With momentum, experience, and a full offseason of training behind them, the 2025 East Ridge High School boys cross country team is poised to make history as the most successful team the school has ever produced.

Coming off a record-breaking 2024 season one that saw the Knights qualify for the FHSAA 4A State Finals for the first time, East Ridge returns its entire roster, along with a promising newcomer in what could be a championship-caliber campaign.

(Axel Sallault is the fastest cross-country runner in East Ridge High history.)

Axel Sallault, who broke his own school record last season by clocking 15:40 at the New World Fall Spectacular in Jacksonville, finished eighth at the state finals as a sophomore, the fastest sophomore in the field. His goals for 2025 include a sub-15:30 mark and a top-five finish at states.

This year Axel is looking to push that record even lower, but he is not the only one chasing big things.

Indeed, Axel is backed by a deep and experienced squad led by seniors Caleb Walker and Gustavo Vargas. Caleb, currently the second-fastest runner in school history (16:04), played a pivotal role in East Ridge’s state qualification last year. He aims to break the 16-minute barrier and earn a medal at the 2025 state meet. Gustavo, who ran 16:54 last season and set a school record in the 800 meters during track season, is expected to be a major contributor as well.

(Seniors James Laack and Clayton Smith. Photo Credit – South Lake Photography.)

The roster features an unprecedented level of senior leadership. Alongside Caleb and Gustavo are veterans Dylan McCleary, James Laack, Scott Bori, Owen Degges, Daniel Baggett, Andrew Conway, and Clayton Smith. Several have been with the program all four years and have consistently competed in the varsity top seven.

Junior runners Tyce Ertel, Eli Parks, Christopher Stuemke, and Ethan Laack bring additional varsity experience. Tyce is on the verge of breaking into the program’s top 10 all-time list, while Eli and Christopher aim to dip further under the 20-minute mark. Ethan, who missed the 2024 season due to injury, looks to return to his sub-19 form from his freshman year.

(Caleb Walker is the second fastest runner in East Ridge High School history. He is only 24 seconds off of Axel Sallault’s time.)

The team’s depth continues with a strong sophomore class led by Aubin Sallault and Watson Dunham, both of whom ran sub-18 times as freshmen and ranked among the top 100 freshmen in the state last season. Also returning are sophomores Gavan Flaugher, Maddox Nickolaou, Aiden Floudiotis, Sidney Stewart, and Isaac Bori, all of whom are coming off impressive freshman seasons.

The only newcomer in 2025 is freshman Jonahel Vazquez, a standout from East Ridge Middle School. Jonahel is a two-time Lake County and Florida Middle School state champion and is expected to make an immediate impact.

After a summer filled with early-morning conditioning while many peers were still sleeping, the Knights now look to reap the rewards. With state championship ambitions and the potential to rewrite the program’s record books, East Ridge heads into the 2025 season with high expectations and plenty of reasons to believe.