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Lambert, Federico, J. Wright finish 1-2-3

Staff photo by BOB EAST III

Nature Coast runners Matthew Lambert, front, and Bruce Federico, right, pass Ryan Pulsifer from Wiregrass Ranch High.

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By MARTY MILLER

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: November 6, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - For Nature Coast Technical wrestler Matt Lambert, the upcoming season may end up starting a little late for him.
The reason is that Thursday afternoon in the Class 3A, District 3 race held at McKethan Lake Park in Brooksville, Lambert outran the best runners in the area to win the 5K race in a time of 16:19.99.
Along with Lambert taking first place, the Sharks finished second in the team standings and are moving on to next week's Class 3A, Region II race at Brevard Community College in Titusville.
Following Lambert in the race Thursday were teammate Bruce Federico, who finished second, one-half of a second behind Lambert, and Hernando senior Joe Wright, who was 19 seconds behind the winner.
With NCT having three runners in the top 11, it finished with 66 points, seven points behind winner Wiregrass Ranch. Hernando also advanced to regionals as team, coming in fourth place with 115 points.
Lambert, who wrestles and runs track and cross country for the Sharks, was with an early pack before breaking clear at the two-mile mark to win the race.
"Last year I think I came in something like 80th," the Shark senior said after the race. "I guess I won today because of all the hard work I did over the summer. Now I just want to win next week at the regionals."
Lambert also said that after taking the lead after the one-mile mark, his teammate Federico was on his shoulder forcing him to go all out.
"Having Bruce right there helped me a lot," Lambert said. "He was forcing me to go hard and that's probably why we came in first and second."
Hernando runner Joe Wright, who last week won the Hernando/Citrus Classic over the same course, said Thursday he tried the same tactic he used to win that race in the district race Thursday.
"I started out about 30th, just like I did last week, but I think I let them get a little too far ahead of me," Wright said. "But I'm still going to the regional and that's what I wanted to do today. My goal is still to win the state title."
Besides Lambert and Federico, the Sharks had junior David O'Quinn finish in 11th place while freshman Tyler Moore was 23rd. The Sharks were hurt early in the race when an injury occurred to Shark runner Tyler Harrison.
"Our number three runner (Harrison) stumbled and fell early in the race and had to drop out," said NCT coach Armen Merjanian. "Now we did have a freshman (Moore), step up and help. But who knows what would have happened if Harrison runs his race?"
"I am a little disappointed we didn't win today, but I'm happy that Matt (Lambert) and Bruce (Federico) came in first and second."

Final 2A-3 Boys Cross Country Results:
1. Matt Lambert (NCT) 16:19.99; 2. Bruce Federico (NCT) 16:20.23; 3. Joe Wright (HER) 16:38.56; 4. Tory Webb, (LEC) 16:40.22; 5. Ryan Pulsifer, (WR) 16:40.65; 6. Kenneth Fessel, (SUN) 16:53.24; 7. Anthony Plourde, (PAS) 16:55. 62; 8. Derick Hannigan, (CR) 16:56. 51; 9. John Davis, (WR) 17:01.71; 10. Josh Reilly, WR 17:08.61; 11. David O'Quinn, (NCT) 17:09.53; 12. Timothy Wenger, (CIT) 17:10.41; 13. Jesse Balogh, (HER) 17:15.96; 14. Geremy DeWitt, (CR) 17:16.37; 15. Guillermo Ishdida, (SUN) 17:18.23.

NATURE COAST TECHNICAL (66) – 1. Matt Lambert, 16:19.99; 2. Bruce Federico, 16:20.23; 11. David O'Quinn, 17:09.53; 23. Tyler Moore, 17:40.99; 30. Britton Cox, 17:46.56; 39. Jacob Harlow, 18:17.67.

HERNANDO (115) – 3. Joe Wright, 16:38.56; 13. Jesse Balogh, 17:15.96; 20. Jeff Vrosh, 17:30.84; 33. David Worthington, 18:05.58; 48. Jeremy Wright, 18:41.48; 58. Kevin Herbert, 19.17.73.

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