The cross country team brought excitement to the district championships at Spruce Creek High School on Friday, and carried that spirit to a first place finish for both groups.
The boys ended with a total score of 27 points and an average time of 17:13. They were led by senior Ricardo Hernandez who took second place individually with a time of 16:58, scoring two points for the team. Hernandez finished just 10 seconds after Oviedo rival and former teammate Noah Mott. Close behind were senior Marek Pezzoli in third with a time of 17:04 and junior Wesley Lizon in fourth place with a time of 17:05.
Going in with their minds set on beating Oviedo, the team did just that, winning by only three points. The top two teams dominated the 12-team event, as Hagerty and Oviedo took the top 15 individual spots, so the pressure was on and they ended with feelings of triumph.
“On Friday, the course [was] very difficult for all of us. We did win it, and I think even though the weather was harsh, everyone was able to push through,” senior Justin Ramsey said.
The girls side ended with a total score of 67 and had an average time of 21:24. They were led by senior Ava Howell, who placed sixth individually, with a time of 20:42 and senior Alaina David in seventh place with a time of 20:46. Close behind in tenth place was freshman Madison Thompson in tenth place, with a time of 21:01.
Similarly to in the boys race, Oviedo was close behind in second place, and the team pushed through to the win with enthusiasm. They came in first, ending with 13 points less than Oviedo.
“We’ve been training really hard all season and staying on top of workouts, and Getty’s plans are really strategic and well thought out. So I felt pretty solid,” sophomore Samantha Gartner said.
Coach Jay Getty has increased the intensity of the training regimen for his athletes as the championship season continues. Through speed work, long runs and ice baths, the athletes are preparing to be in the best shape possible for their last two meets.
“The ice baths were very helpful because of the soreness, so it relaxed our muscles a lot,” sophomore Tara Brewster said.
After placing first at districts, both teams secured their spot in the upcoming regional meet at Cecil Field in Jacksonville on Nov. 14. Similarly to districts, the top eight teams advance to state championships, along with the next four individuals who are not on a qualifying team.
“The district meet is sometimes a little bit of a trap meet, because you only got to finish in the top eight. So sometimes they don’t come in motivated,” Getty said. “We were ready to go, but we’ll be even more ready to go because they know the season’s on the line this week.”
