On-Site Coverage
Sarasota runners soared to victory in the 3A District 10 finale at Eagle Lake Park Thursday, taking home the top three places in both the boys and girls race.
Sarasota Freshman Sage Lyons had created a commanding lead by the half way point and never looked back. She turned in a blistering time of 18:51.68 to beat all other girls to the finish line. Angelina Grebe captured 2nd place and 3rd was taken by Emily Harding, both of Sarasota. In fact, Sarasota went home with six of the top ten places! Julia Ortiz of Lakewood Ranch broke up the Sarasota party finishing fourth. Ortiz was in the lead group at the beginning of the race, but slipped back, and was less than a second out of third.
A similar tale was told in the boys event. Zachary Summerall continued his winning ways as he took advantage of a fast course to set another school record for the second time in the past month at a blazing time of 15:13.60. He took it slow for the first 400 meters and opened up a little more around 600 meters when he had more room to work with. Summerall and teammate Adam Brandtmueller worked together from the mile marker until the two mile mark when they crossed at 9:45, then Summerall ran alone. Bradtmueller also bested the latest school record finishing just 12 seconds behind Zachary. Teammate Brandon Drumm rounded out the top three. This accomplishment is even more impressive when the strength of the field is considered; all 15 of the Individual Regional Qualifiers finished under 17:11!
The top four teams from this District advance to Regionals. For the girls that will be Sarasota (1st), Lakewood Ranch (2nd), Boca Ciega (3rd) and Osceola (4th). Sarasota finished 1st for the boys, while Venice, Northeast and Lakewood Ranch came in 2nd, 3rd and 4th, respectively.