September 7, 2026
This quote should be a reminder that talent is only a part of the equation in Cross Country. None of us gets to choose how much natural ability we have but we can choose how we prepare: how we train, how we respond to challenges and how seriously we take the small things that happen both in training and on race day.
That preparation is often what separates two athletes with similar talent and leads them to very different places when the race is over.
As we recap our accomplishments, both for the team and individuals, it's important to remember that the results we're celebrating represent much more than what happened on race day. Every PR, every breakthrough, every strong team finish, and every athlete who stepped up when the team needed them most is evidence of preparation paying off.
The achievement is the outcome. Preparation is what made it possible.
Coach Browning
13th annual Craig Speziale Invite
We are just 27 days away from hosting the 13th annual Craig Speziale Invite!! On Saturday, October 3rd our community comes together as parent volunteers to pull off one of the premiere meets in NE Florida. New this year is the addition of the middle school division and we look forward to cheering on the Landrum Lions!
There are over 100 volunteer positions to be filled!!!! Keep in mind when your runner will be racing as we want to make sure volunteers get to cheer on their runners. When signing up, please comment which race your athlete is running (Varsity, JV, or Middle School) so that the positions are filled by representatives from all divisions. (Please note all seniors will race the varsity race.)
Please click to sign here:
Thank you in advance for your help! If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Marciani - 203-623-2502 or [email protected]
And with that out of the way, we are off to the races!
Girls Varsity Recap by Coach Browning and Coach Lydia
After finishing 6th as a team at the Horse Park Invitational last year, the Ponte Vedra varsity girls made a huge jump this year, finishing 3rd overall out of 49 scoring teams- just 7 points behind 2nd place. The field featured nearly 400 girls from programs across Florida, making the team’s podium finish an impressive early-season statement. The girls showed that they are ready to compete at a high level in their class this season, with 7 of the top 15 teams being in our 3A class.
Horse Park veterans Cailyn Douglas, Rio Ossi and Mary Chase Fender all improved on their times from last year’s race. First-timers Piper Ross and Lucy Lommel joined veterans Olivia Kaminsky, Phoebe Litwack, Savannah LaVasser , Bobbie Ross and Harlee Howton, all opening their seasons, to help the team in its strong finish
Despite the heat and humidity, the girls put together quite a few individual accomplishments. Cailyn matched her Personal Record while Mary Chase and Lucy set new ones. Savannah and Piper, running as a pack through the first miles, battled for the top two spots on the team. Rounding out the top 5 were Cailyn, Rio and Olivia. You can watch a video of the race here.
🎉Congratulations on these new and matched PRs:
Cailyn Douglas: 20:06 Tie
Mary Chase Fender: 20:58 --> 20:50
Lucy Lommel: 22:20 --> 22:17
Girls JV Recap by Coach Browning
The JV girls finished 4th place out of 25 teams, continuing PV’s excellent day even as they faced the toughest weather conditions of the meet.
Led by the only race veteran, Giana Dreckman, all the other JV girls made the most of their debut, with Taylor Bestic even managing a new PR!
The team’s top finish belonged to Giana, who fought all the way and held off a late charge in the long final stretch for 3 rd overall. Layann Issa followed just 16 seconds behind in 8 th place.
Charlotte Somppi, Reese Monteiro, Anna Graves, Finley Vadeboncoeur, Anderson Hall, Ava Rihlmann and Nora Rubocki rounded out the efforts, with all 10 girls finishing in the top 25% of the field! You can watch a video of the race here.
🎉 New PR
Taylor Bestic, 25:08 --> 24:47
Boys JV Recap provided by Coach Sean
The JV Boys had an amazing weekend at the 13th Annual Florida Horse Park Invitational this past Saturday!
As a team overall, the boys crushed it by going out as a pack and then racing strong through the back half of the race.
Fearless leader Hayden Busch (SO) finished 23rd by running a new personal best and cutting off over a minute and a half from his last time at the Spikes and Spurs Invite! Pushing him to the finish and only a tenth of a second behind him was Ben Kimber (FR), who cut off over a minute from his previous personal best at Spikes and Spurs.
Continuing the streak of personal bests was Cooper Murray (SO) in 43rd, who cut over a minute off his previous year's best.
Camden McCooey (JR), Camden Chatraw (SR), Henry Ronsman (SO), and Boyd Worz (JR) worked hard the whole race, even after their pack separated, and finished strong despite the hot conditions.
Following them with two amazing personal bests were Tyler McLaughlin (JR) and freshman Ethan Lavasser . Ethan, who despite having to step in at the last minute, delivered an absolutely clutch race!
Rounding it out was David Lawrence (JR), who has been working his tail off and fought to the end of the race.
All these strong efforts got the boys a 5th-place finish out of 41 scored teams.
Great work Sharks! Let’s keep the ball rolling! You can watch a video of the race here.
Congratulations on these new and matched PRs:
Cooper Murray 19:00 --> 18:42
Tyler McLauglin 20:27 --> 20:14
Ethan LaVasser 20:57 --> 20:24 33 seconds!
Ben Kimber 19:23 --> 18:03 80 seconds!
Hayden Busch 19:26 --> 18:03 83 seconds!
