Ortiz wins individual state title

Lakewood Ranch High junior and team captain Olivia Ortiz captured the Class 3A individual state cross country championship while leading the Lady Mustangs to a third-place finish at the Class 3A state championship Nov. 19 at Little Everglades Steeplechase Ranch in Dade City.

Ortiz crossed the finish line in 17:39, finishing nearly 10 seconds ahead of Tallahassee Chiles’ Lily Williams. The title is Lakewood’s first individual state championship.

Lakewood scored 126 points to finish behind Estero (69) and Chiles (87). Devin McDermott finished 22^nd in 19:17 followed by Natalie Novak (29^th, 19:43), Kristin Zarrella (36^th, 19:52), Katie Wray (65^th, 20:32), Ashley Platt (106^th, 21:22) and Michelle Last (113^th, 21:28).