The Ponte Vedra girls cross country team kept getting faster as the season went along and the end result was the group winning the program’s first state title.
The potential was there for something special to take place as the Sharks entered the Class 3A state meet at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee as the No. 1 seed.
“We knew we were seeded No. 1, but we didn’t want that to go to our heads,” sophomore Amelia Tackling said. “We just wanted to treat it like any other meet.”
When it was all said and done, the Sharks were able to do just that and pulled out some of their best performances of the season on the biggest and brightest stage.
The Sharks showcased the quality of their depth across the board with seven runners finishing the 5K run among the top 84 places.
Freshman Sofia Bushkell had the highest individual finish for the Sharks with a time of 18:34.9 and a fifth-place result.
Bushkell’s pure talent and determination has not gone unnoticed, especially among her teammates.
“Every photo you see of her running, on her face is this mean look,” Tackling chuckled. “That’s because she really wants it and is so good at what she does.”
Senior Ellie Moritz ended her career with a 19:17.1 and a strong 15th-place finish and was followed by Tackling in 29th (19:52.9); Daisy Ross in 33rd (20:01); Lindy White in 45th (20:12.8); Hilaree Vega in 76th (20:39.4); and Aida Trejo in 84th (20:45.5) to round out the scoring.
Together the Sharks combined for 114 points, which was 16 points lower than runner-up Seminole Osceola.
“Everyone just works so hard,” Tackling said. “When you put your heart into it, you’ll do everything it takes to get it.”
The top individual was Caroline Wells of Winter Springs with a time 16:56.6.
What makes the state title even more impressive is that the Sharks are such a young team with only two upperclassmen among their top runners in Moritz and Trejo, who is a junior.
“I’m excited to see who comes into the team (as freshmen) in the future, and how good these girls can continue to get,” Tackling said.
According to Tackling, she sought to replicate the same support and encouragement to the incoming freshmen as she received last year from the veterans on the team, including taking Bushkell “under her wing.”
The close-knit nature of the team is something that continued to develop throughout the season and Tackling believes was the root to all their success.
Moritz was the one in charge of organizing many of the team bonding opportunities, which included getting their nails done and pasta parties.
“She’s always been a role model for me,” Tackling said.
The performances turned in by the Sharks at Bishop Kenny High’s annual Katie Caples Invitational in September led to that being the moment Tackling realized the group could be destined for special things.
Personally, it was also the first time Tackling posted a time less than 20 minutes, with a 19.30 run.
She continued to see major improvements in her times from last year when she joined the team after having a background of 12 years in dance.
“I never thought I’d be where I’m at today,” Tackling said.
Although there are moments during a 5k when a runner’s body begins to feel stressed, Tackling said it is all about pushing through in those instances.
“Pain is only temporary,” Tackling said. “The best feeling ever is crossing the finish line. You’ve got to just put it all out there.”
