(WEEKI WACHEE)- The Hernando-Citrus Classic meet took place last week at Weeki Wachee High School, with many of Hernando County’s top track and field athletes displaying their talents just before district meets start up.
Hernando County clubs included the likes of Central, Hernando, Nature Coast, Springstead and host Weeki Wachee. Teams from Citrus County included Citrus, Crystal River, Lecanto and Seven Rivers Christian. One of the team winners of the event was expected, but the other was somewhat of a surprise.
Nature Coast’s (164 points) girls track team continued its dominance by picking up its sixth consecutive county championship, while Springstead’s boys club was able to edge out the Sharks. The Eagles, with 160 points, unseated the Sharks (122 points) and host Weeki Wachee (85.5 points) finished in fourth on the boys end.
Springstead on the girls end had a solid showing behind Nature Coast, with the Eagles getting strong performances from freshman Tallia Russell (shot put, discus), sophomore Charlize Soares in the triple jump and senior Jacy Scharlow in the high jump. The Eagles finished in second place with 109 points behind the Sharks.
Despite the Eagles not having the largest roster, with many being freshmen, Springstead was able to put on a solid team performance amongst the Hernando, Citrus field of teams.
The first-place Sharks were the team to beat heading into the county meet and Nature Coast proved once again why they’ve won six county titles in a row, as the club took control of running events. Senior distance runner Emily Escamilla finished in second-place in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs. The standout of the day for the Sharks was sophomore Madison Fields, who took first in the 200 meter and placed second in the 100, 400 meter dashes.
On the boys end of results, Springstead’s team win was the first count championship since the 2001-2002 school year. The Eagles turned in a great day on the track led by senior Kyle Manuel’s two event wins in the discus and shot put. Also joining Manuel in the win column was juniors Noah Holmes (300 meter hurdles) and Jacorey Hartman (400 meter dash).
Though Nature Coast didn’t come away with a county championship for the first time in a decade, the Sharks were still able to put in a solid day on the track. Senior Ishamel Poole nabbed a victory in the 110 meter hurdles and junior Max Glavan captured first in the pole vault (10’6″).
The Sharks compete in Class 2A, District 7 and the district meet will take place next week on Tuesday at Fivay High School in Hudson, FL. Also taking part from Hernando will be Central, Hernando and Weeki Wachee, respectively.