Annabella Tomasic and Will Moss Claim FHSAA XC Titles in Tallahassee

UPDATE: In a stunning display of athleticism, Annabella Tomasic of Bishop Moore captured her second state title at the FHSAA cross country championships in Tallahassee on October 7, 2023. Tomasic dominated the Class 3A final with a remarkable time of 17 minutes, 35.5 seconds, finishing a commanding 31 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, Celina Coryell of Satellite, who clocked in at 18:06.3.

Tomasic’s performance not only secured her victory but also marked the fastest girls’ time of the day across all classifications, further highlighting her prowess as she continues her undefeated streak with seven wins in seven races this season. Last year, she won the 2A championship as a seventh grader, and despite struggles with injury in eighth grade, she rebounded spectacularly after switching to Bishop Moore this year, leading her team to a third-place finish behind Chiles and Ponte Vedra.

On the boys’ side, Will Moss, a junior at Montverde Academy, celebrated a decisive victory in the Class 2A race with a time of 15:35.3. This victory is a significant turnaround from his 29th place finish last year, where he recorded a time of 16:53.5. His triumph adds to the excitement of the championships and showcases his growth as a competitor.

In the Class 4A boys’ race, Buchholz pulled off a stunning upset over the favored Oviedo team, scoring 58 points to Oviedo’s 103. While Oviedo led the race up to the two-mile mark, Buchholz surged ahead to claim victory. Notably, Axel Sallault of East Ridge finished as the 4A individual runner-up with a time of 15:27.5, further emphasizing the competitive nature of the event.

The excitement didn’t stop there. In the 4A girls’ race, East Ridge’s team secured a fourth-place finish, while Lake Nona‘s Arabella Duffell earned ninth place individually with a time of 18:36.6. The championships showcased not just individual talents but also the collective strength of teams across Florida.

As the dust settles on this year’s FHSAA championships, all eyes will be on next year’s competition to see if Tomasic and Moss can maintain their winning streaks. The upcoming season promises to be filled with potential rivalries and thrilling races as each athlete looks to improve their performance.

Stay tuned for updates on these incredible athletes as they prepare for their future races and continue to make headlines in Florida’s cross country scene.