Kristin's District Report

Kristin Sweeney, November 10, 2011

The postseason officially commenced last Friday as Maclay hosted the Class 1A, District 3 competition on its home course. With only 3 schools represented, the Lady Marauders earned first place and will advance to the Regional level. Junior Stefanie Kurgatt, improving her time from the previous week, dominated the race in 18:15 and set a new course record. Her counterpart, Travis Covert, led the guys' race and finished in 17:02. With merely 25 points, Maclay's boys also brought home gold. North Florida Christian kept the Marauders on their toes, and they earned second. John Paul II was fourth.

The following morning, the other local runners flocked to Apalachee Regional Park for the Class 2A and 3A, District 2 races. Florida High's ladies will continue on to Regionals after claiming second. Savannah Osterbye was their high scorer in third with a time of 21:30. Joseph Garcia (2nd – 17:31) led his Seminole team to second as well. Battling to the very end, Godby and Rickards finished fourth and fifth with 96 and 100 points respectively.

Continuing their season long trend, the Lady Timberwolves won yet another race! Lily Williams (18:31), Carly Thomas (19:14), and Rachel Givens (19:17) swept the first three places, and Chiles will continue to make their mark in the upcoming weeks. Lincoln and Leon were tied at 88 points after their first 5 runners were accounted for, but Lincoln's sixth runner was slightly ahead of Leon's which placed the Trojans in third and the Lions in fourth. The 3A boys' race was also a team battle. Taylor Buzzard of Chiles led the pack in 16:00, but Leon had three guys, William Henderson (16:11), Benjamin McMahon (16:24), and Zachary Buchholz (16:27), close behind. Managing to pull it out in the end, the Timberwolves claimed gold with 38 points to the Lions' 44. Lincoln placed fourth. Domination by local teams should hopefully continue this week in Lake City as Tallahassee's competitors shine at the regional level.