FHSAA 4A Region 2
University of Florida commit, Parker Valby, and NC State commit, Alyssa Hendrix, dropped the hammer in their regional duel. Valby edged Hendrix out for the individual title, running a state-leading time of 17:07 over Hendrix's 17:13 -- two strong PR's for the seniors.
Mary Ellen Eudaly finished third and dipped under the 18 minute barrier, running a new PR of 17:52.56 to lead her HB Plant team. Caroline Lehman followed Eudaly with a 18:05 performance, and Keleigh Scallon finished fifth to lead the Newsome ladies to a regional title over Plant.
Sarasota, George Jenkins, Lakewood Ranch, George Steinbrenner, Riverview, and Wharton join Newsome and Plant at the very competitive 4A state meet next week.
On the boys side, UNF commit, Jake Turner, had a solo effort to win the individual title in a time of 15:38 with Lennard junior, Seth Martinez, continuing his breakout season with a second place 15:58 finish.
Josh King finished third in a time of 15:59 to lead the Steinbrenner boys to a regional title, continuing their hunt for a state championship win next week. Sarasota, Newsome, Plant, North Port, Celebration, Wharton, and Sarasota Riverview all qualified their top seven athletes to the state meet.
FHSAA 3A Region 2
Winter Springs sophomore, Caroline Wells, had herself a day this weekend. She won her first individual regional cross country title with a time of 17:58 -- a PR coming off an 18:02 weekend at FSU a few weeks back. Wells led her team to a regional victory for the Bears, two points over Robinson.
Liina Winborn cruised the line in 18:14 to finish second and help her team qualify for the state meet with Alanie Rivera and Brooke Mullins of Harmony following in third and fourth.
Harmony, Sunlake, Lake Minneola, Brandon, Rockledge, and Merritt Island joins Winter Springs and Robinson as the team qualifiers to come out of the region.
On the boys side, Anderson Denton took the regional title win over Ethan Geiger in a time of 15:31. Geiger followed shortly with a 15:43 and Mac Updike had a breakout race, finishing third in 15:54.
Geiger's performance led the Robinson boys to a regional team title with Tampa Jesuit and Sunlake having a one point differential. Lake Wales, Winter Springs, Auburndale, Rockledge, and Lake Minneola all qualify their seven athletes to next weeks competition.