The Wiregrass Ranch boys cross country team came in eighth in the Pre-State Invitational elite race, better than any other area squad, at Little Everglades Steeplechase Ranch in Dade City on Oct. 15.
The Bulls finished with an average time of 16:29.98. Sam Hippely led the way for Wiregrass Ranch, posting a time of 16:05.65 to take 37th overall. Teammate Ermias Bireda claimed 52nd place in 16:15.52.
Steinbrenner came in 17th as a team at the meet with an average time of 16:41.08. The Warriors were led by Matt Magee’s 16:07.93 and Tyler Lima’s 16:08.25, putting them in 39th and 40th place, respectively.
In the boys invitational race, Land O’ Lakes’ Travis Nichols ran a personal record 16:04.21 to claim the individual title. Teammate Tyler Stahl took 14th place in 16:54.85. The Gator boys finished 17th out of 27 schools at the event with an average time of 18:02.97.
Freedom won the girls invitational team title with an average time of 20:52.99. The Patriots were led by Ashley Smith’s 13th-place finish in 20:18.97. Teammates Lauren Arfaras and Annie Tedesco took 26th and 29th, respectively.
Steinbrenner’s Lauren Garris took third in the girls invitational, running a 19:30.49. The Warriors finished 14th out of 28 schools.
–Kyle LoJacono
