National Leaders, Team Depth, Championship Momentum

The FLYRA Nature Coast Regional Middle School Qualifier and Elementary Showcase wasn’t just another meet—it was a showcase of elite talent, deep team performances, and national-level competition. Multiple athletes delivered U.S. top-10 times, while standout teams such as Red Sea Running and Ocala Distance Project showed exceptional depth across events. Highlight performances by stars like Mary Summers and Caleb Moore set the stage for an exciting postseason heading into the FLYRA State Championships scheduled for May 16-17 at IMG Academy.

Mary Summers Sets National Benchmarks

Mary Summers of 7 Rivers Christian School dominated the middle-distance events, marking one of the strongest overall performances in recent U.S. middle school history:

  • 3000m: 10:13.35 – US #1

  • 1500m: 4:41.60 – US #1

  • 800m: 2:16.63 – US #2

Summers, already the reigning FHSAA 1A cross-country state champion, enters the state meet as one of the most decorated middle school distance runners nationally.

Caleb Moore Completes Sprint Triple

Caleb Moore from Ocala Distance Project showcased outstanding speed and versatility by sweeping all three sprint events:

  • 100m: 11.82 (1st place)

  • 200m: 23.84 (1st place)

  • 400m: 52.27 (1st place)

Moore also anchored Redeemer Christian’s 4x100m relay to a Florida state-leading middle school time of 45.68 seconds, confirming his status as Florida’s premier middle school sprinter heading into the state championships.

Red Sea Running Club Demonstrates Unmatched Depth

Red Sea Running Club solidified its reputation as one of Florida’s deepest and most versatile youth running programs with numerous standout performances:

  • Boys 1500m: Four athletes finishing in the top eight.

  • Girls Distance: Lindsey Mishler and Jimena Nava-Garcia delivered podium finishes.

  • Elementary Division: Dominant performances by Aliana Alvarez, Emma Williams, and several others.

  • Notably, Laken Hartley clocked a national-caliber 10:41.47 in the 3000m, ranking her 7th in the U.S.

Boys’ 3000m Emerges as Nationally Elite Race

The boys’ 3000m event was among the fastest nationwide, with five athletes running top-10 U.S. times:

  • Reed Hagen (WIND Runners): 9:18.96 – US #1

  • Matteo Kirwan (Circle Christian): 9:36.39 – US #4

  • Trevor Berquist (Ocala Distance Project): 9:39.80 – US #5

  • Omar Castillo (Red Sea Running): 9:40.43 – US #6

  • Micah Oliver (Wesley Chappel New Tampa Mustangs): 9:41.72 – US #7

  • Lachlan Bryniarski (Ocala Distance Project): 9:45.22 – US #9

  • Collin Langston (Hillsborough Harriers): 9:46.6 – US #10

Eric Chen and Christopher Taylor also ran times that would rank them top 30 nationally.

Girls’ 3000m Adds to the National Rankings

The girls’ 3000m also produced notable national-caliber performances:

  • Mary Summers (7 Rivers): 10:13.35 – US #1

  • Laken Hartley (Red Sea Running): 10:41.47 – US #7

  • Maia Menard, Ana-Cecilia (Hillsborough Harriers): 10:56.95 – US Top 10

Additional Highlights

  • Trevor Berquist doubled back impressively to win the 800m in 2:08.74.

  • Ocala Distance Project girls team won the 4×800 with a 10:36. Their time currently ranks them #5 in Florida. (Natalie Lammens, Lise Hallick, Sydney Farris and Maggie Lorick)

Final Thoughts

The FLYRA Nature Coast Regional Qualifier produced:

  • Two U.S. #1 performances

  • Twelve performances ranked top 10 nationally

  • Remarkable depth and versatility from leading Florida clubs

This regional event was not just a qualifying step; it was a powerful demonstration of Florida’s talent on the national stage. Athletes and teams are now geared up for an electrifying competition at the FLYRA State Championships at IMG Academy.