Thank You Flrunners From The Class Of 2013 Olivia Ortiz May 29, 2013

Hi everyone!  As this year’s track season has come to an end and another exciting year comes to a close, the 2013 seniors are heading out of the high school arena.  Many XC/Track & Field seniors and I are graduating, and for some getting ready for the collegiate running world.  I have been reflecting on my four years of high school running and all those I am grateful for having an impact, flrunners is certainly one of them.

Holy Smokes! Bromell Burns Up The Track, US#2 10.14 At 3A Region 3 Olivia Ortiz Apr 26, 2013

Charlotte hosted the 3A Regional 3 meet on Thursday hosting some of the sunshine state’s fastest runners for their second state qualifying meet of the exciting track season. Possibly one of the most competitive regions, tension filled the air as only the top four places would qualify for the state meet next Friday at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Making it to Regionals is a tremendous accomplishment but many hope to earn the opportunity to perform on the state’s biggest stage, the state meet. A very special thank you to Robert Brown who was on-site and captured countless photos of this powerhouse Regional meet. 

Guerra's 38 Points Gives Naples 3A-12 Crown, Green Wave Capture Boys Trophy Olivia Ortiz Apr 19, 2013

Palmetto Ridge hosted the talent filled 3A District 12 meet on Thursday hosting ten powerhouse teams for their first state series qualifying meet of the season. Many state standouts competed and earned their spots advancing to compete in Regionals next week. The state series is always the most anticipated part of the season where countless hours of hard work shines. A special thank you to Robert Brown who was on-site and captured over 1,700 photos of this action-packed District meet. 

Wally Keller Invitational Recap Olivia Ortiz Apr 14, 2013

This past Friday, Charlotte High School hosted the Wally Keller Invitational bringing a dozen teams to the Tarpon track. It was a day full of speed as some of the fastest runners in the state got one last meet in before the state series meets begin.

In Her Own Words: Olivia Ortiz Olivia Ortiz Mar 20, 2013

Hi everyone.I would like to congratulate everyone on a tremendous track season so far! Everyone should be so proud of themselves to see their hard work, dedication, and commitment paying off. It’s truly inspiring to see how Florida is filled with a powerhouse of track and field stars. Since it is still pretty early in the season, only the best is yet to come! 

Guerra's Sprint Sweep Guides Naples To Lady Tarpon Team Title Olivia Ortiz Mar 08, 2013

A cold, Thursday meet didn’t hold the girls back from competing and running fast. Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda hosted the Lady Tarpon Invitational giving teams the opportunity to run against many of the fastest runners in the state. With many runners winning multiple races, the night was full of quick times and fierce competition. 

Verzbicas Makes Splash In Southwest Florida Olivia Ortiz Jan 20, 2013

Pro triathlete and 2016 Olympic hopeful Lukas Verzbicas graced southwest Florida with his presence this weekend. Verzbicas started his morning by winning he four mile New Balance Ringling Bridge Run road race in Sarasota and then hosted a meet and greet and discussion session in Englewood for runners of all ages.

Road To Recovery: Olivia Ortiz - August Update Olivia Ortiz Aug 21, 2012

Hi everyone! I just wanted to give the Florida running family a quick update on how I am doing. I hope everyone is enjoying the last few days of summer or has had a great start to their school year. Summer has flown by and now we all await to see the tremendous cross country season to get underway. 

Olivia Ortiz: The Road To Recovery Olivia Ortiz Jul 13, 2012

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share with the Florida running family an update on how I am doing. Thank you again flrunners for letting me share. Once again, I greatly appreciate everyone’s kind thoughts and prayers while I overcome this bump in my journey. 

In Her Own Words: Olivia Ortiz On The Foot Locker Experience Olivia Ortiz Dec 14, 2011

Sadly, the 2011 cross country season has come and gone and now another season in the past. To say the least, it was an action packed competitive season including too many nail biting races to name. As much anticipation awaits for the season to begin, once it gets started it seems that weeks filled with hours of practicing and competitive races fly by. Looking back, over the entire season it has been quite exciting for the sunshine state and I cannot wait to see what the track and field season has in store.

In Her Own Words: Olivia Ortiz Olivia Ortiz Nov 14, 2011

Hello! I hope everyone had a great Regional meet this past weekend! After all the many cross country weekends this season, taking place in all different locations around the state of Florida, I can finally write in my blog this week that the next race is the state meet taking place in Dade City.

In Her Own Words: Olivia Ortiz Olivia Ortiz Oct 31, 2011

This past Saturday I finally ran very close to home in the Manatee County Championship which included sven other local high schools. I was very excited to have a race finally in Lakewood Ranch; making it very convenient for family and friends to watch. Coming into the county meet, I had a feeling it might be a little different race compared to the other highly competitive races during this cross country season.

In Her Own Words: Olivia Ortiz Olivia Ortiz Oct 17, 2011

As I knew it would be, this past Saturday morning was intense facing the best competition in the state. Stepping off the bus, about an hour before race time there was a crisp chill in the air making it perfect racing weather similar to last year’s chilly conditions. The Pre State Invitational is a great opportunity to run the state course.

In Her Own Words: Olivia Ortiz Olivia Ortiz Oct 10, 2011

Wow! What an exciting past two weekends filled with cross country! Last weekend, I raced in the Flrunners.com Invitational in Titusville. Going into the race I was faced with a bad head cold, but I was determined not to let it bring me down. 

In Her Own Words: Olivia Ortiz Olivia Ortiz Sep 26, 2011

What a great cross country weekend! This weekend the Lakewood Ranch team and I ran in the Mountain Dew Invitational at the University of Florida. We all stayed in a hotel the night before since Gainesville is a three hour drive from Lakewood Ranch. That always makes for great fun and bonding time as a team. I was very excited and focused about this race throughout this week. As a team, we were excited about racing on the Gator campus again and then the opportunity to watch the college races, which is really inspiring before the start of our race.

In Her Own Words: Olivia Ortiz Olivia Ortiz Sep 19, 2011

My name is Olivia Ortiz and I am a junior at Lakewood Ranch. First, I want to say thank you to flrunners for letting me contribute to their incredible website! What a great opportunity and honor to be apart of. What an amazing start to the 2011 season with the first two races having intense competition, forcing everyone to get into race mode. Opening race last week was the Déjà vu Invitational in Tampa also know as the “mudfest”.