JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Matt Ryan has had quite the high school running career, and his senior year has been the best of them all.
The Nease star and the All-News4JAX cross country runner of the year, put a bow on a stellar cross country career by celebrating a team state championship with his teammates.
Recommended Videos
It was the latest in a journey that also included an individual title in the 3200 in last year’s track and field state meet.
In cross country, Ryan won a state championship as a junior and followed up with a third place showing in the Class 4A state meet this year. He may have finished lower individually in his final season, but the team aspect was far more rewarding.
Nease won the team state championship, the first in program history. Teammate Sai Jayaraman was ninth, followed by Finn Thomas (14th) and Wyatt Pittman (18th) to lead a balanced Panthers team at state.
Ryan’s best in-season time came in the FSU Invitational where he took third and came oh-so-close to breaking the 14-minute mark (15:00.90). Ryan, a Duke University signee, broke that mark at the South Region Foot Locker Championships after the season (14:56.09).
First team
Runner, school, class
Sai Jayaraman, Nease, Sr.
Turned in his PR of 15:30.8 in fourth-place finish at district. Finished ninth at Class 4A state meet to help Panthers win team state championship.
Christopher Joost, Bolles, Jr.
Class 2A state runner-up with a PR of 15:21.9. District and region champ. First-team All-News4JAX selection last year.
Graham Myers, Fleming Island, Sr.
University of Florida signee. Finished third at Class 3A state meet with a 15:23.2. District champ and third at region. Turned in his PR at the Foot Locker South Region Championships last November. Had seven finishes of sixth place or better. First-team All-News4JAX selection last year and honorable mention as a sophomore
Matt Ryan, Nease, Sr.
All-News4JAX runner of the year. Ran in-season best of 15:00.9 at the FSU Invitational. Posted a 15:30.2 to finish third in Class 4A state meet. State champ last year and led Nease to its first team state title this season. First-team All-News4JAX selection last year. Has signed with Duke.
Tanner Simonds, Creekside, Sr.
The latest in an excellent line of Knights runners. Turned in PR of 15:18.1 to win district. Fifth in Class 4A state meet in 15:35.9. Six finishes of seventh place or higher. Florida State signee. First-team All-News4JAX selection last year.
Finn Thomas, Nease, Sr.
Three finishes of third place or better. Third in district with a PR of 15:29.4. Sixth at region and 14th at Class 4A state meet.
John Zurn, Creekside, Sr.
Flagler College signee. Turned in his PR of 15:40.7 in eighth-place finish at region. Runner-up at Craig Speziale Invitational. Seventh at district at 12th at Class 4A state meet.
Second team
Runner, school, class
Parker Adams, Bolles, Jr.
Was limited this season but clocked a PR of 15:46.1 at the Nike XC Town Twilight Invitational. Took 10th in the Class 2A state meet in 16:21.5.
Tanner Andrade-Brinsko, Ponte Vedra, Jr.
Had a PR of 15:49 at the New World Call Spectacular. District runner-up and fourth place at region. Finished 18th in Class 3A state meet.
Juan Pablo Castillo-Zima, Bishop Kenny, Jr.
Turned in PR of 16:08.8 in seventh place finish at Class 2A state meet. Two wins this season (Bob Hans Invitational and Craig Speziale Invitational).
John Keester IV, Fleming Island, Sr.
His PR of 15:45 came in ninth place effort at New World Fall Spectacular. Third at district, seventh at region and 28th at Class 3A state meet.
Wyatt Pittman, Nease, Sr.
His PR of 15:56.6 came in region meet. Had a 16:03.1 in Class 4A state meet to help bolster Panthers’ team state championship.
Alejandro Vinas, Bishop Kenny, Sr.
Turned in his top showing with a 15:49 at the Class 4A state meet. Fourth at region. Won Craig Speziale Invitational with a 15:52.
Braedyn Wormeck, Flagler Palm Coast, Jr.
Saved his best for the Class 4A state meeting, running a PR of 15:46.9 to finish ninth. Won the 5 Star Conference meet
Honorable mention
Runner, school, class
Ben Brown, Atlantic Coast, Sr.
Jonathan Elliott, Creekside, Sr.
Dominic Geraci, Mandarin, Jr.
Joseph Lupinski, Bartram Trail, Jr.
Andrew Marello, Wolfson, Sr.
William Morales, Bolles, Sr.
Miles Rivera, Bolles, Sr.
Asa Swope, Creekside, So.
John Syla, Stanton, Sr.
Charley West, Mandarin, So.
Miles Wicks, Ponte Vedra, So.