2021 SUN Preps All-Area Athletes & Teams
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Page 20 www.yoursun.com By VINNIE PORTELL SPORTS WRITER Like all sports this year, cross country didn't have a typical season. Although this sport allows for some social distancing and limited contact, some variables like crowded starting lines and mingling after races caused concern. That meant most big meets were canceled and some meets where whittled down to allow for safety. Still, our local runners lived up to the expectations. Boys Runner of the Year Finalists Tyler Wadsworth, Alberto Teijelo and Zach Rathburn each had historic seasons to remember. North Port boys cross country coach Phu Nguyen led his Bobcats to a district champi- onship and had three runners qualify for First Team selections — making Nguyen the Boys Coach of the Year. Boys First Team Tyler Wadsworth - Port Charlotte Junior Wadsworth made it back-to-back years as a district champion, and then took his running to another level. The junior set a personal best time at the state tournament and could be a competitor for a state championship this time next year. "Tyler is one of the hardest working individuals we've ever had on our cross country team at Port Charlotte," Pirates cross country coach Ray Chumbley said. "It was very rewarding to see his time and place at the state meet because we know how much work he's put in to get there and have that kind of success. "We're all very proud of him and look forward to even more success in the future." District Finish: 1st overall with a time of 17:06.51 Regional Finish: 4th overall with a time of 16:33.15 State Finish: 6th overall in 3A with a time of 15:55.80 Zachary Rathburn - North Port Senior The top runner for the area's deepest team, Rathburn ran a personal-best 16:37.27 at the district meet to help his team win first place. "Zach had a very strong season that was inter- rupted with a quarantine," Nguyen said. "He returned in time for the postseason, where he ran the second fastest time in school history and helped his team win the district meet." District Finish: 3rd overall with a time of 16:37.27 Regional Finish: 24th overall with a time of 17:20.18 Teage Elsey - North Port Junior One of the Bobcats' most consistent runners, Elsey had another standout season in 2020 after a state appearance as a sophomore. He helped North Port win the district meet with a top-10 finish. District Finish: 8th overall with a time of 17:06.23 Regional Finish: 32nd overall with a time of 17:34.23 Joseph Smith - North Port Senior Smith turned in another solid year as a senior, helping North Port field the area's deepest team. He was side-by-side with Elsey all season -- finishing two seconds ahead of him at the district meet and one second ahead at the regional meet. District Finish: 6th overall with a time of 17:04.26 Regional Finish: 31st overall with a time of 17:33.30 Boys Coach of the Year Phu Nguyen, North Port Nguyen helped lead North Port to another district title, with four Bobcats finishing in the top eight positions. Though none of his runners competed at the state tournament, he will return both Elsey and Crane next season. Boys Second Team Noel Maldonado - DeSoto County Senior The Bulldogs' top runner, Maldonado was a steady presence -- turning in sub-18 minute times with regularity. His fourth place finish (17:14.35) at the district meet helped DeSoto County finish third. He then placed 15th at regionals with a 17:45.40. Evan Crane - North Port Sophomore One of the Bobcats' four top-tier runners, Crane was at the back of a strong pack for North Port. He placed seventh at the district meet with a 17:05.09 and then 36th at regionals. Thomas Blem - Lemon Bay Senior The Mantas' top runner in 2020, Blem finished fifth (17:16.67) at the district meet to help Lemon Bay take home the title. He then placed 21st at regionals. Sean Perry - Lemon Bay Sophomore Perry built off his breakout freshman season with a solid sophomore year -- finishing sixth at the district meet (17:24.80) and coming in 22nd at regionals. Dario Aguilar Patino - DeSoto County Senior Aguilar Patino debuted on the varsity team in 2020 and quickly became one of the Bulldogs' best runners. His eighth place finish (17:37.23) at the district meet was key in the Bulldogs taking third place as a team. He ended his time as a Bulldog with a 30th overall finish at regionals. SUN PREPS ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS Bobcats, Indians deep rosters make strides Player of the year Alberto Teijelo - Venice Senior After breaking through to the state tournament last year, Teijelo took his game to another level in 2020. He became the first Indian to be a district and regional champion in at least the past 20 years on his way to another state tournament appearance. "Alberto had an amazing cross country career at Venice," Indians boys cross country coach Jason Potter said. "He is a great student athlete and a great teammate." District Finish: 1st overall with a time of 15:55.25 Regional Finish: 1st overall with a time of 15:49.57 State Finish: 11th overall in 4A with a time of 16:09.50 TEIJELO SUN PHOTO BY PATRICK OBLEY North Port's Evan Crane (1326) runs in the middle of the starting pack during the Regional Cross Country race at North Port High School.