Cocoa Beach High School athletes claimed multiple top finishes in the 5000-meter run at the Merritt Island Cross Country meet, showcasing strong performances by both girls and boys teams. Emanne Beasha of Cocoa Beach secured first place with a time of 22:28.10, while several teammates followed closely behind in the rankings. The event, held at the Merritt Island Cross Country Course, drew competitors from across the region.
In the girls' race, Beasha's time of 22:28.10 edged out Kira Schuh, who finished fourth with 23:26.80. Tatum Johnson placed sixth at 23:51.00, and Kira Furton-Sparks took seventh with 23:52.40. Natalia Soto finished ninth at 25:30.50, and Autumn Hayes placed 15th with a time of 26:48.90. The girls' team had multiple runners within the top 20, reflecting consistent performance across the lineup.
On the boys' side, Aiden Karl of Cocoa Beach led the way with a first-place finish at 17:17.00. Wenn Gilbertson came in second with 17:36.70, and Rylan Reyes placed third at 17:49.30. Asher Cerveny finished eighth at 18:55.70, and Lars Manning placed ninth with 19:09.10. The boys' team also had multiple runners in the top 20, with Joseph Vicidomini finishing 10th at 19:19.50.
The meet, a staple of the local cross country calendar, drew over 200 competitors. Coaches noted the tight competition, with times often separated by seconds. 'It's a tough course, but our athletes handled it well,' said one coach. The results highlight Cocoa Beach High's depth in distance running, with multiple athletes placing in the top tiers of the event.