That's how many county cross country titles? Clayton Knight leads Vanguard to another
Clayton Knight sprinted down the stretch with his eyes fixed on the electronic finish line less than 16 minutes after taking off like a rocket. By the time second place crossed the finish line, Knight had caught his breath to cheer for his teammates.
It’s Knight’s second county-wide Cross Country meet championship of his career. Since he’s stepped on a long-distance track, he’s shaved 174 seconds off his best time.
“I wasn’t sure how the competition would be, but I just want to go out there and give the best effort I could,” Knight said. “I was excited. It’s my senior year, so I wanted to leave it all out there.”
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Leaving everything on the course was all Vanguard head cross country coach James Travieso could ask for. Knight has become the front man for Vanguard’s 22nd and 23rd consecutive boys county title-winning teams. Rachel Hill’s second-place finish helped the girls' team take its 13th championship in a row.
Travieso, the long-time distance running coach owes much of his success to his progressive overload training program. His team doesn’t focus on a distance. They’re about improving from yesterday’s experience.
“It’s the kids working hard, sacrificing,” Travieso said. “I always say it’s all of us, the parents, the kids, all buying in and accepting the sacrifice. I tell the kids it’s not for everybody, but if you’re willing to put in the work, it’ll reward your hard work.”
Knight has made a name for himself as a top 15 runner in the state and will guide the Vanguard as it seeks a state title.
On the girls side, Forest's Jordan McLean is forging a legacy of her own. McLean became the first non-Vanguard runner to take first in the county since Belleview’s Anne-Marie Blaney in 2011. McLean finished in 19:51.32, the fastest time in the event since 2016.
After sitting out her sophomore season, McLean came into the season as a dark horse winner. After a season of first-place finishes and never falling below 12th, the Wildcats’ top runner ran away with the win.
“I started off well this season because I took a break last season, so I wasn’t expecting a lot, but I’ve definitely improved throughout my races,” McLean said.
While sitting out, she continued training, running three miles every day before school to stay in shape. Her love for the sport and a mental refresh brought her back stronger.
She toed the line at the county meet on a six-race win streak. With more than 30 seconds of separations between McLean and second place, she broke the finish line, proud and exhausted.
“I expected to get top three,” McLean said. ”There were a couple of girls from Vanguard and Belleview that I was going after.”
Under the tutelage of first-year coaches, Jacob Pacifici and Scott Snyder, McLean’s improved in each race. Pacifici is a former Wildcat who ran cross country at Southeastern University. Snyder has a background and his participation in distance running competitions.
“We’re extremely proud of the work she’s doing this season,” Pacifici said. “She shows up to morning practices all the time.”
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: A cross country favorite and dark horse take home county championship
