Just like that we are in the final month of XC 2014. A large round of invitationals await teams this week, before conference championships begin. The conference titles might not seem like a big deal in the scheme of things, but they can help build the momentum teams needs as they begin the playoff push toward the state series. I love playoffs in every sport. It pushes everybody to be at your best, or you might be watching your rivals take home season accolades that you so despearatley wanted yourself. The OBC schools were all over Florida this week, lets see how they fared.
Celebration: The Storm ran at Poinciana High School on Wednesday, but results are still pending. Next, they went to Clermont for the Clermont City Classic. The boys took 6th as a team but more importantly for them, they had their best season average and topped the other area schools in attendance. The girls did not have enough runners to score as a team. Celebration will compete this upcoming weekend at West Orange prior to the OBC championships on October 22 at St. Cloud High School.
Gateway: The Panthers also took part in the Clermont City Classic. I mentioned Samuel Espada in an earlier post as a sophomore, he is actually a senior and led the team with a 17:44. The ladies did not have enough runners to score as a team. Gateway will compete this weekend at West Orange prior to the OBC championships on Wednesday, October 22 at St. Cloud HS.
Harmony – The Wide World of Sports hosted several hundred teams for its annual meet this past weekend. Harmony ran on Saturday in what I felt was a slower course. The beginning was wide open and fast, but the back was a little tricky, several turns, mud, and a series of man made hills add some difficulty. Canyon Huff continues to lead, but his times have been in decline since UF. The girls times say about the same thing. A lot can be said about which courses teams decide to run at through the year. Fast courses make you look great in the rankings, but does that really help your team?
Liberty – They ran Wednesday at Poinciana, and had a fresh face rise to the winners circle, as freshamn Joshua Figueroa took the win. They also ran at the House of Mouse this weekend, but on Friday instead of Saturday. The guys won as a team in the “Robin Hood” division, with Rogelio Araiza taking the individual win ever so narrowly at the line. Teammate Justin Corinealdi took 4th, just over half a second off his PR that was set in his freshman year. Liberty will compete this weekend at West Orange as a tune-up to the OBC championships on October 22 at St. Cloud HS.
Osceola: The Kowboy’s took the trek to Brandon for the Don Bishop Invite. They ran into a buzzsaw of Hillsborough talent, but wound up 9th as a team for the boys. The girls faced a similar task and came out 7th. Almost everyone on the team put up a season’s best time this week, a postivie building block moving toward the postseason. Osceola will compete this weekend at West Orange prior to the OBC Championships.
Poinciana: They took part in the Clermont City Classic Saturday in addition to hosting their rescheduled meet. The teams averages need some work, but there are no seniors scoring for the team on the roster. We all have to start somewhere right?
St Cloud: Tallahassee is far… from everything... even North Florida… but that’s where the big meet took place this weekend. The ladies ran in the select race and most improved upon theis seasons best time, and those that didn’t were pretty close. They are scheduled to run again at the OBC championships (which they host) on October 22.
OBC preview: The conference championships take place Wednesday October 22nd at St Cloud High School. I apologize for spoiling the outcome, but it is unlikey anyone will supplant the Liberty boys (and Rogelio Araiza) or the St Cloud girls (and Grace Miller). The real drama will be who can muster up the courage to take second or keep the top teams from putting all five runners in the top seven spots for all-conference honors.
State series previews will be next week
Love it or leave it, Donald Lamb is a regular contibutor to Flrunners.com as a photographer, videographer & blogger. He is a devoted area coach, who is working hard to help the local running community.