By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

St. Cloud’s boys and girls track teams were runners-up at the Kowboy Invitational Saturday, setting three school records in the process.

Orlando Evans (97) won the girls championship over St. Cloud (75).

Olympia (91) outscored the Bulldogs (73) for the boys crown.

Osceola (47.5) was sixth in the girls meet followed by county teams Harmony (7th, 38), Gateway (11th, 26) and Poinciana (19th, 6).

Harmony (8th, 36) was next behind St. Cloud in the boys meet, followed by Osceola (14th, 16), Poinciana (15th, 15) and Gateway (17th, 11).

The Lady Bulldogs won the 4 x 800 (9:48.65, school record) with Ashlyn Stadtlander, Katelyn Stadtlander, Anaya Reid and Octavia Gonzalez.

Reid set another school record by winning the 400 (59.85).

St. Cloud’s Kirsten Chambers set a third school record by winning the triple jump (36-0). Chambers was second in the high jump (5-0) and 100 hurdles (15.61).

Gonzalez was third (2:28.58) was third in the 800.

“They all worked together to accomplish second place. I was proud of them,” Lady Bulldog Coach Ettie Singleton said.

The St. Cloud boys may have won the meet, Coach Kevin Harkema said, but for the late arrival of the sprinters, who were taking college placement tests.

“We did well. We have talent at almost all the events,” Harkema said.

St. Cloud’s Cole Harvey (6-4) claimed the high jump title.

The Bulldogs E.J. Mckenzie threw 46-5, the best in Central Florida this season, to win the shot put over Kathleen’s Adam Schertzer (49-2).

“E.J. has been a pleasant surprise in the shot put and high jump,” Harkema said.

Matt Cole (10:09.67) won the 3,200 meters and teammate Bailey Morgan was sixth (10:28.89).

Morgan was runner-up (4:30.87) in the 1600 and Cole (4:37.34) finished fourth.

“Bailey ran awesome in the 1600, and Matt Cole in the 3,200,” Harkema said. “I was also excited about the girls distance runners because they all ran personal bests.”

The Bulldogs 4 x 100 relay (42.61) was second with Jordan Reus, Austyn Jandrew, Eric Pfeifer and Travon Williams.

“That sprint core is solid, including Travon in the 300 hurdles and Austyn in the 400,” Harkema said.

Gateway’s Charnelle Michel (100-9) won the girls discus title.  Tricia Davis (27.04) was fifth in the 200 for the Lady Panthers.

Osceola (4:12.65) won the 4 x 400 with Jodiann Crooks, Chelsea Thomas, Charlie Muzeka and Vallerie Norgaisse.

Osceola’s 4 x 100 girls relay (50.18) was second to Lake Wales (49.47) with Crooks, Norgaisse, Deara Thomas and Janel Brown.

Norgaissee finished second (46.07) in the 300 hurdles and third (16-8) in the long jump.

Harmony’s Kendall Pollock (93-5.5) was third.

Harmony’s Daniel Foshee, won the 300 hurdles (40.13). St. Cloud’s Williams was third (41.14).

Poinciana’s Ron Decomo (21-5.75) won the long jump. Osceola’s Daequan Harrison (21-5.25) was second; sixth (41-0) in the triple jump.

Gateway’s 4 x 400 relay (3:35.72) was sixth with Julian John Lewis, Byron Vaughan, Aaron Roman and Zach Smith.

Celebration’s Quincy O’Connor, recently signed to Fordham University, is showing state meet form.

“Quincy is right where we’d like him to be,” Coach Joel Fox said.

O’Connor has run the 1,600 in 4:24 and the 3,200 in 9:43.

Fox said others on the team are performing well.

Sprinter Josh Roe is running mid-11s in the 100 meters; Elliot Thorpe has added 4 feet to his triple jump (40-9) and pole vaulters Jeremy Bona (9-6) and Zach Nelson (10-0) have set personal records.

“We’ve had some nice surprises this year and not too many disappointments,” Fox said. “If we can get all of our guys committed, which isn’t happening at the moment, we’ll be better than what we expected.”