Pustilnik captures Class 4A title

BOCA RATON — Spanish River’s Rylee Pustilnik has established herself as the best distance runner in Palm Beach County, but she has set loftier goals, including a state title.

She took another step in that progression Saturday, winning the Class 4A title in 18 minutes 34.83 seconds in the Spanish River Cross Country Invitational at South County Regional Park. Overall, she finished second in the combined 4A-3A race to Valarie Lastra of Mater Academy (18:00.14).

“I was just running my own race today,” Pustilnik said. “I tried closing the gap, but I just couldn’t do it. This was a great meet because I love the competition I get from 3A.”

After her race, Pustilnik was still running, taking a SATURDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS

■ Team scores: 1. Spanish River 87; 2. Columbus 120; 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 122; 4. Coral Park 162; 5. Coral Gables 227.

■ Individuals: 1. A. Breslin (STA) 15:53.40; 2. Fiore (FTL) 16:14.45; 3. Munera (JUP) 16:38.07; 4. C. Breslin (STA) 16:42.40; 5. Noonan (SR) 16:46.35.

GIRLS

■ Team scores: 1. Braddock 62; 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 93; 3. Spanish River 107; 4. Park Vista 152; 5. Jupiter 212.

■ Individuals: 1. Pustilnik (SR) 18:34.83; 2. Beaulieu (BR) 18:53.06; 3. Del Ra (JUP) 19:18.35. light jog with her dog, Boston.

“I’m driven,” she said. “That’s one way to describe me.”

In the 4A race, Pia Beaulieu of Boca Raton was second and Alexandre Del Ra of Jupiter was third. Spanish River’s girls finished fourth in the team competition.

Will Noonan, a Spanish River senior, finished fifth in 16:46.35 to carry the boys to the Class 4A team title.Samuel Munera of Jupiter was the county’s top finisher, taking third in 16:38.07.

In Class 1A, King’s Academy won the boys’ team title and the Lions’ Mia Rodriguez won the girls’ individual championship in 19:32.89.