Here are the nominees for the boys cross country runner of the week. Voting lasts through Friday.

Jared Hammill, Sr., Wharton: Won the Class 4A, Region 3 title in 16:25.74, a time that ranks among the top 10 entering the state meet. 

Dalin Mitchell, Sr., Seffner Christian: Took first at the Class 1A, Region 3 meet in 16:25.60, which ranks fourth among boys runners in that classification going into the state meet. 

Alex Pena, So., Sunlake: Finished second at the Class 3A, Region 3 meet in 16:15.00, ranking fourth going into the state meet and just behind teammate Colby Robbins.

Wynne Thomas, Sr., Plant: Placed second at the Class 4A, Region 3 meet in 16:28.41, setting the pace for the Panthers to win the team title.  

[Total_Soft_Poll id=”74″]

Here are the nominees for the girls cross country runner of the week. Voting lasts through Friday.

Andrea Ballestero, Sr., Osceola: Took individuals at the Class 3A, Region 3 meet in 19:39.47 and led the Warriors to a team title. 

Eliana Black, 7th, Cambridge Christian: Finished first at the Class 1A, Region 3 meet in 18:25.84 and led the Lancers to a team title. 

Mary Ellen Eudaly, Jr., Plant: Her second-place finish at the Class 4A, Region 3 meet (19:06.14) helped the Panthers take the team title. 

Haley Thornton, So., Palm Harbor University: Took fourth at the Class 4A, Region 3 meet in 19:13.16, a time that ranks among the top 11 going into the state meet. 

[Total_Soft_Poll id=”73″]

The PTP pick

Keleigh Scallon, Sr., Newsome

The top 10 girls runners at the Class 4A, District 12 meet were all from Newsome and Plant.

How this lead pack unfolded would determine the team champion and runnerup.

Keleigh Scallon did her part. 

The Newsome veteran emerged from that group with the lead and never relinquished it, finishing first in a season-best 18 minutes, 30.50 seconds. 

It made the difference as the Wolves were able to squeak by powerhouse Plant to win the team title, 27-29. 

The fans’ pick

Hailey Howard, Jr., Calvary Christian

By the time Hailey Howard reached the homestretch at the Class 2A, District 10 meet, she was running by herself. 

First place had long been a foregone conclusion. With no one to push her, the only challenge left was to beat the clock. 

Howard had recorded her personal best (19 minutes, 16.30 seconds) a month earlier at the Land O’ Lakes Invite. She did not surpass that time, but she came close, finishing in 19:24.40, nearly 48 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. 

Better still, the individual title made a difference in the team standings. The Warriors were champions by slimmest of margins, edging Berkeley Prep 57-58. 

Fans took notice. Howard received more than 45 percent of the votes (10,210) to beat out Newsome’s Keleigh Scallon, who had more than 39 percent (8,927).