Dillard’s Richards, South Plantation’s Lazo secure BCAA cross-country titles

Neither Abigail Richards of Dillard nor David Lazo of South Plantation ran the fastest times of the year by any BCAA cross-country runner this year.

But what both athletes did at the 2025 BCAA championships at Markham Park on Monday was run the fastest times of the day to become this year’s individual champions.

The Panthers successfully defended the girls’ team title and have now won five consecutive BCAA titles, while the Cypress Bay boys regained the team title after winning it in 2023.

Richards, who finished fifth last year with a time of 19:47.65, shaved 13 seconds off that mark with a winning time of 19:34.1.

“I didn’t do too bad today,” Richards said. “I’m working on the little things when I’m running. I got out good to run on my own, finish strong and make it to the finish line.”

Added Dillard coach Davidson Gill: “We’ve had some injuries, and Abby has taken on the role of our leader. She taken advantage of the opportunity and to have a great season. Running at this level gives her the belief that she belongs.”

Kendall Parrott of St. Thomas Aquinas finished second at 19:50.6, while Claire Chanon of Cardinal Gibbons was third at 19:56.0.

Lazo entered Monday’s meet with the fourth fastest time of the season among BCAA male runners. Though his winning time of 16:52.2 was good enough on Monday, it was still shy of his best time of the year at 16:44.70.

“I’m very happy with how things went,” Lazo said. “When I started the race I wanted to stay out of trouble and bring down my momentum. After that I wanted to keep my stride composed of having enough momentum to finish the race and be in a good spot. When it was time to go, I pushed it to bring it home.”

His winning time was nearly 18 seconds better than second place finisher Prince Valbrun of Northeast (17:11.6). Malcolm Spence IV of Flanagan finished third at 17:20.3.

“We tell Lazo he’s a big fish in a little pond,” South Plantation coach Roger Archer said. “I told him it’s not about the kids you are running against, but it’s your time. I told him to be ready and train hard.”

All of Monday’s runners still have several weeks to improve on their times with districts set for the first week of November.

RESULTS

Boys’ team: 1. Cypress Bay 61; 2. Flanagan 70; 3. Coral Springs 74; 4. Taravella 78; 5. Western 99; 6. Cardinal Gibbons 127; 7. St. Thomas Aquinas 140; Individuals: 1. David Lazo (SP) 16:52.2; 2. Prince Valbrun (NE) 17:11.6; 3. Malcolm Spence IV (FLAN) 17:20.3; 4. Sebastian Gonzalez (SB) 17:24.7; 5. Craig Dennis (TARA) 17:29.8; 6. Sebastian Nunez-Silva (WEST) 17:30.5; 7. Matthew Wykpisz (CS) 17:31.7; 8. Berezin Dimitri (CB) 17:41.8; 9. Collin Presser (WEST) 17:43.3; 10. JahRee Pierre (TARA) 17:48.8; 11. Bradford Jeoboham (BA) 17:54.8; 12. Carlo Baylon (CB) 17:56.9; 13. Grant Evans (SP) 18:04.7; 14. Fabio Castillo (CGL) 18:0t6.6; 15. Gian Carlo De Bastos (PPC) 18:15.3.

Girls’ team: 1. Dillard 34; 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 77; 3, Cardinal Gibbons 81; 4. Coral Springs Charter 118; 5. Stoneman Douglas 132; 6. Taravella 171; 7. Cooper City 173; 8. Coral Springs 227; 9. Cypress Bay 242; 10. Pembroke Pines Charter 262; Individuals: 1. Abigail Richards (DILL) 19:34.1; 2. Kendall Parrott (STA) 19:50.6; 3. Claire Chanon (CG) 19:56.0; 4. Olivia Higgins (CS) 20:12.6; 5. Shynah Collins (DILL) 20:14.0; 6. Molly Murphy (CG) 20:18.5; 7. Peyton Williams (DILL) 20:19.7; 8. Allison Albrect (CG) 24.42.0; 9. Miley Gill (DILL) 20:47.6; 10. Madeleine De Locoste (COOP) 20:59.1; 11. Tory Gardiner (WEST) 20:52.4; 12. Kelly Greene (DILL) 20:55.5; 13. Lily Richardson (CSC) 21:08.3; 14. Elise Brown (STA) 21:08.4; 15. Olivia Noel (TARA) 21:18.6.