Gaona-Zelaya, MacDonald Overcome Stormy Skies to Claim Titles at Ragin’ Storm
TAMPA, Fla. — Thunder rumbled over the Mary Help of Christians Center on Saturday as the 2025 cross country season officially got underway. True to its name, the Ragin Storm XC Challenge unfolded under threatening skies, but the athletes kept the spotlight on the course with standout performances that set the tone for the year.
Girls Race
On the girls’ side, three of Florida’s most decorated runners quickly separated themselves from the field. Wiregrass Ranch’s Natalia Gaona-Zelaya, Springstead’s Lainee Mercer, and East Lake’s Katelin Wilcox — who share five state medals between them — formed the lead pack early.
By the midway point, Gaona-Zelaya and Mercer broke away from Wilcox. Over the final mile, Gaona-Zelaya surged with authority, pulling clear to win in 18:55.96, 11 seconds ahead of Mercer. Her victory makes her just the third Floridian this season to dip under 19 minutes.
In the team standings, Steinbrenner High School dominated with four runners in the top 20, cruising to the title with 78 points. Osceola Fundamental claimed second (106), while Wiregrass Ranch and Robinson rounded out the top four. In one of the day’s tightest finishes, McKeel Academy edged Plant by a single point, 156–157.
Boys Race
The boys’ championship belonged to Robert MacDonald of Strawberry Crest, who turned a narrow lead into a runaway win. After controlling the pace through the first mile and a half, the senior surged between 1.5 and 2 miles to break the race open.
A chase pack of Lucas Rupp (Jesuit), Taegan McKinney (Wharton), and Dominic Sardonis (Angeline Academy) tried to respond, but MacDonald never looked back, stopping the clock at 16:25.39. Rupp emerged from the battle for second in 16:44.68, followed by McKinney (16:48.21) and eighth-grade standout Sardonis, who impressed with a fourth-place finish in 16:49.08.
The team race was equally competitive. George Jenkins prevailed with 116 points, narrowly holding off Jesuit (127). St. Petersburg finished third (139) and Plant fourth (149), with just 33 points separating the top four squads.
Looking Ahead
With opening weekend in the books, attention now turns to next Saturday’s Stampede Sprint at Wiregrass Ranch, where many of these teams and athletes will meet again under hopefully calmer skies.
