The Scoop: A Real Deal Sophomore, A Texas Invite And More

Patrick Koon Is The Real Deal

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The word was out on Patrick Koon a year ago. 

As a freshman for Tallahassee Leon (FL) High School in 2020, he was among the best in the country for his class, clocking a season best 15:55.50 for 5K -- which finished 17th-best in the Class of 2024 -- as he went on to finish fifth at the FHSAA Class 3A Cross Country State Championships at Apalachee Regional Park. 

Some superb track performances followed in outdoor track, including a blistering 9:07.78 for 3,200m, which would finish as the No. 1 time in the freshman class for that campaign. 

This past weekend, he didn't skip a beat. 

* Race video from the Cecil Fields Invitational

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Koon rocketed out of the gate for Leon in his first meet on Saturday in Jacksonville, winning the Cecil Field Summer Classic in a career best time of 15:15.00 -- not to mention a 184 speed rating -- to open with a US No. 6 and Florida No. 1 time. 

And he did so against some stellar Florida talent, as St. Johns Country Day School's Matthew Stratton was second in 15:21 and Trinity Prep's Nick Carpenter -- one of Florida's top runners -- was third in 15:26. Viera's Michael Toppi finished fourth in 15:26.00 and Satellite's Justin Wilson was fifth in 15:38.00. 

Koon's performance was the fifth-fastest time of the weekend. 

Team wide, the Viera boys claimed the win with 80 points, while Satellite was second with 98 and Jacksonville Bolles was third with 103.

Top 10 Boys Finishers