ORANGE PARK - Former St. Johns Country Day School state cross country and track champion returned home for a quick jaunt near his Orange Park neighborhood en route to a win at the Florida Striders Memorial Day 5K on Monday, May 27.

Stratton, now a University of Florida Gator, has been hampered by some minor injuries in his college first two years, but hammered away to a win in 16 minutes, eight seconds with Luke Klingerburg, 23, just a few steps behind him in 16:23. Daniel Erlandson, 30, was a close third in 16:50.

For the women, veteran Kelsey Pontius 32, won and placed sixth overall and convincingly with a 17:28 effort to win over Avery Hartely, 13, at an impressive 18:13 with Erin Heaney, 35, third at 18:34.

In Masters, former Fleming Island High cross country coach now 40, won with a 19;13 split.

For the male masters, Neil Chandler, 51, won with a 17:38 time.

In a mother/daughter age group double, Krueger, a long-time Jacksonville road runner and former coach at Episcopal High School, and daughter Stella, 14, both won their respective age groups with Mom Michelle finishing a bit stronger with a 20:24 to 20:41 edge.

The race, part of the 1st Place Sports Jacksonville Grand Prix series, had 728 starters.

Next up with Run for the Pies 5K on Sat, June 8 in downtown Jacksonville.