Countryside boys, Lakewood girls claim meet titles

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, March 29, 2008

Lakewood’s Gincy Marcelin leads her team to victory in the sprint medley. The Spartan girls held on for the overall title.
	[SCOTT KEELER | Times]

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PINELLAS PARK — Wanted: Competition for Countryside's boys at relay meets.

Once again, the Cougars steamrolled the opposition, winning their third straight Richard Allen Invitational by scoring 59 points, 16 more than Lakewood.

Countryside, though, was vulnerable Friday. The Cougars were without Rashard Young (sprained shoulder) entering the meet and lost Ryan Messmore, who strained his hamstring after running the anchor leg in the 4x100 relay.

"We had to make some adjustments," coach Eileen Givens said. "Fortunately, our distance runners came through."

The Cougars' 4x800 relay team of Zach Christianson, Matt Worner, Kosta Fotopoulos and Jake Hermann set a record with a time of 8 minutes, 22.13 seconds. Worner, Hermann and Christianson teamed with Nick Ribble to set a record in distance medley relay in 1:19.21. Countryside's other first-place finish came in the shot put relay.

"We'll take this week to recover from some injuries," Givens said. "We should be at full strength for the conference meet in two weeks."

Largo's Jason Wine, Leonard Johnson, Brynn Harvey and Mike Lang set records in the 4x100 relay (42.71 seconds) and 4x200 (1:30.09).

For the girls, Lakewood edged Countryside 67-64. The Spartans won the 4x400 (4:17.17), 4x800 (1:00), 1,000-meter sprint relay (2:26.12) and distance medley (4:18.21).

That was enough to hold off the Cougars, who won the shuttle hurdle.

Gibbs won the long jump (a combined 46 feet, 1 inch), shot put (95-5), discus (244.11) and 4x100 (51.86) relays.