Plant girls, boys, still in the hunt for state titles

Panthers' performances at Pre-State Invitational cross country meet not perfect, but encouraging

Plant senior Sam Powers turned in a 5-kilometer lifetime best of 16 minutes, 22 seconds to finish 65th at Saturdy's Pre-State Invitational cross country meet at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. Staff photo by BILL WARD/The Tampa Tribune.

DADE CITY --

This time last year, Plant's girls cross country team finished fifth in the Elite division of the Pre-State Invitational and was second among Class 4A schools. But four weeks later, the Panthers won the Class 4A state title by beating the squad that finished ahead of them.

At Saturday's Pre-State meet at Little Everglades Ranch, Plant took fourth and, once again, was the second-best 4A school. Does Panthers coach Roy Harrison believe these results can also spell a state crown in next month's finals?