Movin' on up

The silver lining in Wednesday's Class 2A, District 3 Cross Country Meets in Citrus County featured not one (as expected) advancer to next week's Region II Meet at Titusville, but two.
It was no surprise to see junior Jesse Balogh qualify within the Top 15 individuals, as he posted a fine 17:41.12 clocking around Crystal River High School, good for seventh place.
The unexpected shock arrived from sophomore Parker Steinkamp, who passed eight runners along the final mile to finish 12th overall in a personal-best 18:16.4 clocking.
"I wanted to stay humble and let my running do my talking," expressed the 16-year-old Steinkamp. "Coach told me at the split I was 20th, so I knew I had to pick up the pace."
What about advancing to regionals?
"My goal is to do my best all over again next week," smiled Steinkamp."
Balogh believed he battled throughout the race.
"I had to fight for position against a couple guys a few times," explained the 16-year-old Balogh. "I was excited to advance. It's been a hard year for me with no one else to push us. Next week, my personal goal is to break 17 minutes."
On the girls side, Hernando's highlight belonged to Brianna Boswell with a personal-best 23:50.2 time good for 24th place. Boswell finished nine spots away from advancing.
"I liked the course today," smiled the 15-year-old Boswell. "I liked the hills and the layout. I felt pretty confident. Right now I realize there's room for improvement. I've got to pick up my mile time and not slack off next year."
"I'm so proud of Brianna," commented HHS Head Coach Ken Dent. "She's done great. She saved her best for last."
What about the boys?
"Having two guys go is fantastic," said Dent. "I'm thrilled to see Parker go. He gave it everything he had. I'm just as proud of Jesse, he's led the way all year."
Host Crystal River won both the boys and girls races over Mount Dora and Pasco respectively.

2A-3 Girls Cross Country Results at Crystal River HS
Final Team Results - 1. Crystal River (CR) 35, 2. Dade City-Pasco (PAS) 72, 3. Eustis (EUS) 84, 4. Ocala-Trinity Catholic (OTC) 93, 5. Tavares (TAV) 93, 6. Wesley Chapel (WC) 110, 7. Keystone Heights (KH) 142, 8. Williston (WILL) 238, NTS (no team score) - Brooksville-Hernando (HER), Mount Dora (MD), Holiday-Anclote (ANCL), Alachua-Santa Fe (SF) , Interlachen (INT) and Umatilla (UMA).
Top 15 Individuals- 1. Morgan Schwall (CR) 20:52.4, 2. Megan Menton (OTC) 21:30.9, 3. Kristen Dunlop (CR) 21:41.3, 4. Nicole Brunetti (OTC) 21:45.7, 5. Kaitlyn Eble (PAS) 21:48.0, 6. Hannah Hollander (PAS) 21:52.2, 7. Katie Hohman (TAV) 22:04.6, 8. Kaitlin Deutsch (SF) 22:16.0, 9. Emily Gilman (CR) 22:20.8, 10. Emily Schaul (KH) 22:27.4, 11. Hannah Hogan (EUS) 22:28.4, 12. Maegan McMichen (CR) 22:34.6, 13. Elizabeth Bruty (CR) 22:36.5, 14. Harleigh Bliz (TAV) 22:47.8, 15. Michaela McCarthy (ANCL) 22;49.9
HERNANDO (NTS) - 24. Brianna Boswell 23:50.2, 45. Alexandria Boswell 25:52.7, 46. Jessica Jernigan 25:53.5, 48. Sarah Gillis 26:21.9.

2A-3 Boys Cross Country Results at Crystal River HS
Final Team Results - 1. Crystal River (CR) 50, 2. Mount Dora (MD) 62, 3. Dade City-Pasco (PAS) 77, 4. Holiday-Anclote (ANCL) 110, 5. Wesley Chapel (WC) 135, 6. Alachua-Santa Fe (SF) 160, 7. Ocala-Trinity Catholic (OTC) 178, 8. Eustis (EUS) 191, 9. Keystone Hgts. (KH) 213, 10. Tavares (TAV) 283, 11. Williston (WILL) 290, 12. Interlachen (INT) 323, NTS (no team score) - Brooksville-Hernando (HER).
Top 15 Individuals- 1. Anthony Plourde (PAS) 16:29.5, 2. Nathaniel Buchanan (KH) 16:35.4, 3. Brandon Kempton (CR) 16:48.7, 4. Derik Hannigan (CR) 17:03.1, 5. Geremy DeWitt (CR) 17:19.9, 6. MaxDeLaRosa (MD) 17:30.3, 7. Jesse Balogh (HER) 17:41.2, 8. Sam Shinkman (SF) 17:50.7, 9. Zach McLain (MD) 17:51.6, 10. Spencer Guerette (ANCL) 18:08.1, 11. Christopher Sorrick (ANCL) 18:12.9, 12. Parker Steinkamp (HER)18:16.4, 13. Ty Deweese (CR) 18:18.5, 14. Dillon Dunbar (PAS) 18:24.9, 15. Simone Yebba (PAS) 18:32.6.
HERNANDO (NTS) - 7. Jesse Balogh 17:41.2, 12. Parker Steinkamp (HER)18:16.4.