Wiregrass sweeps team titles at Mitchell meet, Steinbrenner tops among Hillsborough squads

Posted Sep 17, 2011 by Bill Ward

Updated Sep 17, 2011 at 02:20 PM

Wiregrass Ranch swept the boys and girls team titles at Saturday’s Mitchell Invitational.

Gulf’s Kari Grippo, ranked No. 9 in the Class 2A state individual rankings, served notice she intends to move up that poll by scorching the mostly-asphalt 5-kilometer course in 17 minutes, 24 seconds.  Northside Christian’s Katelyn Greenleaf, No. 7 in the 1A individual girls rankings, was second in 17:59. Wiregrass Ranch’s Nikita Shah was the next Pasco County runner in 18:21 and the top Hillsborough County finisher was Tampa Prep’s Claire Snyder, fifth in 18:25. Seffner Christian’s Sabrina Whiting was sixth in 16:02.

Wiregrass, No. 11 in the preseason Class 3A state poll, had all five of its girls scorers in the top 30 to score 79 points, 12 ahead of Seminole Osceola. Steinbrenner, led by Lauren Garris (seventh), was the top Hillsborough squad, earning fourth (133).

Wiregrass’ boys, ranked No. 15 in the 3A poll, put all of its scorers in the top 30 to win with 76, just eight ahead of unranked Steinbrenner, which last year was the state runner-up in 2A. Anclote’s Argishti Gazari was the individual winner in 15:33 and Robinson’s Brian Sharp was right on his heels for second in 15:35. Sickles junior Abdin Fator showed his strong performance at Deja Vu was no fluke by earning fourth (15:37).

Wiregrass’ No. 1 runner was eighth-place Ermias Birenda (16:00) while Steinbrenner was led by the 5-6 finish of Matt Magee (15:5) and Tyler Lima (15:53). The Warriors’ next runner was Zach Lima, about a half minute back in 19th place. That gap, and the ones between Zach Lima and Nos. 4 and 5 runners Blake West (16:41) and Tanner Biles (16:51) are what concern coach Bobby McConnell.

“I thought we could’ve run better,” McConnell said. “We left some points out there and those gaps are what we have to work on to close.”