Sallault and Walker Lead East Ridge Boys Cross Country To First Ever State Finals Berth
By Tim Ferrell, East Ridge High School Photos by South Lake PhotographyThe 2024 East Ridge Boys Cross Country team did something no other boys team at East Ridge has ever done – Advance to the Florida Cross Country State Championship Meet. The team needed to finish in the top eight, which they accomplished with a sixth place team finish on Saturday at the FHSAA 4A Region 2 Championship, held at the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in Boca Raton. This was the first race the Knights had ever run at Burt Aaronson, so it was totally new to them. That did not stop them, however, as they were able to put two runners in the top nine finishers which catapulted the team to the sixth spot.
The Knights were paced by their dynamic duo once again, much like all season. Sophomore Axel Sallault continued his barrage on cross country courses in the State of Florida this year as he finished in fifth place, completing the course in 15:58. This is the third race Sallault has finished under 16:00 this season, the first time outside of Cecil Field, and the third fastest time in East Ridge history. Sallault’s battery-mate, Caleb Walker, also ran impressively as he kept up with the top five for much of the race, but fell just behind in the last 800 meters, in a time of 16:04. This was a new personal best time for Caleb and the fourth fastest time in school history. Sallault and Walker’s times were the two fastest times ever run at a Regional in East Ridge Cross Country history.
While the Knights were led by two leaders of the race, it was their depth that allowed the Knights to prevail. Junior Gustavo Vargas turned in another solid performance, finishing in 42nd place with a time of 17:13. This was Gustavo’s second fastest time of his career and another top ten performance in a Regional race by a Knight. Finishing just behind Vargas and just off of his personal best time was Freshman Aubin Sallault, who completed the course in the second fastest time for an East Ridge Freshman at a Regional race (only behind his brother, Axel last year) with a 17:25, good for 48th place. The fifth scorer for the Knights (and at times most important) was Sophomore Tyce Ertel who finished 75th in a time of 18:31. Just behind Ertel, putting down a solid sixth spot for the Knights was Junior Dylan McCleary who finished in 78th place in a time of 18:40. Rounding out the team placing was Freshman Watson Dunham, while battling through a leg injury gutted out a 20:29.
The Knights will be competing at their last race of the season on Saturday at 8:35 am at the prestigious Apalachee Park in Tallahassee, Florida.