Battling Bears Advance

Central High didn't necessarily leave Friday's Class 3A, District 3 Meet feeling great about its collective times.

But the Bears still achieved the ultimate goal at McKethan Lake Park, advancing to next Saturday's Region II Meet by finishing sixth overall with a 148 score. Top eight teams and top 15 individuals advanced.

"Times were a little slow today," Central Head Coach Eric Milholland said. "I think we could have run a little bit better. But we battled and that's what we need to do."

Tampa-Wharton won the meet with a 61, just ahead of Land O' Lakes (64). Springstead came in 13th (373).

Central was hurt when No. 5 runner Ed D'Angelo failed to finish the race due to illness. Junior Mason MacKenzie led the Bears with a 17:16 time, placing 15th.

"I went out way too fast. The first mile I was 5:06," MacKenzie said. "I did what I could. I tried to stay strong through the race.

"Hopefully (he'll run) under 17:00 (at regionals), depending on the course. I've never been there (Polk Community College). It'll be a new experience."

Twin brothers Joshua and Michael Shannon finished 17th (17:27) and 18th (17:28) respectively. Jawara Jarrett came in 39th (18:05), Brandon Malone 59th (18:51) and Brent Hatley 60th (18:52).

"We did what we could today," Milholland said. "Our fourth, fifth and sixth guys stepped up and beat people. We did well. We'll go on to the region and see what happens in the region."

Drew Fulcher paced Springstead in 41st (18:08). Craig Brice (19:39) and David Boylan (19:40) came in 74th and 75th. Mike Rosenweig ran a 20:17 (83rd) and Cody Goldstein a 24:49 (101st).

"I think they did all right," Springstead Head Coach Josh Criner said. "A couple PR'd, got their best times. It's a big improvement from last year. We didn't finish (last year), we didn't have enough guys.

"Next year will be a lot better. I'm looking forward to next year."

CLASS 3A, DISTRICT 3 MEET
at McKethan Lake Park

Team results (top six advanced to regionals)
1. Tampa-Wharton (WHA) 61, 2. Land O' Lakes (LOL) 64, 3. Ocala-Vanguard (VAN) 94, 4. Groveland-South Lake (SL) 125, 5. Ridgewood (RW) 142, 6. Central (CEN) 148, 7. Gulf (GUL) 154, 8. Ocala-Forest (FOR) 166, 9. Belleview (BEL) 257, 10. Leesburg (LEE) 274, 11. River Ridge (RR) 330, 12. Tampa-Freedom (FRE) 367, 13. Springstead (SPG) 373, 14. Lake Weir (LW) 386, 15. Wesley Chapel (WC) 409.

Individual results (top 15 advanced to regionals)
1. Felix Soto (LOL) 15:45, 2. Joshua Wolfe (SL) 15:54, 3. John Grellner (WHA) 16:15, 4. James Slack (VAN) 16:30, 5. Matthew Schwartz (LOL) 16:33, 6. Clinton Bell (BEL) 16:37, 7. Nicolas Swain (WHA) 16:43, 8. Tyler Camacho (RW) 16:46, 9. Lewis Williams (VAN) 16:48, 10. Jose Torres (FOR) 16:58, 11. Jacob Morken (LOL) 16:59, 12. Lane Miller (GUL) 17:00, 13. Mason Chilamonczyk (RW) 17:04, 14. Aaron Taylor (WHA) 17:08, 15. Mason MacKenzie (CEN) 17:16.

Hernando County results
6. Central (148): 15. Mason MacKenzie, 17:16; 17. Joshua Shannon, 17:27; 18. Michael Shannon, 17:28; 39. Jawara Jarrett, 18:05; 59. Brandon Malone, 18:51; 60. Brent Hatley, 18:52.

13. Springstead (373): 41. Drew Fulcher, 18:08; 74. Craig Brice, 19:39; 75. David Boylan, 19:40; 83. Mike Rosenweig, 20:17; 101. Cody Goldstein, 24:49.