The Manatee boys team took a week off from racing during Saturday’s invitational at Disney’s Wide World of Sports to work on another facet of cross country — pack time.
The goal was to have the Hurricanes’ top four runners finish in the same minute.
They accomplished that during the Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic boys invitational when Chris Owens finished 11th in 18:13 and Matt Sanchez finished 22nd in 18:49. In between were Nick Algozzine, who was 12th in 18:14, and Chris Pate, who was 19th in 18:41. Add Tyler Russell’s 46th-place finish in 19:35 and the Hurricanes were able to finish second in the team standings with 102 points. Bratt Northview High won with 98 points.
Lakewood Ranch Girls
Freshman Kristin Zarrella placed first and set a course record Saturday morning to lead the Lakewood Ranch cross country team to the team title at the Manasota Track Club Invitational at McIntosh Middle School in Sarasota.
Zarrella completed the 5K course in 20:09 as the Mustangs finished with 16 team points.
Ranch freshman Olivia Ortiz finished second in 20:09. Devin McDermott was fourth in 21:00. Natalie Novak was fifth in 21:01, Ashley Pratt was seventh in 21:08 and Elisha Rappleyea was 32nd in 23:22.
Pre-State Meet
Saturday’s Little Everglades Pre-State Invitational at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City is just that, a chance to run the course used at the state meet.
The Manatee boys, Lakewood Ranch girls and Hannah Howell of Saint Stephen’s will mix it up with some of the top teams and runners in all classes.
Lakewood Ranch Boys
Mustangs boys coach Bryan Thomas calls this season his third year of rebuilding, noting his top-five consists of three sophomores.
The young Mustangs placed sixth Saturday at the Manasota Track Club Invitational at McIntosh Middle school in Sarasota.
Sophomore Evan Dipsiner was 25th overall in 19:23. He was followed by Chris Northrup, 36th in 19:45, Ben Comes, 39th in 19:53, Kevin Papac, 41st in 19:58.
Palmetto
Jessica McKinnis was 13th at the Manasota Track Club Invitational in 21:34.
Her coach, Liz Casteel, is not worried.
With no meet scheduled for this Saturday, Casteel has been pushing the Tigers hard in practice these past two weeks.
“They’re running on tired legs,” Casteel said.
Casteel has been pleased with the work of Hunter Rayl, who was 26th Saturday in 19:23, and Guillermo Galvan, 51st in 20:34.
Rayl hasn’t come close to his PR of 17:56.87, which he set last season. His best time this fall is a 19:21.
“All the courses we’ve been running have been slow,” Casteel said.
Braden River
Ivo Lima, who ran at Southeast last season, ran his first invitational this fall as a member of the Pirates and placed fifth at the Manasota Track Club Invitational in 17:46.
Southeast
Jake Mullary ran a 19:13 at the Manasota Track Club Invitational, good enough for 21st overall.
Saint Stephens
Hannah Howell was third overall and prevented the Lakewood Ranch girls from taking the top four spots at the Manasota Track Club Invitational when she finished third in 20:28.
In the boys race, Brian Gentry was 27th overall in 19:24.
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@