Gibbons ready for a final run
Rafaella Gibbons is ready for one last surge in her high school cross country career. The Winter Park senior won the Class 4A individual state title in her freshman season and led the Wildcats to two state championships and then a runner-up finish last year.
“She’s as fit as I’ve seen her in a long time,” Winter Park coach Kristin McWilliams said. “She’s overcome that slight plateau her junior year, which most people would kill to have and finish [fourth] at the state meet.”
Gibbons, an N.C. State commit, ran a time of 18 minutes, five seconds in the 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) at the Wingfoot XC Classic in Cartersville, Ga., in September — her fastest effort in nearly two years.
Winter Park is No. 1 in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Class 4A team rankings going into its district meet on Friday at West Orange.
The return from injury of stellar sophomore Ashley Klingenberg of Lake Brantley closed the gap considerably between her Patriots and rival Winter Springs, which is ranked No. 5 in 4A going into Saturday’s District 2 meet at Seminole State College’s Oviedo campus.
Mount Dora Christian’s boys are No. 1 in 1A and cruised to victory in their district meet on Tuesday. Oviedo is No. 1 in boys 4A.
Four-time defending 2A state champ Trinity Prep is not in its accustomed spot in the driver’s seat entering the postseason races. The Saints are rated No. 4 in 2A behind Jacksonville Bolles, Satellite and Jacksonville Bishop Kenny and must make up ground before they see those teams at state on Nov. 11 in Tallahassee.
Circle Christian’s girls, led by ninth-grader Sinkenesh Parker, are No. 2 in 1A. Montverde Academy’s girls, also youthful, are No. 2 in 2A.