Merritt Island's James goes the distance, wins first cross country race

Former sprinter took up sport months ago

 

1:19 AM, Nov 4, 2012   |  

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Merritt Island cross country team: The Merritt Island cross country team accepts the trophy for winning the team title at districts Saturday.

PALM BAY — For a guy who had never won a cross country race, Merritt Island's Carlos James certainly ran like he knew what he was doing on Saturday.

Jones finished his Class 3A, District 13 race in 17:32.89, four seconds ahead of Melbourne's Alec Reesh and just months after he took up the sport. Jones is a converted 400-meter runner whose own transformation is representative of what has happened with the Mustangs distance program. In two years, Merritt Island's new emphasis on distance has turned the boys and girls teams into district contenders.

The Merritt Island girls took five of the top six spots at Palm Bay Regional Park on Saturday — including first through third — and finished first ahead of host Melbourne. The Bulldogs won the boys race by placing four in the top six, and the Mustangs were the team runners-up.