Last season Andrea Mauger became the first Academy at the Lakes track and field athlete to qualify for regionals with her third-place shot put at districts.
The junior continued making program firsts by capturing the Class 1A-District 8 title with a throw of 32-feet 5-inches on April 12 at Calvary Christian, besting the competition by more than two feet.
Mauger’s season started late because she is a forward on the Wildcats girls basketball team that reached the 2A final four.
“This year I’m stronger, just not as well prepared,” Mauger said. “Basketball season really cut into track. I’ve only been to four meets.”
Muager’s title earned the academy girls their 10 points on the day, good enough for eighth place in the nine-team district. Carrollwood Day School (CDS) took 28 to finish sixth.
Patriots’ senior Bailey Drury qualified in two events, placing third in the 400- and fourth in the 200-meter in 1 minute 0.80 seconds and 27.89 seconds, respectively. She also finished fifth in the 100, one spot from a regional berth.
She will be joined at regionals by teammate Lauren Meaney, a freshman, who placed second in the 3,200 (12:56.27)
The CDS boys send one athlete to regionals, Elias Earley after his runner-up performance in the 400 (53.51).
“(Elias) has made a great contribution to this team in just his first year out for track,” said Patriots boys coach Sal Cuono.
Cuono’s team scored 15 points to finish seventh.
Advancing athletes compete at regionals on April 19 at Orlando First Academy at 1 p.m.
–Kyle LoJacono
‘Canes send eight to regionals
Bishop McLaughlin’s boys and girls track and field teams competed at the Class 1A-District 9 meet at Lakeland Tenoroc.
The Hurricanes didn’t win any individual titles, but four boys and four girls each finished in the top four of their events, earning a regionals spot.
Camille Baumrucker’s long jump of 14-feet 8.25 inches was good enough for second place. She also took third in the triple jump (30-05) and 100-meter hurdles (18.57 seconds).
Discus throwers Rachel Verscharen (87-05) and Hannah Nyberg (84) finished second and third, respectively. Taylor McDonald took second in the shot put (32-06).
Four Bishop boys were district runner-up. Evan Barhonovich had a discus throw of 137-05, Andrew Beebe ran the 400 in 54.07, Shane Mendoza had a shot put of 42 and Christopher Pirrello ran the 3,200 in 10:26.65.
The girls finished with 49 points to earn fifth place, 119 behind Lakeland McKeel Academy’s championship pace. The boys’ 39 points was also good enough for fifth, 151 behind first-place Lakeland Christian School.
The advancing athletes compete at regionals on April 19 at Shorecrest Prep at 11 a.m.
–All results as recorded by the Florida High School Athletic Association
