Micah Kemp is ranked in the top three from all runners in high school Cross Country within the State of Florida.
The Jay High Senior is blazing through his last season of high school Cross Country.
This season Kemp has already swept the Washington Wildcat 5k held at the Pensacola Equestrian Center. At T.R. Miller in Brewton, Alabama Kemp ran away with the lead once again.
On Saturday morning, Sept 20th Kemp altered school history for the Royals. In the 10th Annual J.D. McDaniel Invitational Kemp dominated the course and the competition finishing the race in a record setting 16:16 time. His performance also set a new J.D. Mac course record.
J.D. McDaniel, the namesake of the run, was on site for the early morning event that is named and was created in his honor. McDaniel’s provided numerous years of leadership and knowledge for the runners of Jay High School. “I get a thrill coming out watching. It is such a honor, “ McDaniel shared. “ I enjoy watching the current coaches coach that use to run for me when they were in high school.”
Girl’s Coach Teresa Scott Dobson grew up under the guidance of McDaniel. She is now the head girl’s coach for the Jay High program herself. The list of honors that McDaniel’s teams earned are remarkable including a state championship, which Dobson was a valuable part of.
This years early Saturday morning event was the biggest ever for the annual invitational. 22 high school teams competed on the course, which is mapped around the Bray/Hendricks City Park in Jay.
The beautiful country side, the crisp cooler temperatures and the lower Florida humidity were a runners ideal conditions. Paul Babikow whose son Matthew Babikow is a member of the Gulf Breeze Dolphins Cross Country team shared that the J.D. Mac Invitational was actually his son’s favorite run. “It is not a bad drive and I enjoy the countryside,” he remarked. “This is a great location and a great event for high school athletes.”
Matthew Dobson, Head Coach of the Jay Boy’s Cross Country team was assisting with leading the event for his first time as the boy’s coach of his Alma Mater. Dobson too has his name carved in numerous running record books.
Dobson who was the 2004 Track and Field Florida Association Distance Runner of the Year was the state 1mile champion his senior year at Jay High. After graduation he was a walk on for Cross Country and Track and Field at Florida State. In addition to being a talented runner Dobson is also a gifted leader as evidenced by serving as captain of the Cross Country Team and assistant captain to the Seminole’s Track and Field team.
He holds the record for most races competed in the southeast with over 30 road races. Dobson is also the only native born American to win the Walt Disney World Marathon ten years ago.
“What a great day for the 10th Annual J.D. Mac Invitational,” Dobson humbly said.
And a great day for Kemp is was as well. He altered the course record time, he dominated the run against over 120 contenders with ease and then provided assistance and encouragement for runners finishing after him. Runners that had just completed the same race he finished moments earlier.
The girls 5k winner was captured by Baker High School’s Maya Espinosa who is only a seventh grader. Espinosa finished the race with a 18:51 run.
Kemp and the Jay Royals along with numerous other Santa Rosa County High Schools will be back on the course Saturday, Sept. 27th for the Gulfcoast Stampede.
Pace Cross Country
The Patriot Ladies Cross Country placed 9th out of 16 teams at the J.D. Mac Invitational. Rachel Kling led the Patriots with a finish of 19:24 and finished fifth overall in the meet.
“We have several veteran runners, including three seniors,” Coach Claire Cook said. “The seniors on the team provide great leadership.” The three seniors Rachel Kling, Maddy Bell and Amber Moynihan are creating an environment that motivates the younger runners to improve according to Cook.
Cook and her girls are anticipating a repeat visit to the state finals this year. “I feel that we have the necessary tools to earn that honor again,” Cook stated.
Pace’s girl’s time:
Rachel Kling 19:24
Ceanna Martin 22: 49
Amber Moyniham 23:01
Kim Clemons 23:56
Kaelyn Garcia 25:31`
Anna Moulyet 25:36
Danielle Bryant 26:50
Central Cross Country
“I think we have a great chance to advance to regionals this season,” said Coach Mike Phillips. Phillips is the Central girl’s coach and Nick Golden is the head coach for the boy’s team.
Cameron Gilliard is the course leader for the girl’s team. She placed 30th overall at the J.D. Mac with a finish of 22:24.
Central’s girl’s times:
Cameron Gilliard 22:24
Christine Clark 22:49
Erin Taylor 23:55
Alexis Clark 25:16
Kennedy Fuller 25:29
Hannah Fuller 27:08
Central boy’s times:
Kyle Fuller 19:53
Moran Givens 19:53
Garrett Price 21:07
Alan Carlson22:03
Dalton Lewis 23:00
Dillan Petty23:33
Jay Cross Country
The Jay Boys Country Cross team finished 8th of 16 teams in the 10th Annual J.D. Mac 5k. The girl’s team coached by Teresa Dobson finished 10th out of 16 teams.
The Royal’s Micah Kemp won the overall boy’s race. Jessica Thornton finished in 17th place for the Lady Royals.
“This is the largest participation in the history of the J.D. Mac run,” shared Dobson. “The weather was perfect too.”
Jay’s girl’s times:
Jessica Thornton 21:11
Carsen Arrant 22:47
Savannah Brown 22:50
Jenna Thornton 23:20
Carly Sanders 26:45
Kendra Weeks 28:43
RayAnn Free 28:59
Jay’s boy’s time:
Micah Kemp 16:16
Cody Wolfe 17:47
Casey Zylstra 19:08
Austin Gonzalaes 19:08.82
Mark Foley 21:14
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Kemp ranked in top three statewide in cross country