Senior Northup Strong In Final Bear Run

Caroline Northup knew she wouldn't have another chance to run a competitive meet on the course she has called home during her prep career.

The Central High senior made the most of her final opportunity at the Bears' Den Thursday, finishing third in the Bear Run with a time of 22:35.

"I feel pretty good," Northup said. "This was my best time ever on our course. I've run it a couple times the past three years. This may be my last time running it and being my senior year I went all out. Plus it was overcast. It was a good day to run.

"...It's my last time representing our team at our home course. I really wanted to do my best, leave nothing, have no regrets."

The Lady Bears finished second with a 33 team score, behind first-place Gulf (24).

Behind Northup, Mikayla Bogulski came in sixth in 23:09. Bryanna Eady finished seventh (23:21), Devon Rennie eighth (24:11), Kady McCandless ninth (24:16) and Melia Orrell 10th (24:33).

"We could have done a little bit better but this course is tough and the girls know it," Central Head Coach Erin Courtney said.

"...We're not focusing on this too much. We're focusing on the Hernando/Citrus Classic (next Thursday). We want to do pretty darn well there."

BEAR RUN

Team results

1. Gulf (GUL) 24, 2. Central (CEN) 33, 3. Zephyrhills (ZEP) NTS.

Individual results

1. Natalie Smith (GUL) 21:50, 2. Brittanie Bennett (GUL) 21:55, 3. Caroline Northup (CEN) 22:35, 4. Kara Stosur (GUL) 22:42, 5. Colleen McAuliffe 22:49.

2. Central (33): 3. Caroline Northup 22:35, 6. Mikayla Bogulski 23:09. 7. Bryanna Eady 23:21, 8. Devon Rennie 24:11, 9. Kady McCandless 24:16, 10. Melia Orrell 24:33, 14. Bryanna Warren 26:25.