st place followed closely by Kennedy Arterburn in 32nd place and Sofia Azzollini in 34th place.
Comments from coach Judy Wilson: “I was very happy for Harleigh as she battled through some injuries the last few weeks, but still pulled off a great effort. I can’t say enough about Giovana and what she has accomplished this year, earning All Region is just icing on the cake. Jonna-Marie Kirk races hard and is learning something new every race. Alexis, Kennedy, and Sofia have just done a great job all season working hard and getting better.”
Coach Judy Wilson was named Men’s Region 8 Coach of the Year. This was her fourth award in the last five years.
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