Chain of Lakes Park in TItusville played host to yet another meet as it welcomed runners for the 2A Region 4 Championship. Pine Crest 7th grader Tsion Yared took home individual honors and led the Panthers to the team title for the third consecutive year. On the boy's side, Ransom's Gabi Correa picked up the regional crown that he fell short to achieve in 2013, while the Pine Crest boys completed the team sweep winning their first ever regional title.
On-Site Coverage
Girls Recap By Coach Bautista of Gulliver Prep
Individual Race
Pine Crest 7th grader Tsion Yared, coming off a win the prior weekend at the FLYRA Middle School State XC Championships was the heavy favorite coming in. Yared, had won on this course earlier in the year taking home the flrunners.com Race of Champions trophy and leading the Panthers to victory. Tsion took the race out with her sixth grader sixter Madhere Yared and their mentor Julia Montgomery, the two time state champion by their side. Added into the mix this season were the Ransom Everglades duo of Lauren Archer and Beatrice Ruan, both who have running well after competing at a tough district course. Another South Florida standout, Alyssa Pujals from Gulliver was also in that lead pack. The chase pack was about 15 meters behind Tsion at the mile and were together until the half mile mark.Ruan then made a move to break the pack up Pujals followed with Archer not far behind And teammates Montgomery and Mahdere running together. With a mile left Ruan made up the gap on Tsion and took the lead with about 1k to go Tsion was visibly in pain (from a cramp) coming by crying and still somehow found it within her to win with a 18:19.60. Afterwards, she got a reward for racing well. What else? A Chipotle meal that is almost as big as the youngster!
Ruaz was second in 18:22.00 with Pujals third in 18:35.30. Archer, Madhere Yared with a huge personal best, and Montgomery rounded out the top six. The top five all broke 19 minutes. Watch out for these girls at the state meet as they all should crack the top ten.