Marathon sophomore Tony Bursa takes district crown, Dolphins finish second

Tony Bursa of Marathon won the District 8 boys title on November 4 at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton, posting a personal record 17 minutes and 19 seconds to break the tape for the 1A Dolphins. Marathon claimed the runner up team trophy, with three Dolphins earning top twenty medals and contributing to the program's continued prominence in Keys cross country. Bursa followed in the footsteps of his older brother Vance, who won the district crown in 2024.

Marathon’s depth helped secure the team result. Sophomore Allan Taylor finished seventh overall in 18 minutes and 1 second, also recording a personal best. Senior Caleb Shelar took 11th in 18 minutes and 40 seconds, adding a personal record of his own. Freshman Lucian Burns returned to competition in a racing flat after wearing a walking boot for a stress fracture and placed 18th in 19 minutes and 10 seconds, a respectable result in his first race back.

Monroe County programs beyond Marathon also showed competitive efforts across the district fields. Key West boys and Coral Shores athletes were visible on the course, with Coral Shores runner Alaric Rodriguez pushing hard down the stretch. On the girls side, competitors including Ali Wheatley and Hurricane Jamie Cary made notable mid race moves and strong finishes. Images from the meet captured teams and individual efforts, from pre race huddles to final kicks, reflecting broad participation across the Keys.

Those district performances fed directly into the regional schedule. Keys runners converged again at South County Regional Park on November 14 for regional competition, with staggered start times across the divisions. The Nov. 14 regional meet represented the next step on the postseason calendar for athletes seeking qualification to state level events and for programs aiming to measure themselves against a larger South Florida field.

For local residents the results matter on several levels. Individual personal records signal athlete development and successful coaching, while Marathon’s runner up finish highlights program depth that can boost school spirit and community engagement. Burn recovery stories like Lucian Burns provide a reminder of the role school sports play in youth health and resilience. As regional results settle out, coaches and families will weigh outcomes for postseason planning and for sustaining momentum into the winter off season.

The district meet also reinforced a longstanding local tradition of cross country competition drawing attention to Monroe County schools. With multiple athletes recording personal bests and teams advancing to regionals, the Keys running community can point to tangible progress and reasons for continued support from local sports fans and school officials.