By Kyle LoJacono
The Zephyrhills girls track and field team continued to make itself known in the sprinting events at the Class 3A regional meet April 28.
Bulldogs freshman Kara Young qualified for the state meet by taking fourth in the 100-meter race in 12.52. She won the 100 district championship in 12.75 the week before.
“Kara has really carried this team this season,” said Zephyrhills girls coach Jason Rouser. “She has shown throughout the year that she is one of the best young athletes in the area. Now she gets to show what she can do at states.”
Young then teamed with fellow freshman Aaliyah McKenzie and seniors Jamieshia Parker and Alexandria Viera to finish as the runner-up in the 4×100 relay in 49.25, a new school record.
Skarlet Lawhorne won the regional adapted shot put girls championship with a toss of 11-01. During the season she said her goal is to win the second straight state title for Zephyrhills in the event, after Heather Haynie won the gold last year.
“Skarlet has come out to every meet and worked hard in practice all year,” Rouser said. “A lot of times there isn’t another girl to compete against in meets, but she hasn’t slacked off all year. She’s been a big part of our team.”
The Zephyrhills boys sent several athletes to regionals, but none of them were able to qualify for states.
The Bulldogs girls finished in 16th place as a team with 16 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.
