By Kyle LoJacono
The Land O’ Lakes girls track and field team will be well represented at the Class 3A state meet after several athletes’ performances at regionals April 28.
Freshman Hallie Grimes took third in the 400-meter race in 59.75, just 0.16 seconds behind first place. Grimes then teamed with Samantha Austin, Alyssa Lonsway and Nicole Woodard to take second and fourth in the 4×400 and 4×100 respectively. The quartet set the Gators record in the 4×400 the week before at districts.
Gators 15-year girls coach Harold Ridgeway said it is the first time in program history both the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams qualified for states the same year. It is also the first time Grimes, Austin and Lonsway will compete at states.
Woodard, a senior, also advanced to states in the long and high jumps for the second straight year and third overall. She came in fourth with a high jump of 5-02 and was the regional runner-up with a long jump of 18-04, a new personal best. She won the Sunshine Athletic Conference and district championships in both events this year.
“I’m feeling really confident in my jumps,” Woodard said. “I’m hoping to place in them both.”
The only year Woodard did not make states was as a sophomore, when she was recovering from a torn anterior curciate ligament (ACL).
Last year, Woodard was the only Land O’ Lakes athlete, boy or girl, to compete at states. She is relishing the chance to have more teammates join her as a senior.
“That really makes it special because we push each other to get better,” Woodard said. “We’re a little family.”
The Land O’ Lakes boys did not fair as well as the girls, failing to qualify any athlete for states.
The Gators came in seventh place in the girls team standings with 35 points. Bellview won the regional title with 72.66, followed by Kathleen’s 68 and Wiregrass Ranch’s 45.
The Bulls also took third in the boys team standings with 50 points. Orlando Edgewater was the champion with 67 points, followed by Winter Haven’s 62.
The top four finishers in every event qualify for the Class 3A state meet on Friday, May 6 at Winter Park.
–All results as recorded by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
