By Dave Brousseau
SUNRISE – David Lazo of South Plantation High and Kendall Parrott of St. Thomas Aquinas, a pair of distance runners for their respective schools will forever be connected.
What linked them together is they both became winners at the BCAA Cross Country Championships on Friday at Markham Park.
Lazo, clearly one of the best in Broward County over the past three years, successfully defended his title with a convincing victory with a winning time of 16:20.04 that distanced himself over top challenger Malcolm Spence IV of Flanagan (16:55.03).
“Coming out I want to stay concentrated on staying smooth in the race as soon as I could,” said Lazo who began running cross country as a freshman. “I wanted that first spot and open a gap and finish strong.
My goal is to keep improving and getting faster and as the competition increases to go with it.”
His career best time of 15:43 is Lazo’s goal before the season is complete.
“David started off in the low to mid 20’s when her started a freshman,” said former South Plantation coach Andre Henry, who still helps train Lazo. “Each year he has progressively gotten better, and his present goal is to run in the low to mid 15 minutes.”
Parrott was a second-place finisher as a freshman at 19:50.6 and needed a late push in the final third of Friday’s race to cross the finish line alone at the top with a time of 20:08.16.
“I felt really negative before the race and kept reminding myself the race is never over until it’s over,” said Parrott. “I’m proud of myself because I passed four girls near the final lap. I’m really proud of myself today.”
Her performance, along with top 10 finishers Taylor Gold and Charlotte Lee helped Aquinas win the team title over second place Cardinal Gibbons.
Along with Spence, Flanagan got solid times from Sabastien Gonzalez and Brayden Hall to win the boys team title. West Broward finished second.
BOYS TEAM SCORES (Top 5)
Flanagan 86, West Broward 102, Cypress Bay 133, Pembroke Pines Charter 153, St. Thomas Aquinas 182
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (Top 20)
1 Dave Lazo (SP) 16:20.04; 2. Malcolm Spence IV (FLAN) 16:55.03; 3. Grant Evans (SP) 16:59.62; 4. Adam Stewart (PPC) 17:07.83; 5. Sabastien Gonzalez (FLAN) 17:10.24; 6. Carlo Baylon (CB) 17:11.56; 7. Marcus Gentilhomme (CS) 17:40.33; 8. Job DeOjeda (CG) 17:43.83; 9. Miguel Casiano (WB) 17:49.29; 10. Steven Joseph (PB) 18:09.98; 11. Luke Lambert (WB) 18:10.30; 12. Leonardo Ponce (WB) 18:12.88; 13. JahRee Pierre (TARA) 18:14.89; 14. Ryu Young-sang (DILL) 18:16.34; 15. Brayden Hall (FLAN) 18:22.44; 16. Andre Ambroise (NE) 18:23.34; 17. Fernando Galindo (NE) 18:24.25; 18. Fabio Castillio (CGL) 18:25.17; 19. Logan Nadanam (CB) 18:32.47; 20. Aiden Garcia (COOP) 18:34.21.
GIRLS TEAM SCORES (Top 5)
St. Thomas Aquinas 47, Cardinal Gibbons 81, Dillard 96, Coral Springs Charter 106, Taravella 101.
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (Top 20)
1. Kendall Parrott (STA) 20:08.16; 2. Raejanae Ebanks (DILL) 20:17.27; 3. Claire Chanon (CG) 20:23.14; 4. Molly Murphy (CG) 20:45.59; 5. Camila Castillo (TARA) 20:55.86; 6. Taylor Gold (STA) 21:00.48; 7. Lily Richardson (CSC) 21:06.34; 8. Charlotte Lee (STA) 21:11.73; 9. Olivia Huggins (CS) 21:33.28; 10. Shynah (DILL) 21:34.66; 11. Giulia Campos (PB) 21:39.94; 12. Valentine Castillo (TARA) 21:41.43; 13. Peyton Williams (DILL) 21:49.44; 14. Olivia Noel (TARA) 21:53.99; 15. Giuliana Serra (CG) 22:01.42; 16. Angelica Cardenas (STA) 22:07.72; 17. Alyson Thomas (CSC) 22:13.51; 18. Caoimhe McConville (STA) 22:20.11; 19. Emiliana Anzures (MSD) 22:22.37; 20. Shirley Mullins (SP) 22:26.42.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.