Former Wellington High star Ashley Brasovan has long set the standard for distance running excellence in Florida. Nearly two decades after her decorated prep career ended, her place atop the state's cross country hierarchy remains secure.
Brasovan was recently recognized by FLRunners, Florida's premier high school running news outlet and statistical database, as the greatest high school cross country runner
in Florida history.Her résumé at Wellington is still unmatched. Brasovan won four consecutive Class 4A state championships from 2005-08. She also won the 2007 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships national title in San Diego and finished as the national runner-up in 2008.
FLRunners' Mark Stonecipher called Brasovan the "undisputed queen of
Florida cross country" and noted she remains the only Floridian to win an outright national cross country championship.
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What further separates Brasovan from the competition is that FLRunners' "GOAT" distinction was awarded regardless of gender.
Among the female contenders, Brasovan's accomplishments eclipsed those of Olympic bronze medalist and former world champion Jennifer (Barringer) Simpson of Oviedo High School and former University of Florida star Parker Valby of East Lake High School. Among the leading male candidates, Leon's Patrick Koon, Belen Jesuit's Marcelo Mantecon and Nease's Rheinhardt Harrison could not match Brasovan's combination of state and national championships.
In a state that has produced Olympians, national champions and some of the nation's most accomplished distance runners, Brasovan's achievements remain the benchmark for cross country greatness. Her four state titles and national championship remain the benchmark for cross country greatness in Florida.
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Wellington's Ashley Brasovan named 'GOAT' of Florida cross country
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