The 2010-11 Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival got off to a running start on Friday, Oct. 15, with the annual Cross Country Invitational at Larry and Penny Thompson Park in southwest Miami-Dade.
Celebrating its 12th year, the race featured hundreds of high school and middle school runners from around South Florida.
The Junior Orange Bowl Cross Country Invitational was the first of many athletic, artistic and multi-cultural events that make up the 2010-11 Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival. The Junior Orange Bowl Festival is best known for holding its annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade, which will take place on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011 in Downtown Coral Gables.
This year’s Junior Orange Bowl Cross Country Invitational was a huge success, consisting of 28 middle schools and 31 high schools from all over South Florida. Schools, such as John I. Leonard High School, came from as far as West Palm Beach to participate in the meet.
“The Junior Orange Bowl Committee is always looking to expand its audience for the Cross Country Invitational and attract the best competition,” said Rusty Hill, event chair. “This year’s event had an impressive number of over 1,800 participants.”
HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS (5K RUN): Varsity Men’s team winner, John I. Leonard, and runner-up, Miami Sunset. Individual winner, Ryan Pickering from John I. Leonard with a time of 15:57.60.
Varsity Women’s team winner, Ferguson, and runner-up, Carrollton. Individual winner, Joanna McCoy from Coral Shores with a time of 19:19.99.
Junior Varsity Men’s team winner, Varela, and runner-up, Miami Sunset. Individual winner, Christian Cruz from Miami Sunset with a time of 19:01.07.
Junior Varsity Women’s team winner, Ferguson, and runner-up, Coral Reef. Individual winner, Daniela Cosio from Carrollton with a time of 22:53.80.
MIDDLE SCHOOL RESULTS (2.1 MILE RUN): Varsity Men’s team winner, Ransom Everglades, and runner-up, Carver. Individual winner, Kurt Convey from Carver with a time of 11:42.48.
Varsity Women’s team winner, Ammons, and runner-up, Ransom Everglades. Individual winner, Lauren Gauvlic from Ammons with a time of 13:42.71.
Junior Varsity Men’s team winner, Hammocks, and runner-up, Ammons. Individual winner, Eric Sanchez from Jorge Mas Canosa with a time of 13:01.08.
Junior Varsity Women’s team winner, Ransom Everglades, and runner-up, Jorge Mas Canosa. Individual winner, Sabrina Quijano from Glades with a time of 14:58.35.
Helping coordinate the event were chair Rusty Hill and Coach Larry Wooten, director of the Cross Country Invitational, as well as volunteers Maggie Hill, Larry Baile, and Orlando Garcia. For more information, call the Junior Orange Bowl Committee at 305- 662-1210 or visit the website at www.jrorangebowl. org.
