By Ka’Deem Wynn for DyeStat

Newsome High senior and 2016 Foot Locker Finalist Bailey Hertenstein crossed the line for the final time at the Florida High School Cross Country State Championships, securing her third consecutive Class 4A state title in a course-record time of 17 minutes, 26.7 seconds at Apalachee Regional Park.

Hertenstein, who won titles while running for Riverview in 2015 and 2016, recently committed to Indiana University.

Former Riverview teammate Alyssa Hendrix placed second in 17:30.8. Hendrix, a sophomore, beat Hertenstein once this season in five races head to head.

Winter Park reclaimed the Class 4A team title with 136 points after a runner-up finish in 2016.

Chiles senior Michael Phillips clocked the fastest boys time of the day, crossing the line in 15:14.6 to win the 3A boys title for the second year in a row. His performance was almost matched by Bolles junior and 2016 Foot Locker Finalist, Charles Hicks, who won the 2A boys title earlier that morning in 15:16.8.

Phillips’ performance led Chiles to a runner-up finish behind Belen Jesuit with 111 points. Hicks’ performance led Bolles to a second consecutive team title, accumulating 45 points.

Trevor Foley of Citrus Park Christian claimed the 1A boys title in 15:47.0. The state meet win was long overdue for Foley, who had transferred from Hernando High last year and dropped down in classification from 2A.

Chiles senior standout Ana Wallace, second earlier this season at Great American in a state-leading time of 17:26, claimed the 3A girls state title in 17:43. Teammate Emily Culley was 28 seconds back in 18:09. Chiles secured the team title with 30 points, an FHSAA meet record for lowest team score. The team put all of its scoring five in the top 10 (1-2-8-9-10).

Grace Blair from Gainesville’s 1A Oak Hall capped off her senior season as she repeated as state champion. Blair shocked many by her aggressive start as she pushed the pace early on. She continued to widen the gap and held on to win the title in a personal-best 18:15. Second-place finisher Sinkenesh Parker from Circle Christian Academy was 45 seconds behind in 18:50.

In one of the more wide open races, Sarasota junior Benjamin Hartvigsen pulled away from the field for the win in 15:39.70. Oviedo won its first cross country title in school history as the boys team scored 99 points.

Pine Crest sophomore Tsion Yared won the 2A girls individual title after last winning as a seventh grader in 2014. She ran 18:00 and led Pine Crest to a repeat team title, with 33 points.

Results: 1A (Girls|Boys) 2A (Girls|Boys) 3A (Girls|Boys) 4A (Girls|Boys)

Team Champions

Class 4A Boys - Oviedo 99 points

Class 4A Girls - Winter Park 136 points

Class 3A Boys - Belen Jesuit 57 points

Class 3A Girls - Lawton Chiles 30 points

Class 2A Boys - The Bolles School 45 points

Class 2A Girls - Pine Crest 33 points

Class 1A Boys - Mt. Dora Christian 105 points                                       

Class 1A Girls - Circle Christian 72 points