Grace Blair and Oak Hall Continue Dominance, Pocket-Sized Cooper LaBrant KO's 1A Goliaths Andy Warrener Oct 29, 2016

Grace Blair of Oak Hall and Cooper LaBrant of Indian Rocks Christian both finished second at last year's regional, but came away with gold in 2016. On the team front the Oak Hall girls achieved their goal of winning with less than 40 points, while the boys had it a little harder edging out St. Stephens Episcopal by THREE points 97-100. Andy Warrener recaps all the 1A Region 2 action.

Stafford, Ogilvie Take 2A to Task, AHN Jags Steal Title with Platoon Tactics Andy Warrener Oct 29, 2016

Both individual races in 2A- Region 3 were dominated by individual runners. On the girls side, it was Lemon Bay's Kelsi Oglivie, on the boys side it was Lake Wales' Paul Stafford. The Lely boys led by Joshua Wagner won the regional title over Dunbar while on the girl's side Academy of Holy Names and Berkeley Prep both used their depth to finish 1-2. Andy Warrener recaps all the action.

Gator Girls Abernathy, Acosta and Vanguard’s Lavieri-Sosa Gobble up Top Spots in 3A-2 Regional Meet Andy Warrener Oct 29, 2016

Land O' Lakes sophomore Natalie Abernathy and Vanguard junior Diego Lavieri-Sosa brought home their first regional championships by taking the 3A-2 crown at Holloway Park in times of 19:17.37 and 16:13.20. On the team side, Vanguard and Matanzas finished 1-2 while Logan Locascio and the Gainsville boys won by 18 points over New Smyrna Beach. Andy Warrener recaps all the action.

Warriors Sweep Team, Wildcats Sweep Indis in Brutal 4A District 6 Andy Warrener Oct 21, 2016

Having already asserted themselves at the Hillsborough County meet a week ago and all but one meet they competed in this season, the Steinbrenner Warriors swept both boys and girls titles at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.

Berkeley Prep Bucs, Academy of the Holy Names Jags Extend District Title Streaks Andy Warrener Oct 21, 2016

Both defending district champions from 2015 held serve at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. First up were the girls and while the Academy Jaguars didn't return Greta Dieck to the top of the podium, junior Emma Zazzero came through to win the title for the Jags. Zazzero has emerged as the Jags' top runner in 2016.

Lyons’ Roar, Rivera’s Flow, Mustangs/Rams Bag District Titles at Taylor Park in Largo Andy Warrener Oct 20, 2016

Florida state cross country district meets got underway this week. The Class 4A District 8 meet kicked off Thursday morning at Taylor Park in Largo. The course at Taylor Park is as straightforward as it gets in cross country. Two laps around the Taylor Reservoir make the course with a slight split to the right for the last 10 meters into the finish line.

4A District 8 Featured Photo Album: Top Fifteen Individuals Move On To Regionals Andy Warrener Oct 20, 2016

Andy Warrener was on-site at the 4A District 8 Championship at Taylor Park in Largo and captured nearly 300 photos of all the action including the boys race where athletes jostled for position hoping to make it in the top 15 and advance to regionals.

Bailey Hertenstein & Halftom Fliegelman Strike, Steinbrenner Sweeps Hillsborough County Cross Country Championships Andy Warrener Oct 14, 2016

On the nicest day of the cross country season and the fastest course in Hillsborough County, the county cross country championships at Al Lopez Park in Tampa, made for some eye-popping times and the Tampa powerhouse Steinbrenner swept both varsity races and both JV races.

Land O’ Lakes’ Abernathy, Normandia Sweep Individual Titles, Host Wiregrass Ranch Gobbles Up the Team Titles Andy Warrener Oct 08, 2016

Hurricane Matthew threatened the Sunshine Athletic Conference or Pasco County cross country meet on Saturday. The close brush with the Category 4 hurricane forced cancellations of athletic event all over the state. The early season meet, the Wiregrass Ranch Run with the Bulls did get cancelled in the wake of Tropical Storm Hermine. The Citrus/Hernando County meet scheduled for last Thursday was postponed and dozens of Friday football games got re-scheduled. Fortunately, the storm had passed by Saturday morning, leaving a soggy, muddy course that spattered just about every runner on the course but nevertheless, the meet went on.

Pint-sized Dynamos Garba, LaBrant Find Ways to Level the Seesaw Andy Warrener Oct 04, 2016

It's no secret that being a taller, longer-legged athlete is an advantage in cross country. Jacksonville Bolles' Caitlin Collier is a great example. United States Olympic silver medalist Galen Rupp is 5-10, Usain Bolt is 6-5. There's no doubt that when jockeying for position out of the gates and coming in for that last kick, having those long strides is a definite advantage. So how do smaller runners adapt?

Steinbrenner, Newsome Split Titles at Land O’ Lakes Gator Invitational Andy Warrener Oct 01, 2016

The 20th Annual Land O' Lakes Gator Invitational, recently renamed the Keppel Invite after late Gator coach Kris Keppel went off on Saturday at Crews Lake Park in Spring Hill. The course was a familiar one for many teams, starting down a grass straightaway before hitting pavement, then circling clockwise around the open starting area. 

Shorecrest’s Olivia Rovin, Gulf’s John Jessup Take Top Honors at Mitchell (Mike Holl) Invite Andy Warrener Sep 24, 2016

The Mitchell Invitational at Jay B Starkey Park in New Port Richey was in its ninth year on Saturday. However, it was the first year the meet was renamed in memory of former coach Mike Holl. Holl succumbed to brain cancer in February and his presence was an inspiring factor to not only Mitchell runners but to every runner from the 28 teams present. 

Lima and Osceola Girls, LaBrant and East Lake Boys Capture Titles at Tri-City Battle at the Beach Andy Warrener Sep 17, 2016

The Kiwanis Tri-City Classic at Sand Key Park was more like a battle on the beach as area teams braved the sun and the sand. East Lake's Jen Lima and Indian Rocks Christian's Cooper LaBrant won individual titles while the Osceola girls and East Lake boys took home team trophies.

Land O’ Lakes’ Girls Sweep Top Spots, Trevor Foley Leaves No Doubt at RiverWood Invite Andy Warrener Sep 10, 2016

With a slew of meets going down all across the state, Pasco and Hernando County teams gathered at the Concourse Pavilion at the Pasco County Sheriff Department's Safety Town in Spring Hill. 

Lakewood's Hannah McAuliffe, Justin Skyler Walker Take Top Honors at St. Pete Green Devil Invite Andy Warrener Aug 30, 2016

Unpredictable weather is par for the course in Florida. If it's raining in one town, it could be dry in the next. If it's raining one minute, it might be clear the next. The course at Crescent Lake Park in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday was just that. An overcast start gave way to bouts of torrential rainfall, forcing meet officials to cancel the awards ceremony. 

Steinbrenner Girls Step Out Big in Wesley Chapel Wildcat Invite Andy Warrener Aug 27, 2016

Hillsborough County powerhouse Steinbrenner made a resounding statement at the Wesley Chapel Wildcat Invitational on Saturday, pushing four runners into the top six and all seven runners into the top 10 and scoring a razor thin 20, easily out-pacing runner up Land O' Lakes with 43. Sunlake girls took third with 76. 

Class A State Track: Farragut Boys, Oak Hall Girls Take Team Honors Andy Warrener May 09, 2016

Some of the smallest schools made some of the biggest waves at the 2016 FHSAA state track meet at IMG Academy over the weekend. The Admiral Farragut boys and Oak Hall girls took home team titles. Farragut boys, after the girls team won the 2015 state meet, made it their first team title in the school's 85-year history. Much of that can be attributed to the exploits of sprinter Alex Gray. 

Class 2A State Track: Bolles’ Collier Sweeps Distance Events, AMH Best Of Boys Teams Andy Warrener May 09, 2016

If there was a highlight to the Class 2A state track meet at IMG Academy in Bradenton, its name was Caitlyn Collier. Collier pulled off one of the most difficult feats possible in high school state track, a sweep of the 800m, 1600m and the 3200m. It puts Collier, still just a sophomore, in an elite class of state performers and into the FHSAA state record book.

Class 3A State Track Coverage: Chiles Boys Repeat, MNW Lady Bulls Win 8th Straight Andy Warrener May 08, 2016

Nothing has been able to stop the Miami Northwestern Bulls, not for the last eight years. The Bulls made it their eighth straight and their 13th overall championship over the weekend at IMG Academy in Bradenton. It was not even close. The Bulls amassed 157 points over Friday and Saturday. Runner up Northeast came in at 43.50. The Bulls don't just do it with a handful of athletes.

Class 4A State Track Coverage: You Can’t Stop a Hurricane Andy Warrener May 08, 2016

Once in a long while and individual's performance transcends any combined team efforts. Once in a long while an individual does something so heroic, so indelible that it lives on in the hearts and minds of track fans for years to come. Such an event occurred at the 2016 FHSAA state track meet in Bradenton over the weekend.

Lake Wales’ Maiah Walker is Going to Make You Run Her Race Andy Warrener May 04, 2016

With all the regional action taking place last week, the 400m final results from the Class 2A Region 3 meet might have slipped under the radar. Making her mark at Berkeley Prep in Tampa last Thursday, was Lake Wales sophomore Mariah Walker. Walker has come, seemingly out of nowhere, to take over the best 400m time in the state of Florida and the third-best time in the United States this season. Lined up against 2014 400m state champ Janae Caldwell of Spoto, Walker surged out in front.

Lely Boys, Berkeley Girls Win Titles, Lake Wales’ Sophomore Maiah Walker Runs US #3 in 400m Andy Warrener Apr 30, 2016

Yes, you read that headline correctly. In by far the most exhilarating race of the entire Class 2A Region 3 meet at Berkeley Prep in Tampa, Lake Wales sophomore Maiah Walker set down a US #3 by going 53.27. Want to check the time sheets? Go ahead, I had to look at them three or four times to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me. 

Freshman Standouts Ani Wells, LaSarah Hargrove Lace Up For Four Year Showdown Andy Warrener Apr 28, 2016

Every track fan loves a good rivalry. Problem is, with just four short years in high school, rivalries rise and fall as quickly as prep athletes graduate and move on. In Tampa, there's a rivalry brewing that could stick this year and the next three years beyond. Enter Gaither freshman LaSarah Hargrove and Armwood freshman Ani Wells.

Gator Girls Roll, Gator Boys Win it by the Skin of Their Teeth Andy Warrener Apr 15, 2016

The Land O' Lakes Gator girls were going for their third straight district title. The Gator boys were going for their fifth. The Gator girls, so strong through the field events, had another huge day amassing 161 points to runner up Lecanto with 119. Sunlake was third with 102 and Pasco fourth with 94.

Steinbrenner Pulls 2-Team Sweep, Hurricane Hertenstein Dominates 1600, Wharton Girls Sweep 400 Andy Warrener Apr 10, 2016

Team honors went to the host Warriors on Saturday at Steinbrenner High School in Tampa but the Wharton girls, even without Aria Tate send a resounding statement as they swept the 400m, going 1-2-3 and then took first and third in the 200m.

Steinbrenner Invite LIVE UPDATES & Meet Preview Andy Warrener Apr 09, 2016

Set your alarm clocks and get ready for the 7th Annual Steinbrenner Invitational. Formerly the USF-Steinbrenner Invitational, the meet has since been pared down from some years over 70 teams to the 32 slated to compete on Saturday morning. The meet schedule kicks off early with some field events starting as early as 8am and can be seen LIVE on MileSplit.

Lakewood Girls, East Lake Boys Bag Team Titles While East Lake’s Lima Pulls Distance Trifecta Andy Warrener Apr 08, 2016

All season in Pinellas County, it's been north county East Lake and south county Lakewood vying for dominance. The virtual meet for the 2016 PCAC meet had the East Lake girls winning by a point. It wasn't quite that close but the prediction that it would be a tight race on both sides, held true.

Steinbrenner Sweeps, Freshman Phenom Ani Wells Goes 4­-­4, Hurricane Hertenstein Distance Double Andy Warrener Mar 30, 2016

Inclement weather nearly torpedoed the Vernon Korhn Hillsborough County Track and Field Championships Tuesday. The 4x800m got off and a few field events got scored before a deluge and lightning forced everyone indoors. Meet officials elected to postpone the meet until later in the evening and run timed finals. It proved to be the right call as the weather relented and the rest of the meet ran smoothly. 

Emily Gauvey: Putting the Pieces Together Andy Warrener Mar 24, 2016

Mitchell senior Emily Gauvey exploded onto the scene as a sophomore while at Anclote High School in Holiday, when she high jumped 5-8 at the March, 2014 Berkeley Prep Tailgate Invite. It vaulted her into the local and regional spotlight and set the ground work for a superb high school career. 

Inclement Weather Forces Abridged Lineup for 1st Annual IMG Academy Track Invitational Andy Warrener Mar 20, 2016

It looked like a great day for a track meet on arrival at the IMG Academy Invitational. The 4x800m went off without a hitch under overcast, cloudy skies and mild temperature but the first big storm of the new year wiped the slate of events off the docket and the athletes off the field.