Fort Myers runners have shared goal

Pair vow to support one another during races.

1:00 AM, Sep. 20, 2012 EDT

Fort Myers High runner Ace Brown, 17, finished second at the Optimist meet Saturday. / Terry Allen Williams/news-press.com

A mismatch of running styles meant a rethinking of strategy for the Fort Myers High School boys cross country team.

Senior Ace Brown and junior Tyler Bennett vowed to support one another as teammates and to run together in the early going of races as the 2012 season began.

After the first two big races of the season, they will continue to do the former but may have to disband the latter goal of running together, at least at the start of races.

Brown and Bennett nearly met at the finish line Saturday at the Fort Myers Optimist Invitational.

Brown placed second with a time of 16:18, and Bennett placed third with a time of 16:23.