
J.P. Taravella cross country at the Broward County Athletic Association meet. {David Volz}
The J.P. Taravella boys’ cross-country team earned second place at the Broward County Athletic Association meet at Markham Park on October 17.
Coach Dawn Spann was proud of the team and said the runners have worked hard to succeed this season and was especially pleased that they ran together as a team and not as individuals.
According to team captain Dominic Martinez, the Trojan athletes have been dedicated to their training and are looking forward to the district championship meet. Akeem Beckford was the Trojans’ top finisher, in 18th place.
Jeffrey Belizaire of Coral Springs High finished third overall in the competition, and teammate Matthew Wykpisz earned fifth place.
He considered the race a training opportunity for district and regional meets. “I would have liked to have won the race like last year,” he said.

Coral Springs High boys and girls cross-country. {David Volz}
According to Braxton Patterson, the Coral Springs High coach, the team has been improving and is now preparing for the district meet on October 30 in Boca Raton. Success there means a trip to the regional meet in Miami, where top runners from South Florida will seek a place in the Florida state championship meet.
The Coral Springs Charter girls’ cross-country team came in fourth place. Kendall Parrott was a leading runner for the Coral Springs schools. She came in tenth overall and said she felt good during the run.
Coach Brantley Barr was proud of Charter’s team’s performance and was pleased that the girls ran fast together. Lily Richardson finished 17th, and Alyson Thomas came in 18th.
Michael Mauro, coach of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas cross-country team, said the girls’ and boy’s teams had good runs.

Jeffrey Belizaire of Coral Springs High School. {David Volz}
“This competition was a measuring stick for the upcoming district and regional meets. Our goal is to qualify for the state championship,” said Mauro.
Noa Nierman, an Eagles girls’ cross-country team leader, said, “We can advance at districts if we have a strong mentality.”
Coral Springs area boys’ teams:
J.P. Taravella 2nd
Coal Springs 6th
Coral Springs Charter 12th
Marjory Stoneman Douglas 13th
Coral Glades 22nd
Coral Springs area girls’ teams:
Coral Springs Charter 4th
Marjory Stoneman Douglas 6th
J.P. Taravella 9th
Coral Glades 17th
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