Fernandina Beach High School's boys cross country team won the team championship Saturday, Sept. 12, at the eighth annual Coach Hope Memorial Invitational, a meet the Pirates hosted at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club.

Juniors John William Martin and Malik Ravenell each finished in the top three of the boys race, powering the Pirates to the team title. Providence School junior Sean Cunningham, named the 2025 News4Jax Varsity 4 boys cross country runner of the year, posted a time of 16:42 in the race, according to the Florida Times-Union. The Fernandina Beach News-Leader reported the three runners finished first, second and third.

The result was no surprise. Martin entered the 2026 season with a personal best of 16:46 from his sophomore year, according to the Times-Union's preseason preview. Teammates Parker Pettit and Jack Janzow have both broken 18 minutes, giving the boys squad depth.

Cunningham brought elite credentials to the meet. He clocked a 15:18 personal best at Cecil Field and helped lead Providence to the 2025 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 1A boys state championship.

The Pirates still won the team title.

Kovalcik wins girls race, Lady Pirates place second

On the girls side, sophomore Maya Kovalcik delivered the standout individual performance for Fernandina Beach, winning the race in 20:22. Kovalcik earned a state medal in the 1,600 meters in spring 2026 and won the Cecil Field Summer Classic with a time of 20:12.

Her victory helped the Lady Pirates to a second-place team finish behind Providence School. Girls head coach Dave Reinhart said "it was a great event," according to the News-Leader.

Pirates turn to district, state postseason

Fernandina Beach competes in FHSAA District 2-2A for the 2026 cross country season. The next major meet on the Northeast Florida calendar is the Katie Caples Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 19, hosted by Bishop Kenny. The race features hundreds of runners from dozens of schools on a 5K course along the St. Johns River. The FHSAA cross country state championships are set for Friday, Nov. 20, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.