News Summary

The East Ridge High School girls’ cross country team showcased outstanding performance at the Whispering Pines Invitational, winning in a thrilling tiebreaker. Senior runners Rhyen Foley and Veronica Peterson led the team, both achieving personal bests and earning top placements in a competitive field. The junior varsity team also excelled, with sophomore Helen Robertson claiming the championship title. The Knights are set to continue their strong season as they prepare for the upcoming SSG Hammond Invitational.

East Ridge High School Girls’ Cross Country Team Triumphs in a Nail-Biting Tiebreaker at the Whispering Pines Invitational

Inverness, Florida – On a gray and overcast morning on August 30, 2025, the air was filled with excitement as the East Ridge High School girls’ cross country team took to the course at the Whispering Pines Invitational. This year marked the seventh time the Knights laced up their racing shoes for this eagerly anticipated event, hoping to make a comeback after last year’s runner-up finish.

Participating alongside fourteen other teams from Central Florida, the Knights were determined to clinch the championship title that had eluded them just a year earlier. As the clock ticked toward 8:00 AM, the sound of the starting gun ignited a wave of energy among the runners. With temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, conditions seemed just right for a memorable race.

A Stellar Performance from East Ridge’s Runners

Senior Rhyen Foley quickly established her presence by crossing the finish line first for East Ridge, finishing eighth overall out of an impressive 113 competitors. Foley’s time of 19:44 not only marked a personal season-best but also stood as the third fastest recorded by a Knight at Whispering Pines. Following closely behind her was fellow senior Veronica Peterson, who also delivered a commendable performance, finishing eleventh with a new personal best of 20:10.

Rounding out the top finishers for East Ridge was senior Adriana Mustin, who placed thirteenth with a time of 20:36, showing incredible improvement from last year’s performance. Mustin’s effort now ranks her ninth for the Knights at the Invitational. The team’s strong showing continued with junior Taylor Walker, who came in fourteenth with a personal best of 20:38—a near one-minute improvement from last season. Freshman Hortance Sallault secured her spot as the last scorer for the team at fifteenth, clocking in at 20:41 and earning her first-ever placement medal.

Junior Jessie Volz also made significant contributions to the team’s triumph by achieving a new personal best of 20:45, which played a pivotal role in clinching the tiebreaker against Vanguard High School. Junior Lexi Whitehead finished 24th overall with a career-best time of 21:35, completing a remarkable performance from the East Ridge squad by placing five runners in the top fifteen.

A Victory Against Rivals

The team not only secured the victory at the invitational in a heart-stopping tiebreaker but also managed to best local rivals such as Tavares High School and Class 4A contenders Sunlake and West Port High Schools. In the individual competition, Mary Summers from Seven Rivers Christian celebrated winning the championship title with a time of 18:22.

Success for Junior Varsity

Meanwhile, the East Ridge girls junior varsity team had their fair share of achievements, with sophomore Helen Robertson shining brightly to claim the individual championship with a time of 22:23. Freshman Jamie Volz showcased her promise too, finishing sixth in the junior varsity race with a personal best of 24:51. The junior varsity squad thrived as they bagged the championship, with four runners medaling in the top ten—a fantastic display of teamwork and determination!

What’s Next for the Knights?

With spirits high from this exhilarating victory, the Knights are ready to hit the ground running again at their upcoming meet, the Third Annual SSG Hammond Invitational scheduled for September 13, 2025, at their home turf, East Ridge High School. The varsity girls race will kick off at 8:00 AM, and excitement is already building as they prepare to defend their title!

The season is shaping up to be one for the books for East Ridge High School, and fans are eager to see what these talented young athletes will achieve next.

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