Nick Carpenter
Trinity Prep senior
University of Pennsylvania Ivy League signee won Class 2A state championship by 11 seconds with a time of 15 minutes 24.2 seconds. Carpenter, who was eighth at state as a sophomore before COVID-19 sidetracked the 2020 season, also won district and region titles to cap a prolific career. He was the front-runner for this honor from start to finish in the 2021 season, with area-best performances in six big meets, including the FlRunners.com Invitational and FSU Invitational.
All-Area runners Jack DeJesus
Circle Christian junior Buzz:
Ran area’s fourth best state meet time (15:53.8) as 1A runner-up. Was district champ. Also area’s fourth fastest at FSU Invitational by clocking personal best 15:51.70.
Jared Falchook Celebration senior Buzz:
Orange Belt Conference winner won four regular-season races. Area leader in 4A District race, then second best local in 4A Region 3 meet. Best time was 16:20.43.
Joel Jean Harmony junior Buzz:
Ran area No. 9 state meet time (16:29.8). His personal best 16:03.1 was area best in 4A Region 3 race. Orange Belt Conference runner-up behind Falchook.
Jonathan Leon Hagerty sophomore Buzz:
The lone All-Area 10th grader finished 12th in Class 4A state meet with 16:00.6 time. His fastest was 15:45.45 for second behind teammate Brayden Seymour in district meet.
Caleb Melendez East Ridge senior Buzz:
Top 20 in Class 4A state meet with personal best 16:14.5 time. Was top four in every regular-season race he ran, including wins at Trinity Prep and Montverde Academy.
Noah Musselwhite Apopka, junior Buzz:
Metro West conference champion was under 17 minutes in every race, highlighted by personal best 16:05.6 to win West Orange Invitational. Had three victories.
Riley Novack Montverde Academy junior Buzz:
Started with four straight victories, including career-best 15:07.46 time. Totaled six first-place finishes, including 2A District 3 title. Finished fourth in state meet at 15:40.6.
Julian Drey Pomales Tohopekaliga senior Buzz:
Saved best for last with career-best 16:16.7 time at state for 22nd place in 4A. That was seventh best among area runners. Third in Orange Belt Conference meet.
Brayden Seymour Hagerty junior Buzz:
Took take third place in 4A with 15:38.5 state meet time that ranked second among area runners. Won five meets, including district and conference titles. Best was 15:32.30.
Josh Webster
Lake Highland Prep senior Buzz:
Ran 16:55 or faster in 8 of final 9 meets, capped with career best 16:31.8 at state meet in Tallahassee. That was area’s best 2A finish behind Carpenter and Novack.
Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.