Among county public schools, Countryside’s boys and Lakewood’s girls have dominated track and field, winning team titles in nearly every major meet this season. It’s also the usual suspects among county private schools, with Admiral Farragut Academy’s boys and Northside Christian’s girls having a stranglehold on team championships.
Now comes the real test with the postseason. District meets start this week for 3A and 4A. The smaller schools have moved on to regionals in A and 2A.
District meets
Admission: $5
At stake: The top four place winners in each event advance to regionals.
Class 4A, District 5
Where: Clearwater
When: Wednesday, 1 p.m.
Teams: Clearwater, Countryside, East Lake, Northeast, Palm Harbor University, Pinellas Park, Seminole, St. Petersburg
Outlook: The Cougars still are tops among the boys with a balanced lineup that can score points in every event. Zach Christianson leads a strong contingent of Countryside middle and distance runners. The battle for the girls team title could come down to Countryside and Seminole. The Cougars’ Thea Linkfield has a chance to sweep the 100 and 300 hurdles.
Class 3A, District 10
Where: Lakewood
When: Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Teams: Boca Ciega, Dixie Hollins, Dunedin, Gibbs, Lakewood, Largo, Osceola, Tarpon Springs
Outlook: The Spartans’ girls are loaded in the field events, sprints and relays. Kala Funderburk, who has rebounded from a hamstring injury last season, will be the top contender in the 200 and 400. The Warriors’ Alexis Irwin is the meet’s best distance runner among girls. After finishing second to Countryside at most major meets, Lakewood’s boys will get a chance to shine with the Cougars in another classification.
Region meets
Admission: $6
At stake: The top four place winners in each event advance to next week’s state meet in Winter Park.
Class 2A, Region 3
Where: Naples Golden Gate
When: Wednesday, noon
Local teams: Clearwater Central Catholic, St. Petersburg Catholic
Outlook: The Barons girls, thanks to their depth, won their first district title in at least 10 seasons. Those numbers will likely thin out this week, but SPC still can contend for a top-10 finish in the team standings. For the Marauders, it’s more about star power with Lindsay Cooper a strong contender in the 400 and Domenica Owens a standout in the distance events.
Class A, Region 3
Where: Community School of Naples
When: Thursday, 11:30 a.m.
Local teams: Admiral Farragut, Calvary Christian, Canterbury, Indian Rocks Christian, Keswick Christian, Northside Christian, Shorecrest
Outlook: The Mustang girls, despite graduating four of their top point scorers from last season, have stayed on top thanks to a few emerging stars. Katelyn Greenleaf is the dominant distance runner in the county, and Asia Olds has shined in the field events and sprints. The Blue Jackets lost their best athlete, Josh Burch, to a pulled hamstring but won their 11th straight district title last week. Two AFA athletes to watch are Rayshawn Jenkins in the hurdles and Donovan Erbe in the pole vault.
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