As a runner you couldn’t ask for much better weather. Low humidity, not to bright out, and in the upper 70s. The 3A D-12 meet would on virtual meet played out about the way it did in real life, but it’s the one on ones and toeing the line the day of, that make running the race far more important.
Girls Race
The couse begins mile 1 with a huge hill and finishes mile 2 with that same hill then flattens out. The girls race was lead by Petrik from the get go. Taking the tough hilly course out in 5:55 with a serious chase group of teammate Edwards, Leon (South), Barlow (Gulf Coast) just 2 seconds behind. She couldn’t shake Leon of South by much at mile 2 only adding 1 more second to her lead 12:15 to 12:18 with Barlow and Edwards fighting it out a bit back for the 3rd place spot which would become pivotal in the Team Title. In the end Petrik ran away from Arceli increasing her lead to 15 seconds winning 19:23 to 19:38. Barlow would take Edwards for 3rd, but Edwards holding on to the 4th place position allowed FMHS to win the District Title by 2 points over Gulf Coast. FMHS had 1st,4th,10th,15th,and 16th while Gulf Coast went 3rd,6th,12th,13th,and 14th. For these girls next week will be the test of the season as they meet (unless something crazy happens) Lakewood Ranch and Estero in the Region 3 Meet at the Charlotte County Sports Complex.
Boys Race
Boys Race
The boys race was similar to the girls. Carlos Miranda was the clear favorite as he has either won or finished 3rd every meet this year, losing only to Clemente and Arroyo. Carlos took it out in 4:56 but the pack wasn’t just gonna let him run away from them, at least not without a fight. Buddy (Herbie) Gates, Pelletier, Brown, and Shearman were only 5 seconds back just over 5 min. Carlos would take his lead and double it, but it wasn’t over who was expected all season his teammate Pelletier has been right in tow along with his best friend Gates of Naples, but it was a charging Ace Brown of Ft. Myers that was passing both of them at the 2 mile and looking to have a go at Carlos. Brown would close the gap to 6 seconds but Carlos took the Title. Brown can’t be too unhappy though as FMHS boys followed the girls lead and won the Boys Team Title by 36 points over Naples HS 34 to 70. Next week will be fun as we should see a county re-match for Ft. Myers and Estero at the Regional Meet, Good Luck to you all that advanced.