September 20, 2026
A few short words
To give more time to the race recaps this week, I am going with just a few quotes from Coach Jay Johnson. Keep that second one in mind when you get to the Varsity Boys Race Recap:
"Show me a program where the varsity runners cheer on the JV runners, and I'll show you a team that will be at the state meet for years to come"
“Rather than focusing on your race time, focus on passing the person in front of you and helping your team score. ...and when you keep passing people in front of you, the chance that you'll like your finish time goes up"
CRAIG SPEZIALE HOME MEET:
We had a great rush of signups last week, but still need more! We are just 13 days away from hosting the 13th annual Craig Speziale Invite and we still have over 50 spots left to be filled!
Some specific categories we are low in:
🅿️ PARKING — The Traffic Director
Like being in charge? This is your jam! 😎 Help direct traffic and keep cars moving smoothly into our three parking lots. You’ll be part of the action, get to meet other Shark parents, and—best of all—our parking crew is a mix of Varsity, JV, and Middle School parents, so you can step away to catch your child’s race!
🌭 CONCESSIONS — The Action Station
Come hang out by the football field, help keep everyone fueled, and catch the runners as they make their turn toward the finish! 🏃♀️🏃♂️ You’ll have a front-row seat to the excitement while working alongside a fun mix of Varsity, JV, and Middle School parents. Plus, you can step away to watch your child race!
🎟️ ADMISSIONS — The Easy Button
If you can use an iPad, you can do this! 😉 Help check people in and welcome everyone to the meet from a spot near the final stretch. You’ll be close to the action and working with a mix of Varsity, JV, and Middle School parents, so you can step away to cheer on your runner when they race!
📣 COURSE MONITORS — The Ultimate Cheer Squad
Want the best seat in the house without actually being in the stands? This is it! 🙌 Station yourself along the course and cheer on ALL of our Sharks as they race by. Bring a chair, a cup of coffee, and enjoy the race while helping keep our athletes on course. Easy, relaxed, and tons of fun!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Speed, Coach Keith, Coach Coy, or Stephanie Marciani - 203-623-2502 or [email protected].
Please click to sign up here:Please click to sign here:
Pasta Party Friday! 
We’re excited
to get together this Friday, September 25th, for another PVXC Team
Pasta Party, hosted by the Halvorsen Family! 
Friday,
September 25th
5:30–7:00 PM
Plantation
Oaks Clubhouse
130 Bay Cove Drive, PVB
Runners: Come
hungry, bring your own hydration, and bring your best manners! 
A simple please and thank
you goes a long way, and helping clean up after yourself is even
better. These dinners are for athletes and coaches only, unless you
are a parent volunteer.
Driving
to the party? Please carpool when possible. Athletes should park at
the Publix at the roundabout and walk into the neighborhood.
Parking at the clubhouse is limited and reserved for coaches and parent
volunteers. The neighborhood gate code will be shared the day of the party.
A huge THANK
YOU to Michelle Halvorsen for hosting our team! 
And thank you to Bridget
Barket, Ryan Busch, Melissa Issa, Tracy Hartman for helping make the evening
happen!
One more
reminder: PVXC pasta parties are fully catered and funded by our
amazing business and family sponsors. We are incredibly grateful for the
support that makes these team dinners possible! 
Varsity Boys Battle to Runner-Up Finish at Katie Caples Invitational
The varsity boys delivered a strong team performance Saturday at the Katie Caples Invitational, placing second in the Boys Elite 5K with 69 points.
The race was ultimately decided by a tiebreaker. The boys 69-point total put the us level with Buchholz for the team championship. Buchholz ultimately took first through the tiebreaker, with its sixth runner finishing ahead of our sixth runner. The boys finished ahead of several of Northeast Florida’s top programs, including Bishop Kenny, Creekside, St. Augustine and Fletcher.
Despite missing the team title by the narrowest possible margin, the boy’s performance showed impressive depth and pack racing against a highly competitive field.
With three runners under 17:05, five inside the top 30, and seven under 18:00, the boys put together one of the strongest team performances of the meet.
There were five boys in the Top 30. Luke Ross led the way, running an outstanding 16:24 to finish 5th overall. He was followed closely by a strong pack of: Colin Bovee (11th, 16:55), Aiden Killoran (13th, 17:04), Logan Hunt (23rd, 17:21) and Nathaniel Marciani (29th, 17:38).
Our next two runners across the line showed the team's depth with: Liam Heffernan (42nd, 17:56) and Hayden Busch (43rd, 17:57). Both runners earned Highlight of the Race honors, each breaking the 18-minute barrier for the first time and setting new personal 5K best.
The five scoring runners averaged 17:05, while the spread from the team's first runner to fifth runner was just 1:14.
By the Numbers
17-minute Barrier: Luke Ross (16:24), Colin Bovee (PR-16:55)
18-minute Barrier: Aiden Killoran (17:04), Logan Hunt (17:21), Nathaniel Marciani (17:38), Liam Heffernan (PR-17:56) and Hayden Busch (PR-17:57)
🦈 Ponte Vedra JV Boys Finish 3rd Overall -Recap by Coach Coy:
The Ponte Vedra High School JV Boys Cross Country team delivered a strong performance at this week’s meet, finishing 3rd overall with 53 points.
The Sharks showed impressive depth and consistency throughout the race, placing all five scoring runners in the top 15 and putting seven runners in the top 23.
Leading the way was Rafe Lommel, who ran an outstanding 18:36 to finish 5th overall. Cooper Murray followed with a strong 19:03, placing 9th, while Henry Ronsman continued the team’s strong front pack with a 19:18 and a 10th-place finish.
The Sharks’ fourth and fifth runners, Camden McCooey and Camden Chatraw, finished nearly together in 19:28 and 19:29, respectively, placing 14th and 15th.
The depth continued with Lucas Kaminsky, who ran 19:52 to finish 18th, and Zachary Chigounis, who crossed the line in 20:17 for 23rd.
The Numbers
- 3rd Place Team Finish
- 53 Team Points
- 5 runners in the Top 15
- 7 runners in the Top 23
- All 5 scoring runners under 19:30
- 53-second spread from the #1 to #5 runner
- 19:11 average for the five scoring runners
This race was another great step forward for our JV boys. The team demonstrated that they have both talent and depth, and the tight grouping at the front gives us plenty to build on as the season progresses.
Most importantly, this group continues to embrace what it means to be a Shark: All In – All Out – All Season.
The goal now is to keep working, keep improving, and continue closing the gap between our runners. Every second matters, and every runner has an opportunity to make this team stronger.
Great job, Sharks! Keep building. 🦈
JV Girls Race Recap by Coach Bella:
Our JV girls competed in their third meet of the season yesterday evening at the Katie Caples Invitational hosted by Bishop Kenny High School. Even in the late‑afternoon heat, the team brought great energy starting the race with a team huddle that set the tone for the day. The racing conditions were not ideal for this race with it starting in the heat of the day. Athletes navigated rocks, grass, sand, hills, and bridges, making this one of the more technical races we’ve seen so far. Despite the challenging conditions, our girls delivered an outstanding performance.
Leading the way was Lucy Lommel, who took control from the gun and never looked back. She ran the entire race solo, maintained an impressive lead, and still managed to drop a 23‑second PR. Right behind her was Layann Issa who ran a smart, steady race, moving up throughout the course to secure a fantastic 2nd‑place finish. Sasha Chandlee followed with a strong 6th‑place finish, rounding out a powerful top group for our team.
We also had a wave of PRs across the lineup. Regan Cook and Vera Velcio both earned new PRs, followed by Delaney Knecht, who cut an impressive six minutes off her previous best. Emily Pak and Madeline Makey crossed the line together, each earning a PR of their own. Additional PRs came from Saylor Kenning, Ella Puzy, Lainie Cadieu‑George, Ella Halvorsen, and Fatima Bellatin. This race served as a testament to the hard work these girls have been putting in at practice.
Overall, the JV girls earned a strong 2nd‑place team finish. We’re proud of their resilience and growth, and we’re excited to see what they bring to the line next weekend at Bale & Trail.
Varsity Girls Show Continued Progress Against Elite Field– Recap by Coach Browning
Piper Ross lead the team for the 2nd time this season, with a 9th place finish while Savannah LaVasser, Olivia Kaminsky followed closely behind in 13th and 21st places overall. Rounding out the team’s scoring were Rio Ossi and Phoebe Litwack in 35th and 41st place.
This race featured the most talent-rich field the team has competed against this season. To put this in perspective, our runners were each 61s faster on average than during their season-opening win at Spikes and Spurs. The girls were 12s faster on average than at Horse Park, and even more impressively that top 5 had a spread of just 1 minute and 19 seconds! Equally impressive is the spread of our top 7 finishers which is down from 3:10 at the start of the season to 2:05.
Despite a delayed start that kept the girls on the starting line for nearly half an hour Piper Ross and Giana Dreckman both managed PR’s, with Giana winning a finish line sprint against 2 Creekside opponents!
By the Numbers:
- Giana Dreckman 21:39 >>> 21:31 8s PR
- Piper Ross 19:40 >>> 19:20 20s PR
- 3 Runners <21:00 - Phoebe Litwack, Cailyn Douglas, Rio Ossa
- 3 Runners <20:00 – Piper Ross, Savannah LaVasser, Olivia Kaminsky
