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Track: Wharton sweeps meet

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By BILL WARD

wward@tampatrib.com

Published: April 23, 2009

SEFFNER In what could be his final season as head track coach, Wharton's Wes Newton guided his girls and boys team to a successful defense of their team titles at Wednesday's Class 3A-District 10 meet at Armwood.

Newton is in the final year of Hillsborough County's "drop program" that allows teachers to work beyond retirement. But because the school district has told these teachers they will not be rehired due to budget strains, Newton, who says he wants to continue, may be forced to step down.

That was on the back of his mind Wednesday as his girls squad, which was also the county champion, overcame a standout performance by Tampa Bay Tech to edge the Titans 173-134.

Wharton made it seven straight district championships for the girls paced by event winners Amani Bryant (long jump, both hurdles and anchor on the 4x400-meter relay), Alyssa Franks (1,600, 3,200 and 4x800), Brooke Foley (800 and 4x800) and London Enos (pole vault).

TBT was led by individual winners LeRia Jenrette (discus and shot put), Tanesha Maxwell (100 and 200) and LaShae White (400).

Wharton's boys boasted winners Sean Obinwa (800) and John Grellner (1,600) but it was their victory in all three relays - 4x800, 4x100 and 4x400 - that made the difference in their 156-138 win over host Armwood. The Hawks boasted individual winners Khiry McQuay (200), Markais Neal (400) and Gilbert Vasquez (3,200).

Brandon's Desmond McGill won both hurdles and captured first in the triple jump. TBT's Leon Robinson won the 100 (11.03) and was second in the 200 (22.41).

Class 3A-7

BROOKSVILLE - The Wesley Chapel girls team won their ninth straight district title, outpointing Ridgewood 163-130.

Groveland South Lake's boys won the district title with 169 points. Wesley Chapel's boys were second with 135 points, while Land O' Lakes (109) was third.

Wesley Chapel's Shantel Houston took two firsts and a second for the Wildcats. She won the 100 high hurdles (16.63) and triple jump (34-6.5) and took second in the long jump (16-1).

The top four finishers in each class will advance to the Class 3A-Region 2 meet on April 30 in New Smyrna Beach.

Felix Soto did what he has done for most of the past four years. He won both the 1600 meters (4.25.77) and the 3200 meters (9:48).

Wesley Chapel's Kamran Joyer won two events. The senior won the discus district title with a 147-0 effort. He beat his previous record of 136-0.

Joyer also won the shot put with a 56-10.75.

Wesley Chapel's Mitchell Wozniak won both the 110 (16.05) and 300 hurdles (41.31).

Larry Bugg

Class 4A-5

NEW PORT RICHEY - Both the Countryside boys and the Countryside girls won the Class 4A-District 5 track meet at Mitchell High School.

The Countryside boys squad outpointed Largo, 177.75-151.75. Sickles finished third (110) and Alonso (65) took fourth.

The Countryside girls won by virtually the same margin, outpointing Mitchell 123-98. East Lake (92) placed third and Alonso (78) was fourth.

The Countryside boys won five events, highlighted by Dawrence Roberts, who won the 100-meter run and was part of the Cougars' 4x400 meter relay team.

Lee Diekemper

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