Orange Observer: High 5 — Thursday, Nov. 12

1. The Foundation Academy boys cross country team had a strong showing at the Class 1A, Region 2 meet — held at Holloway Park in Lakeland — as the Lions finished in fifth place Saturday, Nov. 7. The Lions were led by Mehari Van der Riet, who finished with a time of 16:51.28. 
 

2. The West Orange High girls swim team found some success in the pool as it finished in seventh place at the FHSAA Class 4A state swimming and diving championship Saturday, Nov. 7. The Warriors were led by Michelle Cottle, who took home seventh in the 50 free and 100 free, while also helping the 200 medley relay team — which included Maya Foley, Grace Khunduang and Gabryella Tong — to a seventh-place finish.
 

3. It was a big day for the boys cross country teams around the area as they dominated on the course during the Class 4A, Region 2 meet at Hagerty High School Saturday, Nov. 7. Olympia finished No. 1 thanks to a first-place finish by Kai Komatsu (16:23.63) and a sixth-place finish by Shu Komatsu (16:50.29). West Orange snagged third place as Jake Baldauf (seventh, 16:55.92) and Colton Berquist (eighth, 16:58.01) picked up Top 10 finishes. Dr. Phillips brought home a sixth-place finish with Ilyas Semlali (16:36.06) and Joel McConnell (16:48.60) finishing up in second and fifth place, respectively.
 

4. Despite West Orange High football’s 38-21 loss at the hands of a talented Jones team Friday, Nov. 6, junior wide receiver Jayden Gibson picked up a team-high 141 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just five receptions. 
 

5. The Windermere High football team won its first game of the season in a 32-23 victory over Colonial Friday, Nov. 6. In the win, senior Kordan Dozier went off as he rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, while throwing for 91 yards and two touchdowns.