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Highlands Today

Bauer sizzles at state

Bill Ward, Highlands Today

Sebring senior Connor Bauer capped a remarkable high school career by finishing seventh with a time of 16:00.53 in Saturday's Class 3A state cross country meet at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 23, 2009

DADE CITY - Sebring senior Connor Bauer put an exclamation point on his outstanding high school cross country career by finishing seventh out of 186 runners in Saturday's Class 3A state meet at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.

Bauer, who completed the demanding 5K course in a time of 16:00.53, earned a medal for his performance and the Blue Streaks flash, who was competing in the state finals for the third consecutive year, bettered his eighth-place finish in last year's Class 2A state meet.

"I'm so proud of Connor and he really rose to the occasion and ran as good a race as possible," said Sebring veteran coach Jeff Shoemaker. "He got off clean, kept moving up along the way and it had to be the best race of his life.

"I've coached some excellent runners in my career, but Connor is a warrior and ranks at the top of the list."

Tallahassee Leon, which easily won the team championship with 59 points, was paced by senior Matt Mizereck's first-place finish with a time of 15:21.64, while Creekside's (St. Johns) Jimmy Clark placed second in 15:25.41 and Belen Jesuit's Elliot Clemente came in third in 15:28.67.

Bauer, who hopes to run cross country in college, proved with his steady performance that he can compete with some of the top runners in the state.

"I had a pretty smooth race, really," the Blue Streaks athlete said. "We had a couple of false starts and I had never seen that before, but I felt strong and confident the entire race. I've been looking for that extra gear at the end of the race the last couple of weeks and Saturday I found it and it was awesome.

"I'm definitely satisfied with my effort against some tough competition and the last part of the race was the happiest I've ever felt in that kind of pain."

Tallahassee Leon, which is a state cross country powerhouse, breezed to first with three runners finishing in the top five.

Belen Jesuit (Miami) is another perennial state power and the Wolverines placed second with 103, while Charlotte (Punta Gorda) came in third with 134.

Bauer took an official visit to Florida Gulf Coast University on Sunday and the Blue Streaks speedster is hopeful he'll get an opportunity to run in college.

"I really enjoyed my four years of running cross country in high school," Bauer said. "I sacrificed a lot, worked hard and did the best I could.

"I'm looking at several different places and to get a chance to run cross country in college is something that I've always wanted to do."

Seeing Bauer excel against the best runners in the state gave Shoemaker an extra degree of satisfaction.

"I've been doing this a long time and coaching Connor was a pleasure," said the Blue Streaks coach. "He always gave his best and to see him finish seventh out of all those talented runners is very gratifying.

"He finished ahead of the guys he lost to at district and regionals and he's one of those special athletes that rises to the occasion and he's only going to get better with the training and coaching he's going to receive in college."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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