Wiregrass Ranch Sweeps Meet

The Wiregrass Ranch boys and girls cross country teams won their first home meet on Monday.

The girls beat Land O' Lakes, 27-58, and the boys beat Land O' Lakes, 39-53.

Wiregrass Ranch boys coach Chris Loth was happy since the Gator boys rarely lose a team meet in Pasco County and they are generally considered the top team.

"It's a good win,'' said Loth. "It's good for our program."

The girls coach said Land O' Lakes coach Kris Keppel told him he was going to hold back his runners in their first race.

"I'm certainly happy with the team victory, I don't put a lot of weight in it,'' said Wiregrass Ranch coach Don Howard. "Zak Lukas (meet at Hernando High) is going to be a race Saturday morning. I was very pleased with the girls. I think the top five were all in the top 10. It's hot on a Monday. I'm happy with where they are at."

Land O' Lakes senior Felix Soto won the boys race with a time of 16:59. Wiregrass Ranch sophomore Ryan Pulsifer led much of the race and finished second with a time of 17:26.

Soto said he was told to run with his teammates the first 2 miles.

"I was just looking for a good workout,'' said Soto. "Kris told us to hold back. I've got to help the team for the first two miles. It's not always about me. It's not always about winning. The coach said it's about getting the team together. I felt comfortable (during his race)."

Pulsifer didn't feel bad about losing to Soto.

"He had an amazing kick,'' Pulsifer said. "He is an amazing runner. I don't feel bad losing to him. Second is fine to me."

There were no surprises in the girls race. Wiregrass Ranch sophomore Ariel Grey won as expected with a time of 20:56. Wesley Chapel's Jessica Furst was second with a 21:41.

"It feels pretty humid, but I think I did a pretty good race today,'' said Grey, who stumbled and fell shortly after crossing the finish line. "I think it's the rises and falls of this place. I have been practicing here so much I should be used to it. I do wish I had LeeAnn out here because she is somebody who is able to push me. I don't feel the pain as much. I feel like I am a better runner this year.

"My time was respectable but I wanted to run 20:20 today. I like courses with a longer loop."

Furst is getting used to the heat of Florida. She came to Wesley Chapel last year from Idaho.

"I'm feeling good,'' Furst said. "I trained half the summer."

Girls team scores

Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch 27, Land O' Lakes 58, Brooksville Central 68, Dade City Pasco 115, Wesley Chapel 157, Zephyrhills 171, Land O' Lakes Sunlake 213

Girls Top 5 Individuals

1. Ariel Grey, Wiregrass Ranch, 20:56; 2.Jessica Furst, Wesley Chapel, 21:41; 3. Megan Ibison, Wiregrass Ranch 21:51; 4. Mikayla Bogulski, Brooksville Central 21:56; 5. Kelsey Sturman, Wiregrass Ranch, 22:23.

Boys team scores

Wiregrass Ranch 39, Land O' Lakes 53, Brooksville Central 87, Dade City Pasco 98, Sunlake 100, Zephyrhills 257, Wesley Chapel 257.

Boys Top 5 Individuals

1. Felix Soto, Land O' Lakes 16:59; 2. Ryan Pulsifer, Wiregrass Ranch 17:26; 3. Matt Schwartz, Land O' Lakes 17:33; 4. Kenny Fessel, Sunlake 17:33; 5. Jake Morken, Land O' Lakes 17:45.