PENNEY FARMS - Fleming Island High cross country runner Graham Myers took a ride to Penney Farms on Saturday to maybe ease his running mind and came home with a swift 15-minute, 31-second win at the Penney Farms 5K.

For most of the area high schoolers, the Ponte Vedra Craig Speziale Invitational at Ponte Vedra High School was the final destination prior to districts. Twelve-year-old Kate Staten won the Penney Farms 5K women's title in 23:34.

In the boy's race, dominated by St.Johns County powerhouses Creekside, Bartram Trail and host Ponte Vedra, Alejandro Vinas of Bishop Kenny won in 15:52 ahead of Creekside's Jack Zurn, runnerup in 16:13.

Fleming Island's Jacob Campbell, a critical piece of the puzzle for the Golden Eagles region and state aspirations as a top five finisher for coach Dave Allen and Jason Poole, was the top area finisher in 13th place in 16:48 with John Keester IV, the top finisher for the Golden Eagles as of late, cruising in at 20th in 17:02.

Clay got another strong finish from Noah Looney who clocked a 17:17 for 27th.

Fleming Island finished fifth behind winner Ponte Vedra and runner-up Bartram Trail.

For the girl's race, Creekside's freshman sensation, Alyson Johnson punched up an 18:02 to outrun Daisy Ross of Ponte Vedra, just 11 seconds away.

For Fleming Island, sophomore Brooke Reynolds nabbed a 12th-place finish in 19:16 one of her fastest splits of the season and at a good point in the season with districts this week. Allie Knotts followed Reynolds in at 20:07 for 22nd.

Clay's duo of Erika Martinez and Kaygen Williamson finished together again with both clocking 21:36 for 53rd and 54th.

District lineups

Class 4A, Region 1, District 1

Oakleaf; also Buchholz (Girls 4A champs 2022, Boys 7th), Creekside (Boys 4A champs 2022, Girls 4th in 4A), Chiles (Boys 11th 4A 2022), Nease (Boys 9th 4A, Girls 18th 4A 2022)

Districts Sat., Nov. 4 at Santa Fe College, hosted by Buchholz (9 a.m. girls start, boys 9:30 a.m.)

Class 3A, Region 1, District 2

Fleming Island (Boys 3rd in 3A 2022, Girls 8th), Clay, Orange Park, Ridgeview, Middleburg; also Ponte Vedra (Boys 10th in 3A, Girls 3rd 2022)), Matanzas (Boys 31st), St. Augustine (Girls 6th in 3A)

Districts Sat., Nov. 4 at Ponte Vedra High School (8:30 a.m. girls start, boys 9 a.m.)

Class 2A, Region 1, District 2

Keystone Heights; also Episcopal (Boys 24th 2022, Girls 2nd), Bishop Kenny (Boys 3rd 2022, Girls 4th), Bolles (Boys 1A champs, Girls 1A champs 2022), Fernandina Beach (Girls 27th)

Districts: Mon., Oct. 30 at Bishop Kenny (5 pm)

Class 1A, Region 1, District 2

St. Johns Country Day School (Girls 27th 2022); also Bishop Snyder, Maclay (Girls 4th 2022, Boys 16th), Providence (Girls 8th 2022, Boys 7th), St. Joseph Academy

Districts: Tues., Oct. 31 in Tallahassee Appalachee Park

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