No blemishes for Panthers

Lecanto's girls finish the season undefeated, winning the Citrus Quad meet; Citrus edges the Panthers for the boys title.

By LARRY BUGG
Published April 13, 2005

INVERNESS - The Lecanto girls finished the regular season undefeated, winning the Citrus Quad meet Tuesday at the Citrus Bowl.

Lecanto (9-0) won with 106 points, while Citrus was second (65.6) and Central fourth (26). The Citrus boys won the team title with 75 points. Lecanto was second (68) and Central fourth (28).

Lecanto used athletes in unfamiliar events and still won.

The Panthers were missing an injured Taylor Cooke, usually their top 2-miler. But Tara Haddock, who runs cross country, had no problem with the 3,200, facing little pressure in winning (13:36.2). The Panthers junior also competed in the high jump.

"I ran this once last year," Haddock said. "I won't run the 3,200 at districts (April21 at Central). I run cross country so I am sort of used to the distance. I surprised myself on this race. It was nice to win."

Haddock also anchored the winning 4x800-meter relay team. Haddock, Amy Rundio, Kelly King and Jillian Swarz won in 10:39.25. Rundio was second in the 3,200 (14:02.63).

Central's Jeff McNair took two first places, winning the shot put (43-4) and discus (146-8). Citrus distance runner Kaela Fitzpatrick came back from a leg injury to win her first race of the season. She took the 1,600 meters in 6:01.61.

Citrus' Nick Farrington won the 1,600 meters in 4:42.14. The Hurricanes were missing senior distance runner Joe Silvestro, who recently was injured in a car accident. He broke his jaw and is out for the season.

[Last modified April 13, 2005, 01:30:19]