News Summary

The East Ridge High School boys cross-country team excelled at the 3rd Annual FCA XC Preseason Invitational, securing first place amongst over 20 participating teams. Stellar performances included seven runners finishing in the top 20, led by Axel Sallault with an impressive time of 16:58. Other standout performances from teammates contributed to a strong showing, demonstrating the team’s commitment and preparation as they look forward to their next challenge at the Cecil Field Summer Classic in Jacksonville.

East Ridge High School Boys Cross Country Team Dominates at FCA XC Preseason Invitational

Clermont, Florida — It’s a great day for the East Ridge High School boys cross-country team, who recently showed off their skills at the _3rd Annual FCA XC Preseason Invitational_ held at the beautiful Southern Hill Farms. This event attracted over 20 high school cross-country teams from across the state, making it *one of the most significant season openers* for Florida cross-country programs this year.

The East Ridge boys team absolutely *smashed it* this time around, taking home first place in what was an exciting competition full of [athletic prowess](https://example.com). The team’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, with an impressive seven runners finishing in the top 20 to help secure their win. This shows just how much hard work and determination went into their training.

Leading the pack was none other than Axel Sallault, who returned to defend his championship title. He crossed the finish line at an astounding time of 16:58, easily outperforming the second-place runner by over 23 seconds. It was quite a sight to see him pull ahead, especially as he initially faced stiff competition from teammate Caleb Walker during the first mile. In the end, Walker secured a third-place finish with a time of 17:28.

But the great news doesn’t stop there! Watson Dunham also dazzled on the challenging course, completing the race in 17:33 and achieving a *personal best*, marking an almost three-minute improvement from last year’s FCA Pre-Season race. He truly showcased his dedication and skill.

Meanwhile, Aubin Sallault, Axel’s younger brother, stepped up big time too! The sophomore finished with an impressive time of 17:54, which is about two minutes faster than he did in last year’s event, proving that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Just a hair behind him was freshman Jonahel Vazquez, wrapping up his race at 17:59, contributing even more to the East Ridge’s outstanding performance.

Adding to the team’s strong finish, senior Gustavo Vargas clinched sixth place with a time of 18:04. This was over 20 seconds faster than his performance last year, showing great progress. Senior Dylan McCleary also made strides, finishing seventh in 19:23, marking a thirty-second improvement. The *newcomer of the team*, Clayton Smith, finished at 28th place, clocking in at 19:48, while junior Tyce Ertel came in at 36th with a time of 20:18.

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s even more to celebrate! Senior Daniel Baggett made his varsity debut, finishing the race in 20:41, which was nearly five minutes faster than his result from the previous year’s FCA race. That’s some serious progress!

The Junior Varsity East Ridge team showed impressive talent as well, finishing fourth overall. They narrowly missed out on third place, but they certainly held their own. Gavan Flaugher led the JV team, finishing fifth overall in 21:52. Other team members who contributed included James Laack and Ethan Laack, who finished at 23:48 and 24:19, respectively. The team also featured Christopher Stuemke, Eli Parks, Scott Bori, Andrew Conway, Isaac Bori, and Owen Degges, all showcasing their improving times.

As exciting as this competition was, the East Ridge High School cross-country teams aren’t slowing down anytime soon. They are gearing up for their next challenge at the Cecil Field Summer Classic scheduled to take place in Jacksonville. With this fiery start to the season, it’s definitely going to be a thrill to see how they continue to perform!

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