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Schwartz, Bulls girls, boys win

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By LARRY BUGG

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 15, 2009

DADE CITY - Land O' Lakes High's Matt Schwartz and the Wiregrass Ranch girls and boys took titles at the Class 3A-Region 2 cross country meet Saturday at Withlacoochee River Park.

Schwartz, who won the 3A-District 3 crown last week, finished in 16 minutes, 28 seconds. The senior collapsed from exhaustion at the end of the finish line chute. Alex Foss of Lakeland Jenkins was second (16:34).

Wiregrass Ranch runners Ryan Pulsifer (16:40) and Delonzo Sharp (16:42) helped the Bulls to the title, finishing third and fourth, respectively. Armwood's Benjamin Hilton was fifth in 16:53.

Belleview's Anne-Marie Blaney won the girls race in 19:05.

Sickles' Sarah Hartman (19:28) was second, Mitchell's Kelli Williams (19:48) fourth and Wiregrass Ranch's Nikita Shah (19:55) fifth.

Hartman was one of those hit by swine flu but the freshman didn't let illness stop her.

"I took maybe a week and a half off," Hartman said. "Then I came back. I felt great. I think I have my stride better. I surprised myself. I actually liked it (this course). The Belleview girl broke away at a mile and a half. I'm hoping to get below 19:20 at state."

"I'm very pleased with how well she (Hartman) ran," Sickles coach Dave Rittenour said. "She was sick with the swine flu during the middle of the season. She was out right after Flrunners but she has worked really hard."

The Wiregrass Ranch girls had 81 points to win. Eagle Lake Lake Region (121) was second, Land O' Lakes (136) third, King (145) fourth and Mitchell (166) sixth.

The top 15 individuals and top six teams advance to the state meet Saturday at Little Everglades Ranch.

The Wiregrass Ranch boys won with 70 points. Lakeland Jenkins (80) was second, Land O' Lakes (116) third, Ridgewood (145) fourth and Sunlake (152) fifth.

CLASS 2A-REGION 2: Pasco High's Anthony Plourde was the only area runner to qualify for the Class 2A state meet. Plourde was fifth with a time of 16:31 at the meet.

The Pasco High boys and girls teams did not qualify, nor did the Wesley Chapel and Anclote boys teams.

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