Bishop Moore ninth grader Annabella Tomasic captured her second state title at the FHSAA cross country state championships in Tallahassee on November 4, 2023. Tomasic finished the 5,000-meter race with an impressive time of 17 minutes, 35.5 seconds, securing victory in the Class 3A final by a margin of 31 seconds over Celina Coryell, a senior from Satellite, who clocked in at 18:06.3. This performance marked the fastest girls’ time of the day across all classifications, solidifying Tomasic’s dominance in the sport.
This season has been remarkable for Tomasic, who has won all seven races she has entered. Last year, she claimed the 2A championship as a seventh grader and finished third in her eighth-grade year, despite dealing with injuries. After switching from Lake Highlander to Bishop Moore, Tomasic led her new team to a commendable third-place finish in the team standings, with Chiles of Tallahassee taking first and Ponte Vedra securing second.
Strong Performance by Will Moss
In the boys’ competition, Will Moss, a junior from Montverde Academy, decisively won the 2A title with a time of 15:35.3. This victory was particularly notable as Moss improved significantly from the previous year when he finished 29th with a time of 16:53.5. His performance exemplifies his growth and determination in the sport.
The boys’ 4A championship saw the Oviedo team, previously favored after a strong showing against the reigning champion Buchholz of Gainesville, fall short. Buchholz turned the tables with a commanding performance, scoring 58 points to Oviedo’s 103. The Lions led through the two-mile mark but could not maintain their advantage as Buchholz finished strong. Axel Sallault from East Ridge took second place individually with a time of 15:27.5.
Other notable finishes included Jacob Finch from Horizon, who placed sixth with a time of 15:48.0, and Colin Aysun, a senior from Oviedo, who finished seventh at 15:54.8. Matthew Rutan, a senior from Lake Nona, rounded out the top ten, clocking in at 15:59.9, just ahead of Oviedo junior Levi Mollica, who matched that time.
Team Standings and Individual Highlights
In the team standings for the boys’ 4A category, Hagerty finished fifth and East Ridge seventh. For the girls’ competition in 4A, East Ridge secured fourth place, while Lake Minneola placed tenth. Individual performances included Arabella Duffell, a sophomore from Lake Nona, who finished ninth with a time of 18:36.6. In the 2A category, Cecelia Lear, a sophomore from Mount Dora, finished seventh with a time of 18:55.6.
Montverde Academy finished seventh in the team race, while Lake Highland Prep’s boys placed tenth in 2A. Additionally, in the 1A category, Master’s Academy finished eighth in the girls’ race, and Circle Christian’s boys also secured eighth place.
Tomasic and Moss’s exceptional performances at the FHSAA state championships showcase their talent and dedication, setting a high standard for future competitions.