Going the Distance

LAKEWOOD RANCH — When it comes to cross country, it’s all about staying on course.

One wrong turn can spell the difference between a championship or a personal record and a last-place finish. So what happens when you make not one wrong turn but two in a single race?

If you’re Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Olivia Ortiz, you heed the advice of your teammate, get back on track and power your way through to an individual championship. Such was the case Oct. 27 when Ortiz got lost twice on the 3.1-mile course during the Manatee County Championship Cross Country Meet at G.T. Bray.

Luckily for Ortiz, Kristin Zarrella was right behind her and was able to get her teammate back on track. And although the wrong turns may have kept Ortiz from setting another personal record, they did not hinder her from crossing the finish line first. Ortiz finished the race in 18:25, capturing the individual championship and helping propel the Lady Mustangs to another Manatee County Championship.

“It felt really good,” Ortiz said. “Last year was such a close finish with Kristin (Zarrella) and (me). So, I felt accomplished winning it this time and being the ultimate champion.”

Ortiz, who only began running last season, has been rewriting the Lakewood record books this season on her way to leading the Lady Mustangs to five invitational team championships.

After posting a 19:03 at the Hagerty Invitational to start off the season, Ortiz has continued to flourish. Since then, Ortiz has knocked 36 seconds off her time while posting two new Lakewood records.

“I expected Olivia to have a great season this year; and I knew with her talent and determination that she would win some invitationals as well as break existing school records,” Lakewood coach Mary Quinn said.

On Oct. 1, Ortiz recorded her first break out record-setting performance, posting an 18:27 at the Flrunners.com Race of Champions on her way to breaking Zarrella’s previous school record of 18:44.

Ortiz followed that performance two weeks later by breaking her own school record, finishing in 18:15 at the Pre-State Invitational.

“I didn’t feel like I was doing that (good) of a pace, but the competition really pushed me,” Ortiz said. “I love running with (the top runners) — they inspire me. I’m still learning when to pick up it up.

“I look up to Kristin too because she has so much experience,” she said. “Kristin is such a great runner, and as teammates we push each other. I wouldn’t be running the times that I’m running if my teammates weren’t so good.”

Today, Ortiz will look to lead Lakewood to another district title when the Lady Mustangs host the Class 3A-District 5 Cross Country Meet.

Looking to build on last season, Ortiz spent the summer training for the upcoming season. She attended a boot camp two to three times a week and also ran on her own and with her teammates. And when it was all said and done Ortiz has clocked 350 miles.

“Over the summer, I worked really hard,” Ortiz said. “The training I did over the summer really prepared me.”

Quinn agreed.

“Olivia is a much more experienced now at racing and pacing herself during an invitational meet,” Quinn said. “She has learned to get out quick, hold a strong pace and finish with a powerful kick. She is not afraid to be a front-runner and go after rival teams that might be ahead of her.”

Now Ortiz is hoping her and her teammates training will help propel the Lady Mustangs back to the state finals. Last year, Ortiz finished the season ranked eighth in the state while helping propel Lakewood to a second-place finish at the Class 3A State Cross Country Meet.

But even with two school records and an individual championship, Ortiz has her sights set on bigger accomplishments.

“I want to finish in the top 10 in the state and break my personal record again,” Ortiz said. “I’m going to train hard again and hopefully I can get into the 17s by the end of this year or by next year.”

And although they may sound like lofty goals, Quinn said she believes they are anything but unrealistic.
“Olivia is peaking at the right time and breaking 18 this year is a possibility,” Quinn said. “I expect Olivia to continue peaking up until the state finals. Olivia performs well under pressure, so having the tougher competition pulls the best out of her.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].