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Cross country: Holy Names, Berkeley step up

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By BILL WARD

wward@tampatrib.com

Published: November 14, 2009

TAMPA - Estero ran away with both the girls and boys team titles at the Class 2A-Region 3 meet at Lake Park.

The Wildcats girls finished with 20 points, and the boys had 53.

Despite a recent flu bug running through the team, the Academy of the Holy Names girls (76) advanced to the state meet by finishing third. The Jaguars were led by Cristina Snyder (10th in 20:45) and Lindsey Hahn (11th, 20:47).

Perhaps the biggest local surprises in the 2A girls race were the individual qualifications of Middleton first-year runner Amber Brooks, who was seventh in a lifetime best of 20:32, and two runners from first-year schools, Lauren Garris of Steinbrenner (eighth, 20:40) and Strawberry Crest's Trixi Menge (12th, 20:48). Brooks is believed to be her school's first state qualifier in girls cross country.

Berkeley Prep's girls were led by Gigi Price and finished sixth, also reaching the state meet.

In 2A boys, Berkeley Prep was the top local squad, taking second place with 100. The Buccaneers were led by fourth-place Tyler Greathouse and 12th-place Michael Rosenbach.

Individually, the best local 2A performance was turned in by Robinson senior Bryan Garcia, who was second to winner Erick Montoya of Estero. Montoya led almost from the outset to win in 15:46, but Garcia worked his way up the pack to turn in a lifetime best of 16:01. His strong finish helped the Knights advance as a team in fifth place (111).

"I think this shows I'm here and have a shot at (a top-10 finish at the state finals)," Garcia said. "But the talent at state runs deep, and I'll have to run this well again or better."

One point ahead of Robinson in fourth place was Jesuit. The Tigers returned to the state finals, led by the 10th-place finish of junior Blake Lopez (16:41).

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