ST. PETERSBURG - Shorecrest coach Jeff Raab believed his team's chances of repeating as Class A, District 11 champion were remote at the start of the season.
Most of the runners who led the Chargers to their title last season graduated, and Raab had four seniors returning.
The young runners, though, filled in nicely for the departed veterans, giving Shorecrest the points it needed to beat Keswick Christian 152-115 on Friday.
Jenna Kesty was the big winner for the host Chargers, taking first in the pole vault and 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Lauren Friedburg won the long jump for Shorecrest. The Chargers showed balance, finishing in the top four in 12 of 17 events.
Northside's Carrie Bariteau matched Kesty in individual titles, winning the shot put, triple jump and 100 meters. She also was on the winning 4x100 relay and was third in the long jump.
Indian Rocks Christian's Melissa Kotchman, the Class A leader in the 1,600, won the event in 5 minutes, 12.95 seconds, two seconds faster than her season best.