CLERMONT, FL- On one of the hottest days of October, the South Lake Charter Invitational, held at Windy Hill Middle, was a 1.5 mile long course mostly uphill. This would be the second time nine schools ran this course this cross country season. Tavares boys dominated the race with 45 points, beating Gray by 6 points. Tavares girls came in third with 80 points and the Junior Varsity came in 1^st with 24 points.

Chelsea Spears, one of the top TMS runners, was injured the day before the meet. Even without her running, the Lady Patriots came in 3^rd place with 80 points, behind Windy Hill and East Ridge who had 57 and 58 respectively. Emily Imboden and Savannah Guenther came in 8^th and 9^th, while Brooke Boynton finished in 15^th.

“The heat was getting to everybody, but I know everyone still ran their best,” said TMS captain Emily Imboden after the run.

The Tavares Boys Varsity came in first with three boys in the Top 10, Brian Buckner (5^th), Cole Higginbotham (6^th), and Shunta Nafield (10^th). David Buckner (11^th) and Sasha Yates (13^th) finished the scoring for the guys. Taylor Chandler and Bayden Dora came in soon afterwards.  

“[The course] was easier this time, but the heat made it [hard],” said David Buckner.

The Tavares JV also won their meet. The Patriots had three runners in the top five, Bradley Moler (3^rd), Masaru Sakata (4^th), and Christian Sears (5^th).

“The race was very hard because of the hill,” said Sears.

Boys Results: Tavares (45), Gray (51), Windy Hill (68), East Ridge (98), Eustis (106), Clermont (138), Mount Dora (229), Carver (234), South Lake Charter (240)

Girls Results: Windy Hill (57), East Ridge (58), Tavares (80), Mount Dora (103), Gray (110), South Lake Charter (111), Clermont (NS), Eustis (NS), Carver (NS)