Spanish River boys cross country coach Doug Horn doesn’t mince words when it comes to his top runner, Preston Sangely.
“We discussed a race plan earlier in the week and he executed the plan exactly as we discussed,” said Horn after the sophomore won the Palm Beach County cross country championship at South County Regional Park with a time of 16:20.60. “I noticed just before the race that Preston and the rest of the boys appeared a little bit uptight. I told them a funny joke, as I do before every race, and it definitely loosened them up.”
Sangely finished nearly 16 seconds ahead of runner-up King’s Academy senior Hudson Gates (16:36.50) and helped the Sharks to the county title with 39 points. Dwyer was second with 100 points.
“Winning county makes me feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and opening doors to becoming an amazing runner,” Sangely said. “It’s leading me to keep winning and uplifting my confidence.”
One week later, Sangely broke the school record previously held by Sam Jaramillo (15:57) set in 2019 when he ran a 15:48 to take top honors and help the Sharks win a ninth consecutive district championship. The performance shaved 21 seconds off his previous best.
Spanish River also won the JV boys with 23 points as junior Maccabee Harad clocked a 17:57.0 to earn top honors. The Sharks were second in the varsity (92 points) and junior varsity girls (37). King’s Academy, led by senior Avery Fronrath (18:15.50), took top honors in the varsity with 78 points and first in the JV girls (35 points).
“The Palm Beach County Championship cross country meet is always a competitive and special meet before we start the state championship series,” Horn said. “We were pleased to win both boys varsity and JV races and to take close second in both the varsity girls and JV races.
“For many of the JV kids, this was their last race of the season and so many of them achieved personal best times.”
