Flagler Palm Coast's Slaughter and Seth, Matanzas' Cerasi Shine at State Cross Country Championships

Flagler Palm Coast High School's Arianna Slaughter and Douglas Seth, along with Matanzas High's Peyton Cerasi, delivered standout performances at the state cross country championships on Saturday, November 22, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.

 

In the Class 4A girls' race, senior Arianna Slaughter secured a 10th-place finish, clocking in at 18:40.4. This achievement capped off a remarkable season for Slaughter, who had previously set a school record of 18:17.3 at regionals. Her dedication and hard work culminated in this well-deserved All-State recognition.

 

Sophomore Peyton Cerasi of Matanzas High continued her impressive cross country career by placing 11th in the Class 3A girls' race with a time of 19:00.4. This marks her second consecutive year as an All-State medalist, following a seventh-place finish in the Class 4A race last year. Cerasi's consistent excellence underscores her status as a rising star in the sport.

 

Freshman Douglas Seth made a significant impact in the Class 4A boys' race, finishing 13th with a time of 16:01.1. His performance is particularly noteworthy as he becomes the first FPC boys' state medalist since Braedyn Wormeck's 11th-place finish in 2023. Seth's competitive spirit was evident as he edged out Largo's Isaiah Howdeshell by one-tenth of a second at the finish line.

 

The Matanzas boys' team also showcased their depth and determination, securing a ninth-place finish in the Class 3A team standings. Leading the Pirates were Blaine Vogel (25th, 16:21.9), freshman Dylan Ciardi (29th, 16:26.7), and Brant Tarsitano (44th, 16:41.9). Their collective effort reflects the team's commitment to excellence throughout the season.

 

Reflecting on the season, FPC coach David Halliday praised Slaughter's achievements, stating, "Her goal has been to be an All-State medalist. She put the time in, and she got it done. It was a great way for her to close out her cross country career."

 

Matanzas coach Katie Hoover expressed pride in her team's performance, noting, "It's nice to see all the hard work pay off. The boys were ranked 10th pretty much the whole last month. The girls were ranked 18th and they came in 16th, so they both overachieved."

 

These accomplishments highlight the dedication and talent present in Flagler County's cross country programs, promising a bright future for the sport in the region.