Bauer overcomes fall, makes state

Sebring's Connor Bauer overcame an early fall in the 5k race to finish third with a time of 16 minutes, 32 seconds in Friday's Class 3A-Region 3 cross country meet.

Only the top 15 runners out of 150 advanced to next Saturday's Class 3A state meet in Dade City, and Bauer's ability to keep his focus and overcome the early-race adversity to qualify for the state finals is a testament to his conditioning and mental toughness.

"It was a rough race and it was hard on me," said a relieved Bauer. "I got caught in the pack at the start of the race and then I got kicked in the back of my legs by someone at the half-mile point and that caused me to fall.

"There were only 15 runners behind me when I got up and I was thinking that if I don't start passing a lot of runners my high school career is over."

But Bauer persevered, picked up his pace and finished with the same time he ran to finish second in last week's district meet.

"I was able to get in a groove and definitely did some fighting the last mile," Bauer said. "I started my kick a little too soon, but I'm real happy and relieved to have finished as well as I did.

"That was the most unusual race I've ever run and I was pretty worried, but I made it to state and I'm looking forward to running in Dade City because I love that course."

Charlotte's Tyler Cardillo finished first in a time of 16:24, while second was a 16:30, and Bauer's unusual race had Sebring cross country coach Jeff Shoemaker worried.

"I saw Connor at the mile mark and he gave me this gnarly look," said the Blue Streaks coach. "I didn't know he had fallen, but for him to get up and finish third is remarkable.

"Connor is a tenacious competitor and for him to battle back against that kind of competition is very impressive and I couldn't be happier for him."

Bauer will now look to improve on a personal-best time of 15:59 and his eighth-place finish in last year's Class 2A state finals.

"Moving up to 3A this year has helped me run against tougher competition," said Bauer. "My calves are a little sore from the meet, but I didn't get hurt from my fall and I'm going to go all out in the finals.

"The Dade City course fits my style of running and I want to run break 15:50 because I'm motivated to show that I can run with the best in the state."