The boys of Flagler Palm Coast laced up their spikes and jogged over to the starting line. Once there, they strode out, only showing a flash of green and black. They proceeded to take off their warm ups, revealing the crisp ‘FPC’ logo down the back of their singlets. Ashton Garrett, Justin Pacifico, Markell Peck, Ka’Deem Wynn, Spencer Mellow, Jonathan Ling, and Hayden Ore stood on the line of the biggest meet any of them have ever ran before, completely silent. As the meet official counted down the seconds before the start, Flagler’s boys were not only representing themselves and their school, but the entire state of Florida.

“On your mark,” calls the official. Everyone leans forward.

The gun goes off.

Bright Lights, Big City

This past weekend, the cross-country teams at Flagler Palm Coast High School took a trip to New York City. There for one of the largest and most anticipated races in the nation, the Bulldogs couldn’t help but take in the sights while they were there.

Free from the Florida heat, the teams had a chance to cool off and visit a variety of the city’s most prominent locations, such as Time Square, Madison Square Garden, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the 9/11 Memorial site, where they saw Freedom Tower.

Other highlights included Wall Street, Chinatown, Central Park, and an awe-inspiring view atop the Empire State Building. Of course, they took a lot of pictures.

Race Time

Both the boys and girls teams ran well this past Saturday at the Reebok Manhattan Invitational. 90-percent of Flagler’s boys and girls placed in the top 75, earning individual medals.

Leading the charge for the boys was junior Justin Pacifico, who ran 13:49.80 in the 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) placing 22nd overall in the boys Varsity G race. “I actually liked the course,” Pacifico commented after. “I just think if we could have ran it one more time our times would have been better only because we underestimated it on our race prep.”

Closely following behind him was senior Ashton Garrett, who went under the 14-minute barrier by the skin of his teeth, running 13:59.90 placing 29th. Markell Peck and Spencer Mellow, both seniors, came in shortly after, with Peck running 14:03.40 placing 36th and Mellow running 14:23.40 placing 65th. Junior Ka’Deem Wynn scored as Flagler’s fifth runner, running 14:32.90 finishing 80th overall. Only seconds behind him were juniors Jonathan Ling and Hayden Ore. Ling ran 14:39.70 placing 83rd. Ore finished 90th, running 14:48.30.

The boys team finished eighth overall out of 26 schools from across the nation, with a team average time of 14:09.40.

Flagler’s top time for the girls came from senior Sophia Clark. Clark ran 16:29.3 in the 4,000 meters placing 29th overall in the Varsity Girls A race. Running second for Flagler was junior Sa’Da Rowley. Rowley surgered towards the finish line in order to dip under the 17-minute barrier. She was successful, as she ran 16:59.8 placing 37th. Flagler’s girls continued to pack it up as the race went on, resulting in a photo-finish between senior Darien Halliday and sophomore Anna Walls. Halliday crossed the line in 17 minutes and 32.4 seconds,

placing 57th. Walls finished in 17 minutes and 32.9 seconds. Next came sophomore Baylee Mills, who was closely followed by senior Josie Davis. Mills ran 18:00.0 placing 69th. Davis just made it as an individual.She ran 18:13.0 placing 75th. Always with a strong finish, freshman Peyton Halliday ran 19:05.9 placing 103rd.

The girls finished seventh as a team out of 22 schools in the race, with an average time of 17:21.88 respectively.

Head coach Dave Halliday was more than happy to see his athletes perform well on such a large stage. “I was pleased with both teams,” he commented. “Both placed similarly and both teams had a large number of medalists. Everyone got out and competed on a very legitimate cross country course.” Halliday noted that teams did better than his last group of runners in 2010, and is glad to see his athletes starting to put it all together. The girls and boys truly packed it up during the race ━ something they have been trying to put together all season. “The boys (and girls) are looking solid,” he says. “A breakout race for Ashton and a good effort by Mellow. When we get all seven to have a great race on the same day we should be a force in the post-season.”

Halliday is looking for both teams to contend for the Five Star Conference this year. Most of the athletes currently running were part of Flagler’s recapture of the conference titles in 2012, and the boys title defense in 2013. Halliday also looks for the teams to contend for the district titles, as well as make a strong run to the State meet in the next few weeks.

Until then, the Bulldogs are back home and training. Instantly longing for the cool New York air, Flagler’s teams will never forget the trip.

“What I liked overall about the trip was how close the team got,” comments Ashton Garrett. “I think this trip really built team chemistry. I will remember this trip with my teammates for the rest of my life.” Many of the team members agree wholeheartedly.

“It was an amazing experience,” Ka’Deem Wynn later said. “I look forward to making the trip again.”

The Bulldogs may be returning next year, as they will be returning roughly 90-percent of their runners. In the meantime, they focus on finishing the current season and proving that they’re different than other Bulldog teams. They want to prove that it’s their bite, is worse than their bark.