A big congratulations to 9 of our Boca Warrior Alumni as they advance to the 2023 Florida High School Cross Country Championship !
These Warriors put together great seasons for their respective High School Teams. Their performances and placements in this past week's Regional races earned them hard-to-get spots in this Friday's Florida High School State Cross Country Championship race in Tallahassee, Florida.
These 9 are a big part of the Warrior family, and ran with the Warriors during their elementary and middle school years. Some still train and race with us in the off-season, at events like the FLRunners PR XC Festival and the annual Boca Holiday Mile Run.
Podium Winners
(listed alphabetically. The top 15 overall individuals are medal winners in each Region)
Giovanni Garcia
Gio finished 13th overall in his Region, with a new PR of 17:08.50, and his team Atlantic Christian is heading to States also.
Gio was a critical part of the Warrior Boys' 2nd Place Middle School Championship team in 2021, with Scott and Will.
Isabella Kovacs
Isabella, running for Lake Worth Christian, placed 7th overall in her Region, with a new PR of 20:12.10. Isabella qualified for States as an individual, and was her team's top finisher. This is a big accomplishment as a 9th grader. Isabella had to place in the top 4 of all runners who were not part of a qualifying team.
Isabella is also one of our original Boca Warriors, and is part of the Warriors' 2021 Florida Girls' Middle School Championship team.
3rd photo credit: milesplit
Hunter Morgan
Hunter finished 6th overall in his Region, with his season-best time of 16:42.60.
Hunter's team, the South Florida Heat placed 1st is his Region, taking home the Region's Championship trophy.
Hunter is one of the original Boca Warriors, being there from day one, and has had great success throughout his time as a Warrior. Hunter is the current Warrior Boys' Middle School team record holder in the 3000m (Track). He is our senior Warrior, and has been a mentor and motivator to some of our younger runners.
Hunter, 4th from the left, top row
Will Moss
Will finished 7th overall, with a time of 17:05.60, and his team, Montverde Academy, finished 3rd out of 16 teams in his Region. Will finished his Region's race as the #2 runner on his powerful team. Will consistently runs in the 17's, and broke the 17 minute mark earlier this year with a time of 16:38.40.
Will is also part of the Warrior Boys' 2021 FLYRA 2nd Place Championship season, with Gio and Scott.
Scott Sanok
Scott placed 11th overall in his Region with a new PR of 17:01.30 & his team, Westminster Academy finished as Region Runner Ups to Hunter's team.
Scott is also part of the Warrior Boys' 2021 FLYRA 2nd Place Championship season (with Will and Gio). Scott is also the current Warrior Boys' Middle School team record holder in the 3000m (cross country) and 1500m (track).
Victoria Stern
Tori, with West Boca High School, finished 10th overall, in her Region's race, and earned her a spot in this year's State Championship as an individual qualifier (that's not easy!).
Tori's time was her team's top finishing time, and she placed in the top 4 of all runners who were not part of a qualifying team.
More Warriors headed to States
(listed alphabetically)
Jett, Alex and Gabby are also headed to The 2023 Florida State High School Cross Country Championship as important members of their high school teams. These 3 are some of the youngest runners on their high school team, and are already having an impact and great success.
In order for a team to qualify for States, they must have all of their top 7 runners run exceptional races. The competition is fierce and teams must finish high in their District, and then Region races, in order to advance to the State Championship.
Gabrielle Cardenas
Gabby is part of the powerhouse Spanish River High School team, who are always in contention for team awards. Gabby's run was important to helping her team finish 2nd in her Region and advancing to States also. Gabby is one of the youngest runners on her team, but she is already a member of the team's starting 7.
Gabby is #186, 5th from the left, bottom row
2nd photo credit: milesplit
Alexandra Palekar
Alex, placed 3rd on her team, and her placement and team points earned were critical to powering her team, American Heritage (Plantation) to a 5th place overall finish. Her strong finish ensured her team is heading to States. Way to go Alex!
Alex is part of the Warriors' 2021 Florida Girls' Middle School Championship team, and is the Warrior Middle School Girls' current record holder in the 3000m (cross country) and 3000m (track).
Jett Weitzen
Jett runs with FAU High School, and has consistently run under 20 minutes this season. His team points were critical to his team placing 6th overall in his Region, and securing a place at States.
Jett is the youngest member of his high school team, but he has already earned a spot on the team's starting 7. Great job Jett!
The Boca Warriors first year was 2019, and our first club race was the AAU Gold Coast District Qualifier 2019. In just 4 years, our team has won numerous team and individual awards. We are now proudly watching many of our athletes take their next steps into high school; and the foundation Coach Crate and the Warrior team has laid for them is evident in their successes.
If you have practiced and run with the Warrior team, and are now running in high school or college, we would love to hear your success story. Contact Coach here to let us know.