Heartland Cross Country Teams Vie For Spot In Regionals

SEBRING - Time to run.
The boys and girls cross country teams from the Heartland compete today and Friday in the Class 3A district meets.

Avon Park and Sebring run today in the District 5 meet at Lake Park in Tampa, while Lake Placid runs on Friday at the District 6 meet in Naples.
Only the top six teams advance to next Saturday's regional competition in Estero, and Avon Park's boys squad has the talent and desire to be one of those teams.

"We are peaking at the right time," Red Devil coach Justin Martin said. "Our goal has been out train and out pain our competition and the kids have been putting in the time to be at their best for the district meet.
"We had a meet last week against Walker Memorial Academy and some of the boys ran their best times of the season and I think we're ready."

Sebring had a tune-up meet last Saturday in Okeechobee and the majority of the Blue Streaks ran well.
Sophomore speedster Connor Bauer led the way with a season-best time of 16:52.

"The kids have been working hard and I think we're mentally and physically ready to compete," Sebring coach Jeff Shoemaker said. "We're in a very tough district, but if we run to our ability, I think we can qualify for regionals."

Lake Placid competes in the District 6 meet in Naples on Friday and girls coach Dennis Berard is optimistic about the Green Dragon chances.

"We are looking good," Berard said. "We've had a great season and junior Erica Resendiz and sophomore Kay Fort are peaking at the right time.
"We're in a tough district, but if we can qualify one or two of the girls for regional, it would be great."