Article by Donna Wong, XC Parent
Photos by Lauren Nasser, Kristin Pautienus, Donna Wong, XC Parents
It was another amazing showing for the Lake Minneola HAWKS at the FHSAA 3A District Meet at Whispering Pine Park in Inverness. The competition was tough but the HAWKS stayed strong!
Head Coach Corey Isom said, “I was extremely proud of everyone’s effort. They are getting stronger at the right time!”
Both teams are moving onto the Regional Meet at Tohopekaliga High School in Kissimmee on November 11. Qualifying teams from Regionals will move on to the state finals in Tallahassee on November 17.
The weather was perfect for running with temperatures in the low 70s at race time. The cooler weather helped as the HAWKS had 11 PRs (Personal Records) between both the boys’ and girls’ teams.
On the girls’ side, the team placed three runners in the top 10, and sophomore Ashlyn LeViner took the top overall spot on a course that challenged her last year.
“It was great to see sophomore Ashlyn LeViner go out and win Districts especially after she came and said she wanted that title,” Isom said after the race. “That is a great warrior mindset and I love it!”
seconds ahead of her closest competitor
For LeViner, it was redemption.
After the race, LeViner said, “Last year I broke my foot on this course. This year I was happy I could come back and win districts with a PR!”
LeViner’s PR of 18:53.02 also has her in 4th place all-time for the HAWKS. She is less than 40 seconds away from the HAWKS all-time record set in 2017 by Cadi Rowe (18:13.56). With two more years running XC for the HAWKS, the top spot is within reach.
In a tough field, every second counted. Freshman Alejandra Rodriguez (20:02.19) finished 5th and sophomore Raegan Krepcho (20:08.01) was 6th.
“Each corner was a twist and a turn. I always feel strong on this course,” said Krepcho after the race.
Senior Sophia Reed (21:27.72) was the 4th finisher for the HAWKS in 18th place. She added, “I feel like I did really well and competed well. It was a lot of competition but it was an awesome course.”
Sophomore Haley Samuel (21:55.93), junior Kristin Czymek (22:43.59), and seniors Kiera Davidson (22:56.58) and Ana Heskin (23:48.88 ) also had personal. records on this course, showing the depth of this HAWKS squad.
On the boys’ side, six PRs highlighted the HAWKS field at Districts. The boys finished in 7th overall and were just seven points behind the 6th place team. Every second and every place matters and so many of the boys stepped up their game.
5K race.
Once again, freshman Quentin Thompson (17:37.78) was the top HAWK finisher in 15th place overall with another PR! He was just over one second behind the 14th-place competitor and less than 25 seconds from a top-10 finish!
Freshman Dayton Nasser (18:06.25) was the 2nd HAWK to cross the finish line in 28th place overall. Less than four seconds separated Nasser from the five runners ahead of him. So close!! Nasser and the rest of the HAWKS are moving up and improving at the right time!!
Sophomore Grant Pautienus (18:29.84) finished in 35th place and senior Jackson Crossley (19:00.66) finished in 50th – the 3rd and 4th HAWKS to cross the finish line.
The surprise for the boys was freshman Mason Robertson (19:03.87) who was the 5th finisher for the HAWKS, in 53rd place overall. Robertson had a PR on this course and passed a few of his HAWKS teammates who are normally ahead.
Robertson said, “I guess I was holding back all season but I got what I wanted and worked hard for it.”
The
An exciting footrace took place between teammates as sophomore Reese Davidson (21:35.44) and junior Matthew McCullough (21:35.65) were so close at the finish. Davidson edged McCullough by 0.21 seconds!
The final HAWKS PR was from sophomore Nate Cooke (21:49.70) who took 45 seconds off his previous best time set at the HAWKS Last Chance Meet on October 14.
This was truly a team effort on both sides with so many HAWKS putting it all on the line.
Assistant Coach Paden Whetten was proud and excited for the HAWKS, a team he had been part of until his graduation this past year.
Whetten said, “The boys had a great race I am very proud of all of them. The girls did exactly as I expected of them and am equally proud. The girls have a bright future for this year for competing at states and our boys have a good chance as long as they continue to fight hard.”
Whetten added, “I am especially proud of Mason and his massive breakthrough, Dayton and his continued growth and Quentin for continuing to run excellently. For the girls, I am very proud of our district champion Ashlyn. She deserved her victory for all her hard work and dedication.”
LeViner said of her teammates, “I enjoyed seeing my team get PRs and work hard. Excited to go to Regionals with the girls and boys!”
Sophomore Ashlyn LeViner leads her teammates at the start of the District 5K girls’ race
Sophomore Ashlyn LeViner rounds the corner heading toward the finish line a full five seconds ahead of her closest competitor
Freshman Alejandra Rodriguez finishes strong in 5th place
Sophomore Raegan Krepcho has been improving all season and is ready for Regionals!
Sophomore Haley Samuel sets a new PR en route to a 21st-place finish!
Senior Ana Heskin sets a new PR for her 5K!
Sophomore Grant Pautienus and Freshman Dayton Nasser compete at the start of their 5K race.
Freshman Quentin Thompson finishes strong as the top runner for Lake Minneola. Thompson had another PR at Districts
Freshman Dayton Nasser in a footrace with a runner from Lecanto HS
Freshman Mason Robertson PRs at Districts
Junior Matthew McCullough and Sophomore Reese Davidson in a footrace at the finish!
The LMHS girls with their 2nd place trophy!
LMHS HAWKS are moving on to the Regional meet on November 11, at Tohopekaliga High School in Kissimmee.
