BOCA RATON — Palm Beach County’s top cross-country runner won the latest edition of The Palm Beach Post’s Athlete of the Week honor.

Preston Sangely set not only a personal record but a school record with his district time of 15:49.00, besting the record by over eight seconds.

"It feels great," Sangely said. "I couldn't do it without my amazing coach, Douglas Horn, and his beautiful training. I want to thank him a lot. Just being consistent and keep pushing for my team, and hopefully we get up there at states."

Despite a big lead in the early voting, Spanish River's community rallied to help Sangely edge Boca Christian's Caitlin Crino in the voting — a microcosm of the Sharks' cross-country star's close finishes in his sport this season, as well as a symbol of the runner coming away with a win at the finish line.

“He’s only a sophomore, so it’s pretty remarkable," coach Horn said. "He’s going to get stronger, faster. In my opinion, if he keeps working hard, he is a legitimate DI cross-country athlete.”

While Horn admits it's tough to medal at state competition as an underclassman, he acknowledges that Sangely finished as the fastest sophomore at the FSU Invitational that the team ran in early October.

"He's got a shot," Horn said. "I can only get him prepared. It's up to him if he decides he wants to go for it. When he decides he wants to go for it, he's capable of amazing things. He's one of those athletes that doesn't come around all the time."

Perhaps it runs in the family — literally. His brother, Casey, won the award for fastest freshman at the Spanish River Invitational earlier this season.

Spanish River Invitational results: Sharks runners impress at cross country meet

"We're both focusing on running and pushing each other and hopefully we make it up there, us two," Sangely said.

The process of getting the young star to believe in himself has been part of the journey, but Horn sees "unlimited" potential in Sangely, with plenty of room for growth.

And while there are many attributes that make Sangely the dynamic runner that he is, perhaps one intangible helps him stick out more than others.

"He hates to lose," Horn said. "He's a remarkable and resilient young man, and I'm not sure he knows yet how good he can really be."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: AOTW winner: Preston Sangely sets school record in pursuit of states