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Nesi ninth, Kelley 11th in Bolles-strong district

By Randy Lefko
Posted 10/31/18

ORANGE PARK – Ridgeview High’s dynamic duo seniors of Joel Nesi and Keith Kelley did what they could to push the Panthers to a top four team finish at the district 4-2A cross country …

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Nesi ninth, Kelley 11th in Bolles-strong district


Posted

ORANGE PARK – Ridgeview High’s dynamic duo seniors of Joel Nesi and Keith Kelley did what they could to push the Panthers to a top four team finish at the district 4-2A cross country championships held Wed., Oct. 24 at Ridgeview High School.

“We knew Bolles would get at least the top five because they are so deep,” said Nesi. “We wanted to get three guys in the top 16 and have enough points to get into the top four teams that go to regions.”

The plan nearly worked as Bolles controlled the top six places behind winner Charles Hicks, a senior, who won in 16 minutes, 3.55 seconds ahead of two teammates at 16:19 and change with Nesi hanging in for a ninth place finish in 17:18.61 and Kelley having one of his best finishes of the year to take 11th in 17:40.04.

From there, the plan was nearly flawless still except for a few factors; a 17th place finish from juior Jose Paolo Miguel Garcia in 18:07.81 and just six full teams in the field that dropped the advancing number from four teams to just the top three.

“There wasn’t enough teams; more than six, for a top four finish to advance; just top three today and Providence beat us by one point for third place; 79-80,” said Nesi. “If I pass one of the two Episcopal guys in front of me; if Keith, who ran a great race, gets one and if Paolo gets one, we’re third. We had a lot of close finishes for our fourth and fifth guys and, in cross country, those finishes are critical, especially for one more point. I think one team had their fifth guy not run and that is what hurt us. I’m proud of the team though for putting it out there against three private schools with real deep programs.”

Bolles wound up with a 1-6 finish for 15 team points with Bishop Kenny putting five runners in the top 20 to take second with 68 and Episcopal getting third at 79.

Also finishing was Clay newcomer Carlton Waiguru, a sophomore, who took 32nd in 18:59.57 in his first season under coach Randy Burch. Clay fielded just three runners with Luke Bybee getting 44th in 20:20.83 and Jackson Green getting 57th in 26:58.77. Ridgeview’s other finishers were Dominick Frietze, a sophomore, in 22nd at 18:27.15; freshman Lucas Bisson, 23rd at 18:36.43; senior Elias Perez, 26th at 18:42.11; senior Charles Click, 34th at 19:37.04; senior Lucas Cathey, 42nd at 19:59.52 and senior Christopher Mickel, 47th at 20:44.92.

In the girls race, Ridgeview’s girls, led by Anna Magruder’s 28th place finish in 23:43.5.22, to a fourth place team finish also behind Bolles who won with 15 points. In first place, Bolles’ Elizabeth Csikai won in 19:28.6 with Bolles taking the top seven spots. Episcopal was second, Bishop Kenny third and Ridgeview fourth with Clay; led by Madisyn Blackburn’s 33rd place in 24:48.3, finished sixth as the final team.

Also for Ridgeview were Alyssa Cheong, 36th in 25:08.5, Hayley Schaefer, 38th in 25:52.3, Katy Anferova, 40th in 26:20.7, Cephora Michel, 42nd in 26:46.4, Kylie Edosada, 46th in 27:13.2 and Alisia Williamson, 49th in 27:29.7.

For Clay, also competing were Annalee Clay, 37thin 25:09.0, Ulyana Damme, 44th in 27:02.1, Arieal Mota, 48th in 27:26.9 and Dallana Ramirez, 58th in 34:00.0.

The region 1-2A championship race is scheduled for Sat., Nov. 3 at the Cecil Field New World Golf Course in Jacksonville.