Citrus boys win Lecanto Early Bird Invitational

LECANTO — Tim Wenger can truly enjoy the track season in his final year of competing in high school sports.

The Citrus High senior’s future is looking very good right now.

Wenger knows that he will be signing a letter of intent for a track and field and cross country scholarship to the University of West Florida in Pensacola and he wore a big smile during the Lecanto Early Bird Track and Field Invitational on Tuesday.

“I’m hoping to make it to state this season in track,” he said. “I am enjoying my last track season. We have 50 on our team and we have some good individuals. Winning was huge for us.”

He won the 3200 meters (10:06) and placed second in the 1600 meters (4:38). He ran in the 3200 meters relay and his team was third (8:50).

Wenger contributed to his Citrus boys team winning the team title. The Citrus boys had 138.5 points. Crystal River was second with 116. Lecanto was seventh with 46.7. Seven Rivers Christian came in 10th with eight points.

There were 21 teams and over 700 athletes competing in the meet.

Citrus High freshman Alyssa Weber was the Chronicle’s Cross Country Female Athlete of the Year but she has yet to prove herself in track.

“I’m nervous,” she said. “I’m always nervous. I hope to do well.”

She took third in the 3200 meters (12:47.5) and fifth in the 1600 meters (5:40).

One girl who proved she could win was Crystal River’s Martina Tafoya. She won both the high hurdles (16.69) and the 300 meter hurdles (48.89).

Wiregrass Ranch won the girls team title. Crystal River was third with 89 points. Lecanto was fifth with 82.5 points. Citrus finished seventh with 28 points and Seven Rivers Christian came in ninth with 12 points.

Crystal River’s Delaney Caleau won the 800 meters (2:30). In second was Lecanto High’s Chloe Benoist (2:33). Citrus’s Kylie Fagan took fourth (2:35).

The Crystal River girls won the 1600 meter relay (4:18.63). The Pirate girls were second in the 3200 Meter Relay (10:35).

Seven Rivers Christian’s Tiana Miele took second in the shot put (32-9).

Lecanto’s Alexis Strickland was second in the discus (90-22). Citrus’s Samantha Kanawall was third (88-10).

Lecanto senior Anna Heinzman won the pole vault (10-0). She was also fourth in the triple jump (31-3 3/4).

Haley Clark of Crystal River was second in the pole vault (8-9) and teammate Angela Byrne was third (8-6). Clark also took second in the 200 meters (28.13).

The Lecanto girls took third in the 400 meter relay (55.02).

Lecanto’s Andreanna VanQuelef was third in the 400 meters (63.73).

Lecanto’s Taylor Christian was third in the 100 meters (13.76).

Citrus’ Derek Nelson took home two gold medals. He won the boys high hurdles (16.37) and the 300 meter hurdles (41.55). Crystal River’s John McAteer was third (17.21) in the high hurdles and second in the 300 (41.55). Canes Michael Kilpatrick was fourth (18.03) in the high hurdles and fourth in the 300 meters (44.24).

The Citrus boys were third in the 3200 meter relay (8:52.8).

Citrus’s James Pouncey was first in the long jump (20-11) and second in the 100 meters (12.08). Dylan Wilson, his teammate, took third (12.19) in the 100 meters.

Crystal River’s Jesus Bennedetti was second in the long jump (19-9 1/2).

Crystal River’s Manuel Henriquez won the shot put (42-8). Lecanto’s Josh Riemer was third (39-8 1/2).

Lecanto’s Anthony Savino won the discus (138-1). Henriquez was second (128-0). Citrus’ Jesse Vinyard was fourth (119-7).

Crystal River’s Corey Pollan won the 800 meters (2:02). Pirate teammate Buck Moser was fourth (2:08).

Crystal River’s Napoleon Hutcherson was second in the 400 meters (53.9). Citrus’ Brandon Roberts was third (54.47). Seven Rivers’ Luke Ebert was fourth (55.23).

The Pirates 1600 meter relay team won (3:35) and Citrus was third (3:44.46).

Citrus’s Jeloni Sammy won the high jump (6-4). Pollan was third (5-10) and Bennedetti was fourth (5-10).

Crystal River’s Robert Speakman was second in the triple jump (41-9) and McAteer was third (40-4).

McAteer was third in the pole vault (11-6) and Citrus’s Justin Dunham was fourth (11-0).