RUNNING ROYALS FINISH SEASON STRONG
The Running Royals successful Cross Country season came to an end at the FHSAA 1A Region 1 Championships on Saturday. But not before a few more personal best times were recorded for the Jay teams. The top 6 teams and 15 individuals advanced to the state championships to be held this weekend in Tallahassee.
The Lady Royals had two runners finish 17th and 18th place, just short of the state qualifying standard. Jillian Thornton led the Jay girls’ team with a time of 21:34. Freshman, Hannah Whitlock finished in 21:36. Thornton and Whitlock were the top 2 freshmen finishers in the girl’s regional race. Other Jay runners included: Junior Carsen Arrant (69th – 24:29), seventh grader Emma Barrow (82nd – 25:32), and junior Grace Gillman (94th – 26:35). The Jay Girls team finished 10th out of 24 represented schools in the FHSAA 1A Region 1.
On the boys side, out of 25 represented teams, the Royals finished 14th. The Royals were led by seventh grader Chance Thornton who finished 81st in 20:03. Senior Austin Gonzalez capped off a very consistent running career at Jay High, finishing 83rd with a time of 20:11. Junior Austin Lang (93rd – 20:44), seventh grader Jody Godwin (94th – 20:53), eight grader Jimmie Ates (99th – 21:47), and sophomore Jacob Gonzalez (113th – 24:46) rounded out the Royal finishers. Thornton and Godwin were the 2nd and 3rd fastest seventh graders in the FHSAA 1A Region 1 boy’s race.
“The boys improved on every level this season and I couldn’t be more proud of them. I wish them well in future seasons,” said Jay boys coach Matthew Dobson.
“The girls ran really hard today and finished strong. Every one of them ran their fastest times of the season,” added Jay girls coach Teresa Dobson.
Article by Teresa Dobson
