Bobcat Classic to draw over 530 runners

More than 530 runners from 23 high school cross country teams will compete in the annual Buchholz Bobcat Classic on Saturday at the SF College NW Campus.

The meet is the largest prep cross country race of the season in Alachua County. The varsity boys race starts at 7:15 a.m. followed by the varsity girls at 7:45 a.m. Parking is free and there will be a $5 fee for spectators. Results can be found after the race by clicking here.

For the boys, Buchholz senior Emerson Miller enters with the top time of 15 minutes, 34 seconds. Oak Hall senior Caden Montini (Class 1A No. 5 ranked), Bobcat teammate Mason Kawaja (4A No. 5 ranked) and Matanzas senior Zach Spooner will be his main competition. Miller ranked No. 1 in 4A, will be looking for his first win after finishing second last year.

The 4A fourth-ranked Bobcats boys will look to capture their first team title of the season. Buchholz won last year’s Bobcat Classic team title.

Buchholz senior Kate Drummond (4A- No. 2 ranked) is the top entrant with a time of 18:55 this season. Junior teammates Lucy Voss (4A- No 4) and Emma White (4A-No. 5) along with Oak Hall senior Sydney Miller (1A-No. 11), will contend for the top spot. Drummond won last year’s Bobcat Classic race.

The 4A fourth-ranked Bobcats are picked to win the title over Episcopal and Oak Hall. The Bobcats, the defending 4A state champs, will look to run their top five from last year’s team as sophomore Ashley Hamilton is scheduled to run her first race of the season. The Bobcats won last year’s girls’ team title at the meet.

Team entries (area teams in bold):

BOYS
Bell
Branford
Buchholz
Columbia
Dr. Phillips
Eastside
Episcopal
Forest
Gainesville
Mandarin
Matanzas
Newberry
North Marion
Oak Hall
P.K. Yonge
Peniel Baptist
Santa Fe
Spruce Creek
St. Francis Catholic Academy
West Port

GIRLS
Bell
Branford
Buchholz
Columbia
Dr. Phillips
Eastside
Fleming Island
Forest
Fort White
Gainesville
Matanzas
North Marion
Oak Hall
P.K. Yonge
Peniel Baptist
Santa Fe
Seabreeze
Spruce Creek
St. Johns Country Day
University
West Port