Cacciatore and Friedel lead the HS Field - I Run for Pizza 5K

Running Zone's "I Run for Pizza 5K" over the years has become a de facto time trial on the roads of Viera to see where local harriers on the Space Coast stack up after a long "off-season" of high mileage base work. 

Last year, Holy Trinity's Andrew Cacciatore finished 3rd overall and was the first high schooler across the line in 15:55.90.  Andrew subsequently finished 2nd at the 1A State XC meet and returns for his senior XC season as one the pre-eminent favorites in 1A. 

Holy Trinity's Andrew Cacciatore finishes 2nd overall

SEE THE PRE-SEASON 1A BOYS TEAM RANKINGS HERE

This year, Andrew moved up a notch and improved his time slightly, going 15:53.50, splitting 5:07 for the first mile and passing through the deuce at 10:17 (5:10), closing in roughly 5:03, all things being equal.  For the second year in a row, Andrew was the first high school boy finisher on the hot, muggy course.

Andrew felt, "The race this morning went well. It was a little hot and muggy out, but other that that the race was a good indicator of the time put in by the team. A few of the guys had some PRs so we'll expect big things from them this fall. And for the most part everyone ran well".

The first high school girl across the line isn't even a real high schooler quite yet but was a Holy Trinity Tiger, 13 year old, rising 8th grader Sydney Friedel.  Sydney really smashed her 5k PR going 19:49.70 for 4th overall in the female category and 36th overall in the field of 698 finishers. 

Sydney felt here race was a "good race and a great way to start the season".  We'll say.  Sydney's PR's are 2:32 in the 800, 5:35 in the 1600, and 12:02 in the 3200.  What a great start to the season indeed.

SEE THE FULL RACE RESULTS HERE

* Photo's provided by Running Zone/Barry "Trihokie" Jones