Ka’Deem Wynn | Sports Journalist

Cross Country is in full swing. Runners have had a chance to test the wheels a bit, and get back into that fall, long-distance running zone. This weekend, we’re back in DeLand again for the 2014 DeLand Invitational XC Meet. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from last year’s meet.

2013 Meet

Last year, the meet featured some great times. The boys Varsity race was won by Troy Clark of Mount Dora Bible, who ran 16:50. The overall team winners were Lyman’s boys, who finished with a total time of 1:29.54, and a team average of 17:58.80, placing their top five runners within the top 15 runners.

The girls Varsity race was a bit more close with the finishes. The race was won by Kaley Schmick of Cypress Creek, who ran 20:03. Runner-up Kianna Bonnet of Seabreeze ran 20:04. The overall team winners were the girls from Seabreeze, who finished with a total time of 1:45.19, and a team average of 21:03.80, placing their top five runners within the top 20 runners.

2014 Meet

Last year, the meet had a total of 21 schools flock into the Sperling Sports Complex. This year, just a little under half of that number is cut, as there will be a total of 10 schools competing. The teams competing include DeLand, Dewitt Taylor Middle-High School, Flagler Palm Coast, Mainland, Mandarin, New Smyrna Beach, Pedro Menendez, Pine Ridge, Spruce Creek, and Warner Christian Academy.

Another significant change is that there will be no separate Varsity and junior-varsity race. There will only be a boys and girls race. The girls will set the tone and kick it off early at 8:00. The boys will follow later at 8:45, according to the meet schedule.

Team and Individual Rankings

Here’s a look at where the teams and athletes stack up against each other after a virtual meet.

Team Rankings (Boys)

1  Flagler Palm Coast HS

2  Mandarin HS

3  Pedro Menendez HS

4  New Smyrna Beach HS

5  Mainland HS

6  Spruce Creek HS

7  DeLand HS

8  Dewitt Taylor Middle-High School

9 Pine Ridge HS

10 Warner Christian Academy

Individual Rankings(Top Ten)

Team Rankings (Girls)

1  Mandarin HS

2  Flagler Palm Coast HS

3  Mainland HS

4  Spruce Creek HS

5  Pedro Menendez HS

6  New Smyrna Beach HS

7  DeLand HS

8  Dewitt Taylor Middle-High School

9 Pine Ridge HS

10 Warner Christian Academy

Individual Rankings(Top Ten)

Both the boys and girls races looked stacked up and ready to go. Let’s see what the boys and girls from Flagler Palm Coast and Mandarin do as they go head-to-head as always, as well as the Seabreeze girls, and Seabreeze’s newest runner for the boys, Stephen Wofford. It’s going to be a battle, but anyone can emerge victorious, even an underdog.