Amaris Munya started her cross country season in the US with a personal best of 20min 17sec in the 5K at the Florida Horse Park Invitational.

Munya’s effort in Ocala was more than a minute faster than the 21:28.20 she ran to finish 21st at the Florida High School Athletic Association Region 2A-2 last November. She was 50th overall from a field of 400 and helped Montverde Academy’s girls to thirteenth place from 49 teams.

On the same course last year, the young athlete clocked 23:23.30 in muddy conditions to settle for 187th position.

“I’m satisfied with how my race went,” Munya told The Royal Gazette. “I think it is a reflection of all the work I put in over the summer.”

During her summer break, the 16-year-old worked with strength and conditioning coach Liam Evans as well as Brandon Adkins on her swimming.

“My main goal during the summer was building my aerobic base and mentally preparing myself for a long season of competition.

“I had to sacrifice a lot and now I finally feel like I’m seeing the fruits of my labour. I cut 1min 11sec in an event I wouldn’t even say is my main one, then improved by over three minutes from last year on the same course.

“I know 20:17 isn’t the fastest I can go and I have much more in my legs. I’m just going to continue to trust God, the process, my training and keep pushing myself as much as I can.

“I’m very excited for this coming season of cross country and track and field. It’s my senior year and I’m ready to prove myself.

“Last year I had a lot of setbacks and adversities, but I know it was just the Lord planting his seeds and now I get to experience the flowers.”