The first event of the Suncoast Orienteering 2022-23 season is done. The participants, some 160 of them, have come, done their orienteering, the JROTC have picked up their medals and Eagle Lake Park in Largo is as clean as ever, if not cleaner.
The results have been posted and this old coach could not help but send what I hope are useful hints to the team leaders.
There were some competitive highlights for sure. We had a couple of international orienteers, Nick and Sarah-Jane Barrable, two British orienteers who now live, work and orienteer in Sweden. They are on a brief holiday in Florida and took advantage of the chance to experience our orienteering while also doing some trail runs and a half-marathon. And, oh yes, four-year-old daughter Lara said something about wanting to visit Disney castles.
On the JROTC side of the competition usual strong teams Central and Charlotte were again predominant with Admiral Farragut showing they are building on their strong start last year. South Sumter showed signs of a come-back coming as they won the Yellow Team prize.
With Eagle Lake in the books we have eight more events to come. Check the Suncoast Orienteering schedule and sign up where you want to go. Signing up in advance saves at least 33% off the ‘day of’ rate as well as earning additional ‘frequent orienteer’ discounts.
Gord Hunter
Suncoast Orienteering
