Ortiz wins regional title

Lakewood Ranch High junior Olivia Ortiz captured her first regional title, finishing in 17:49 at the Class 3A-Region 3 meet Nov. 11 at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.

Ortiz, who has only lost twice this season, helped power the Lady Mustangs to a second-place finish and a berth in next week’s Class 3A state meet at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. Lakewood scored 68 points to finish behind Estero (33).

Devin McDermott finished 11^th in 19:23 followed by Natalie Novak (13^th, 19:37), Katie Wray (24^th, 20:20), Ashley Platt (27^th, 20:27), Michelle Last (35^th, 20:39) and Emily Perez (51^st, 21:07). The Lady Mustangs were without Kristin Zarella, who has been sidelined the past two weeks with an abdominal strain.

Meanwhile, the Lakewood boys team finished seventh. Evan Dipsiner finished 26^th in 16:56 to lead the way for the Mustangs.