Lainee Mercer left no doubts in rewriting the record books this season. She came within a second and a half of her PR at the State Cross Country Meet this weekend. Finishing an incredible 3rd place out of 235 athletes in the 3A competition. Mercer who had battled injury for two weeks prior to districts came back to great running form and cemented herself as the best runner in school history for cross country.

Very few girls have made the state championship in our history let alone placed in the top 5. Central Florida showed strength as local runners from Tavares, Zephyrhills, and Springstead all finished in the top 5. It is a very young group too with only the winner from Fort Myers graduating this year. With another season in the future under her belt and a season fully healthy a state championship will definitely be in the realm of possibilities in the future.

The lady eagles had a great year and graduate no one next season. Improved leadership and a year of running together could find the lady eagles at the state meet next year together. Lainee and her teammates will now look to the track season as we look forward to the successes they can achieve their as they did in cross country.