1. Debut of Andrew Marino and Mackenzie De Lisle at the North Port Invitational

  • Andrew Marino (Bishop Verot): Marino’s strong track season (3200m: 9:32) positions him as a key contender in 2A. He is set to open his cross country season at North Port, where his performance will be closely watched.
  • Mackenzie De Lisle (Bishop Verot): The 2024 2A 1600m State Champion has not raced yet this year. Her debut at North Port should provide insight into her form as she’s expected to challenge for the title.

2. Alyson Johnson vs. Mackenzie De Lisle vs. Eliana Black

  • Alyson Johnson (Creekside): The defending 4A state champion comes into the race in top form. She recently won the Cecil Field Classic in an impressive 18:00, finishing 13 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. This performance solidifies her status as the current #1 ranked runner in Florida.
  • Mackenzie De Lisle (Bishop Verot): Her first race of the season will be a significant test against strong competition. As the 2A 1600m State Champion, she’s poised to make a strong impact in cross country.
  • Eliana Black (Cambridge Christian): A former 1A XC state champion making a comeback after a year at IMG Academy. Black boasts the fastest 5k PR in the girls’ field, making her a top contender to watch.

3. Will Liam Jordan Break 15 Minutes at North Port?

North Port is notorious for its extremely fast course. The spotlight is on Liam Jordan of Berkeley Prep, who is expected to win after running 15:13 at Florida Horse Park. The big question: Can he break the 15-minute barrier on North Port’s speedy course?

Key runners to watch:

  • Liam Jordan (Berkeley Prep): The favorite to win, aiming for a sub-15 minute performance.
  • Blake Young (Indian Rocks Christian): Last year’s champion who ran 15:18 at North Port and 15:48 at state.
  • Andrew Marino (Bishop Verot): Making his season debut with a strong track record.

The race will not only be about Jordan’s time but also how close Young and Marino can stay to the leader.

4. Team Battle: Bishop Verot vs. Berkeley Prep

While individual performances are drawing attention, the team competition at North Port will provide valuable insights into the potential standings for the 2A state championship. Key teams to watch:

  1. Bishop Verot: Currently ranked #2 by Run Florida Run in the state. They bring back 6 of their top 7 runners from a team that placed 4th at state last year. Their performance at North Port could indicate whether they’re ready to challenge for the top spot in 2A.

  2. Berkeley Prep: They return all 7 runners from last year’s state team, including top contender Liam Jordan. With a full-strength squad and the potential individual winner, they’re a serious threat in the team competition. Jordan’s performance could be a key factor in their team score.

The head-to-head matchup between these two strong 2A programs will offer crucial insights into their relative strengths this season. It will be interesting to see how Bishop Verot’s depth matches up against Berkeley Prep’s top-end talent, particularly with Liam Jordan leading the charge.

This meet could potentially reshape expectations for the 2A state championship, especially if either team shows significant improvement or depth beyond their known top runners.