By JONATHAN WARREN
“I wanted to give it a try because I knew I definitely had a chance at qualifying for nationals,” Hines said.
Duncan (15:13) and Hines (15:19) finished second and fourth in the state respectively while recording personal bests. Both have both committed to the University of Florida’s team for next year. After states they began to train for the Foot Locker South regional race in Charlotte, North Carolina by reducing the mileage they ran and focusing more on speed and tone up workouts. The top ten from each Foot Locker regional move on to the national race.
“It’s really cool to go up there because a lot of the kids up there are serious about cross country. Everyone is focused, so it’s really good to have success at a race like that,” Hines said.
At the meet on Nov. 27, Hines recorded a time of 15:21 placing 18th. Duncan ran a 15:27 for 31st place.
“I did okay. I ran really well, but I could have qualified, and I didn’t use the right strategy. I started off too slow and got caught behind too many people,” Hines said.
Hines and Duncan will now begin preparation for the track season, which starts in January, though both enjoyed a week off first. Hines has high hopes for the track season.
“My goal is to win the state championship in the mile and two mile,” Hines said.