Who Stays? Who Goes?

Three of four Hernando County cross country teams are likely to survive today's expected 16-team Class 3A, District 3 championship meets set to begin at 4 p.m. at McKethan Lake off U.S. 41 in Brooksville.

Sixteen schools comprise 3A-3 including: Brooksville-Central, Spring Hill-Springstead, Belleview, Ocala-Forest, Ocala-Lake Weir, Ocala-Vanguard, Tampa-Freedom, Tampa-Wharton, New Port Richey-Gulf, NPR-Ridgewood, NPR-River Ridge, Land O' Lakes, Hudson, Wesley Chapel, Groveland-South Lake and Leesburg.

Only the top 15 individuals and top eight teams will advance to Saturday, Nov. 15's Class 3A, Region II Meet at Winter Haven's Polk Community College beginning at 8 a.m.

Bears: seeking top-three finish

Central High's fifth-year Head Coach Eric Milholland hasn't reinvented the wheel on the Brooksville campus, but his thinclads have slowly generated momentum putting together a fine season.

The Navy and Silver-clad Bears have finished in the top seven in eight meets this season highlighted by back-to-back wins the past two weeks at the Bear Run and Citrus/Hernando Distance Classic.

The Bears have not yet returned to their elite state status attained in the mid-90s under Vic Cervizzi, but have gradually gotten the program back toward respectability.

To that end, the Bears face a rugged obstacle today at McKethan Lake.

The Bears' district is loaded down with heavyweights Land O' Lakes, Wharton and South Lake.

Last year, Wharton captured 3A-3 followed by Vanguard, Land O' Lakes and Central.

So what are the Bears shooting for in their first postseason test today?

"The ultimate goal is to reach states," commented Coach Milholland. "This week, we're capable of a top-three finish; that's what for shooting for."

How have the preparations gone?

"We're getting there," insisted Milholland. "We're concentrating on our No. 4 and No. 5 runners. They're learning what it takes to compete (at this level). Guys like Josh and Mike (Shannon) are learning some of the tricks to drop time.

"Right now, I'd say our guys are hungry (to compete)," added Milholland. "We're trying to taper the workouts to peak at states."

How much does the home course at McKethan Lake mean to the Bears?

"It means a lot," replied Milholland. "Last week, our No. 4 and No. 5 guys thought they each had a little gas left in the tank at the end. Knowing the course and when to accelerate and make moves will help. McKethan helps us physically and mentally across the board."

Three of the county's top six runners are Bears including: senior Josh Shannon (16:48.28), junior Mason Mackenzie (16:49.66) and senior Mike Shannon (17:06.06).

SHS: long, long shots

Unlike the Bears, the Eagles have struggled all season to field enough runners. It's highly improbable they'll advance beyond today.

The No. 1 issue with SHS is a general lack of numbers which impacts the team's depth.

Last year in Head Coach Josh Criner's first season, due to the overall lack of numbers SHS suffered the ultimate indignity - not having enough runners to field a team for districts - settling for NTS (no team score).

Ditto in 2008.

The Eagles fielded five runners (the team minimum) four times in six races. Yet, only two runners (juniors Drew Fulcher and Mike Rosenweig) have competed in all six races to date.

Fulcher comes into districts with the 11th best time in the county at 17:53.01

Lady Bears, Eagles look ahead

Last year in the 3A-3 Meet at Shady Hills' Crews Lake Park, Central and Springstead finished 9th and 13th respectively in the 15-team field.

The defending champion is Wharton. Last year, Vanguard, South Lake, Gulf, Wesley Chapel, Forest, Land O' Lakes and Freedom all finished ahead of Hernando County's two best teams.

As a result, neither SHS nor CHS advanced past districts.

But a year later, there is optimism that both teams will advance to regionals.

Fourth-year Central High Head Coach Erin Courtney has witnessed her team place in the Top 10 in 7-of-8 meets this season.

The Bears appear to be hitting their stride by finishing second in the Bear Run two weeks ago and winning last week's Citrus/Hernando Distance Classic.

Sophomore Mikayla Bogulski has notched three Top 10 finishes highlighted by the county's third-best time this fall in 20:54.31.

Unlike Springstead's boys, CHS has plenty of depth with five other runners among the Top 10 list including: freshman Devon Rennie, sophomore Melia Orrell, junior Bryana Eady, and seniors Anna DeAngelis and Caroline Northrup.

Don't be surprised to see Springstead, under second-year Head Coach Joel Myers, advance too.

The Lady Eagles have also been a model of consistency under Myers. They've placed in the top nine in all six previous races, featuring five top-five finishes.

SHS is led by the county's sturdiest 1-2 punch in junior Jaclyn White and freshman Kailey Genrich. White has notched the county's finest 5K time in 20:44.91 while Genrich is six seconds behind at 20:50.56.

The key for Springstead's advancement will hinge on seniors Taylor Tuomey and Mirelys Pizarro, and sophomore Sasha Spalding.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT - Class 3A, District 3 Cross Country Championship Meets.

WHO - Sixteen schools comprise 3A-3 including: Brooksville-Central, Spring Hill-Springstead, Belleview, Ocala-Forest, Ocala-Lake Weir, Ocala-Vanguard, Tampa-Freedom, Tampa-Wharton, New Port Richey-Gulf, NPR-Ridgewood, NPR-River Ridge, Land O' Lakes, Hudson, Wesley Chapel, Groveland-South Lake and Leesburg.

WHERE - Brooksville's McKethan Park on U.S. 41.

WHEN - Girls' race is set for 4 p.m., boys' race is set for 4:30 p.m.

AT STAKE - Top 15 individuals and top eight teams will advance to Saturday, Nov. 15's Class 3A, Region II at Winter Haven's Polk Community College beginning at 8 a.m.