Runners – on your mark, get set, go! The Lakeland track team has been great in past years, and they truly continued their dominance in 2019 as well. The boys varsity track team caps off on another terrific season with an undefeated record.

Along with girls varsity track, the boys claimed the conference championship. Although they did not win counties or states, they were runner ups in the county and top three in the state sectional.

It wasn’t all clear skies for the Lancers, as they lost one of their best runners senior Hasson Klingen in the regular season, which hurt their chances at states and counties. However, Coach Damiano Conforti, also a history teacher at Lakeland, shared how the Lancers  pulled through to succeed and set records.

According to Coach Conforti, there were many stand out players. Seniors Taylor Boorse and Chris McCormack both took first team All-Conference and All-County, Boorse in javelin and McCormack in shot put.

Junior Campoverde broke the 1600m and 3200m records that stood for 35 years, winning those races in conferences, state sectionals, and taking fifth in the group championship.

Juniors Carlos Cuevas and Zach Voll were also out to set their own records. Cuevas tied the current school record in the 400m by running a 49.1 in the state sectional. He also took third in the 100m and 200m while there. Voll won the 800m in the conference, breaking the school record with a 1.58. Voll took home first team All-County.

Coach Conforti also credits many underclassmen for the team’s success. Sophomore Drew Berkenbush, who is 6’2”,  won the conference and took third in the state sectional for high jump. Sophomore TJ McCormack made first team All-Conference and All-County for discus, taking fourth in the state sectionals and advancing to groups. According to Coach Conforti, this was a huge accomplishment for McCormack, being he is only a sophomore.

Berkenbush told The Ledger, “This year was a great year for me individually, and [I also loved] contributing to the team. I can’t wait for two more years of track. The track team will continue to put up many successful seasons in the future.”

Lastly, Coach Conforti credits other stand-out track and fielders as junior Mason Murphy and freshmen Owen Gibson, Jake Catioto, and Carter Pagan.

Even though the team is going to miss its three graduating seniors, they are looking forward to next year as being a favorite to win the state and county championship.