Local Sports

Pacing the field

Photos

Mark Pinson | Highlands Today
Published: January 6, 2013

Lake Placid's Dalton Shelton has been a force in his three years of running cross-country. The Green Dragon junior has the stamina and speed to run at the front of the pack and stay there to the finish line.

Shelton had a personal-best time of 16:06 at the North Port Invitational and placed second at the Class 2A-District 8 meet with a time of 16:50.

The talented Green Dragon runner finished 16th at the Class 2A-Region 2 meet in a time of 17:52.30, and just missed qualifying for the state meet despite being sick before and during the race.

"Dalton has a lot of ability and a great work ethic," said Lake Placid cross-country coach Scott Morgan. "He has good speed, excellent endurance and is only going to get better.

"If he hadn't gotten sick he would have easily qualified for state."

For his ability and accomplishments, Shelton has been named, for the second time, the 2012 Highlands Today All-Highlands Boys Cross-Country Runner of the Year.

"It means a lot to be selected as the Runner of the Year," Shelton said. "I worked very hard to improve my technique and times.

"I enjoy running and being up front and my goal is to make it to state next season."

The Team:

Eric Foster, sophomore, Sebring: Foster had a best time of 17:04 for the Blue Streaks. Foster finished third at the Class 3A-District 7 meet with a time of 17:21.91 to help Sebring finish second to qualify for regionals.

"Eric is a hard worker and has a great attitude," said Sebring boys cross-country coach Renee Marin. "He overcame a lot of injuries and is a real competitor."

Logan Lashley, freshman, Avon Park: Lashley made quite an impact his first year of cross-country by qualifying for regionals.

Lashley came in 12th place at the Class 2A-District 8 meet with a time of 18:23.70 and the Red Devil runner finished 47th at the Class 2A-Region 2 meet in a time of 18:55.30.

"Logan has a lot of ability and had a great season for us," said Avon Park boys cross-country coach Don Hickman. "To qualify for regionals is very impressive; he's a very determined competitor and has a bright future."

Jose Santana, senior, Lake Placid: Santana showed steady improvement and lowered his time by almost six minutes to the low 19s for the Green Dragons.

"Jose is very athletic and had a solid season for us," Morgan said. "He improved with every race he competed in."

Saul Marentes, sophomore, Sebring: Marentes was a solid performer for the Blue Streaks and finished 50th at the Class 3A-District 7 meet with a time of 20:53.59.

"Saul was very consistent during the season," said Marin. "He always gave a solid effort and should be even better next year"

Juan Patino, junior, Avon Park: Patino showed plenty of improvement during the season for the Red Devils. Patino finished 34th at the district meet with a time of 21:19.35.

"Juan was a hard worker and gave a solid effort every time he competed," Hickman said.

Tim Koning, freshman, Sebring: Koning came on strong and finished 17th at the district meet with a time of 18:29.25.

"Tim dropped his time every single meet he competed in," Marin said. "He is a hard worker and is only going to get better."

Ray Torres, freshman, Avon Park: Torres came on strong and finished 21st at the district meet with a time of 19:37.06.

"Ray improved a lot during the season," Hickman said. "He has a bright future and should be a force next year for us."

Grey Lawrence, senior, Sebring: Lawrence was 19th at the district meet with a time of 19:19.76.

"Grey was our only senior and a team leader," Marin said. "He gave a solid effort every time he competed and was a great example for the other guys."

Chase Langston, freshman, Avon Park: Langston was another solid runner for the Red Devils and finished 28th at the district meet with a time of 20:53.19.

"Chase is a hard worker and wants to improve," Hickman said. "We have a good nucleus of runners coming back, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish next year."

Andrew Rivera, sophomore, Sebring: Rivera came on strong during the season and finished 27th at the district meet with a time of 19:18.43 for the Blue Streaks.

"Andrew surprised me this season by dropping so much time," Marin said. "He is very determined to improve and has a bright future in the sport."

Honorable Mention:

Wesley Koning, sophomore, Sebring: Koning was 13th at the district meet with a time of 18:09.52 for the Blue Streaks. Koning ran a 17:56 at the regional meet.

"Wesley came on strong this season and became my number two runner," Marin said. "He should be a force for us next year."

Damian Foster, sophomore, Sebring: Foster had a solid season and finished 28th at the district meet with a time of 19:18:89.

"Damian did really well this season," Marin said. "He had a best time of 17:36 and is a hard worker."

Coach of the Year:

For guiding the Blue Streaks to a second-place finish at the district meet and 10th at regionals, Sebring's Renee Marin has been selected as the Highlands Today All-Highlands Boys Cross-Country Coach of the Year.