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Cross country: Pinellas runners to watch

 
Calvary Christian’s Hannah Brookover returns after finishing eighth at last season’s Class A state meet as a junior.
Calvary Christian’s Hannah Brookover returns after finishing eighth at last season’s Class A state meet as a junior.
Published Sept. 11, 2014

The Pinellas County cross country scene took a hit with graduation, but plenty of talented runners remain. Here are the ones to watch this season.

Girls

Hayley Brahm, Northeast: The Vikings' top runner took first at last week's Pirate Invitational and leads a team that could contend for a district title.

Hannah Brookover, Calvary Christian: The junior's eighth-place finish at last year's Class A state meet is tops among the county's returners. Last week, she placed second at the Lecanto Invitational.

Shannon Greenwood, Clearwater Central Catholic: The freshman is one of the county's top newcomers.

Anna Hamilton, Palm Harbor University: The sophomore helped the Hurricanes win conference and qualify for state as a team.

Bobbi LaBrant, Indian Rocks Christian: The track star took ninth at last week's Holloway Park Jamboree.

Olivia Rovin, Shorecrest: With Alex Eaton graduated, Rovin takes over as the Chargers' No. 1 runner. Last year, she placed 28th at the Class A meet.

Brooke Santiesteban, Calvary Christian: The freshman helped the Warriors finish second at the Holloway Park Jamboree.

Olivia Suski, Seminole: Placed among the top 15 at regions to qualify for last year's Class 4A state meet. She will contend for an individual conference title this year.

Sophia Vesely, Shorecrest: The seventh-grader teams with Rovin in a lead pack that will be a threat to place among the top four again at the Class A meet.

Boys

A.J. Jimenez, Osceola: The junior took over as the Warriors' top runner early last season and is now a conference and district favorite.

Christian Kondor, Largo: He started the season with a solid performance at the Wiregrass Ranch meet, placing 11th.

Patrick McNamara, Admiral Farragut: McNamara was 21st at last year's Class A meet and placed among the top 10 at last week's Holloway Park Jamboree.

Hunter McCann, Admiral Farragut: The Osceola transfer adds even more depth to a Blue Jackets team that should challenge Shorecrest at the private school level.

Luke Peterson, Shorecrest: Last season, h e took ninth at the Class A meet, the highest finish in the county. He will be the leader for the Chargers, who should contend for another top-five finish as a team.

Stephen Rudderham, Northeast: The Vikings' top runner won last week's Pirate Invitational and will lead a conference and district contender.

Justin Scoby, Shorecrest: On a deep team, Scoby has performed well enough to be among the Chargers' top three runners.

Ryan VanMiddlesworth, Osceola: He teamed with Jimemez to help the Warriors place third at last week's Wiregrass Ranch meet.

Contact Bob Putnam at bputnam@tampabay.com. Follow @BobbyHomeTeam.