Sangely and Antunez-Perez Won Spanish River Invitational
The annual cross-country meet featured notable wins at the Rick Rothman Cross Country Course.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Track & Field
Casey Sangely and Alba Antunez-Perez secured victories at the 44th annual Spanish River Invitational held in Boca Raton. Additionally, the Spanish River girls team captured the overall team championship.
Why it matters
The event serves as a major benchmark for regional runners as they progress through the cross-country season. Success at this course often signals strong form for athletes and teams competing in upcoming state championship series.
Casey Sangely completed his race in 15:46.41, while Alba Antunez-Perez clocked a winning time of 18:03.19. Their performances contributed to their state rankings, with Antunez-Perez currently ranked 7th and Sangely 26th in Florida.
The players
Casey Sangely
He is a high school runner who achieved a first-place finish at the 44th annual Spanish River Invitational.
Alba Antunez-Perez
She is a top-ranked Florida distance runner who secured victory in her race at the meet.
Michael Gomez
He is a cross-country runner who claimed the title in the Class 1A/2A division during the event.
Spanish River
This is the high school athletic program whose girls team captured the championship at the invitational.
The details
Runners competed on the Rick Rothman Cross Country Course located within Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park. The Spanish River girls team claimed the title by placing five scoring runners in the top 16, while the boys team finished fourth behind G. Holmes Braddock, Columbus, and Doral Academy.
Timeline
Michael Gomez won the Class 1A/2A race on September 18, 2026.
Casey Sangely and Alba Antunez-Perez won their races on September 19, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The results from this 44th annual Spanish River Invitational provide a clearer picture of the current competitive hierarchy in Florida cross-country. These performances help solidify the regional standings as teams shift their focus toward the post-season qualification process.
The Spanish River girls team victory confirms their status as a frontrunner for upcoming regional championships. Meanwhile, the individual winning times of 15:46.41 and 18:03.19 set the bar for other runners aiming to improve their seedings for future meets.
The takeaway
Maintaining consistent training throughout the early season remains the most critical factor for athletes peaking at the right time. Runners should use results from major invitationals like this to identify specific split-time improvements needed for the remainder of the calendar.
Further reading
For more on local sports performances, visit Track & Field.
