News Summary
The high school cross country season commenced with its inaugural meet at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, featuring ten local schools in a competitive atmosphere. Athletes showed remarkable performances in both boys and girls varsity races, highlighting emerging talents in the county. Leon High School demonstrated strong team finishes, setting a positive tone for the upcoming season as coaches and athletes look to improve in future meets.
Tallahassee, Florida – The high school cross country season kicked off on August 23, 2025, with the inaugural meet held at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. The event witnessed participation from ten schools across Leon County, marking a competitive start to the fall sports season.
The participating schools included Leon High School, Lincoln High School, Maclay School, St. John Paul II Catholic High School, Rickards High School, Godby High School, Christ Classical Academy (CCA), Community Leadership Academy (CLA), Tallahassee Classical School (TCS), and Community Christian School (CCS).
Varsity Boys Competition
In the varsity boys 5000 meter race, standout performances were recorded by several athletes. Jamarin Lane, a senior from Rickards High School, finished in 6th place with a time of 17:52.30. Close behind him, Erick Garcia, a junior from Godby High School, secured 7th place with a time of 17:56.90. Another notable competitor, Jeremy Collier, a senior from Community Christian School, finished 11th with a time of 18:24.00.
In terms of team performance, Leon High School effectively positioned themselves in the standings, achieving 4th place overall with a total of 96 points. Community Christian School closely followed, finishing in 5th place with 104 points.
Varsity Girls Competition
The varsity girls also showcased their skills in the 5000 meter race, with notable finishes from several runners. Tatum Hendon, a sophomore from Leon High School, emerged in 6th place, clocking a time of 23:16.80. Her teammate, senior Clifton Lewis, finished in 9th place, recording a time of 23:30.40. Freshman Brixton Menendez, also representing Leon, crossed the finish line in 17th place with a time of 24:32.50.
The team standings for the varsity girls race saw Leon High School claiming 3rd place with a total of 105 points, demonstrating a strong performance from the team.
Meet Significance
This cross country meet marks the beginning of the season for high school athletes in Leon County, providing them with an opportunity to compete and showcase their training efforts. The event not only brings together the different high schools but also promotes sportsmanship and community engagement among students and families.
The use of Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park as the venue is significant as it offers a scenic route for the runners, adding to the atmosphere of the competition. As the season progresses, athletes will continue to work towards improving their times and performances, building on the results from this inaugural meet.
Overall, the cross country meet has set a positive tone for the upcoming season, encouraging healthy competition and camaraderie among the participants. Coaches and athletes will likely reflect on this initial event as they move forward, aiming for personal and team achievements in the races ahead.
The next meet is anticipated with excitement as schools gear up to redefine their strategies and training protocols based on the performances observed during this opening event.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Reports: Leon County Hosts High School Cross Country Meet
- Seminoles: Women’s Cross Country Releases 2025 Schedule
- Tallahassee.com: Meet the All-Big Bend Cross Country Teams
- Wikipedia: Cross Country Running
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cross Country
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
