Lakeland High School’s cross country team is preparing for the 3A regional championship meet.

With the regular season meets over, the Cavaliers will shift their attention to the postseason. During the regular season, the Cavs had a mix of results in different meets. However, coach Gregory Rountree is hopeful about what Lakeland can do at the 3A regional championship meet.

“I’m ecstatic about the way these guys progressed through the season,” Rountree said. “They started off in their 20s, and now we have a couple of guys running low 18s and a couple more running 19.”

Even though a shift in competition may or may not come into play at the regional meet, Rountree does not want to pay it any mind. His perspective is that “running is running,” no matter who it is against. He believes if Lakeland’s runners follow their techniques and most importantly stay mentally tough, then anything is possible.

Lakeland’s top five runners also ran track as well. Rountree likes to call cross country season the beginning of the Cavs’ championship season as they transition into indoor track after the season. Nick Horton has made significant improvement this season, as has Jeshawn Walker.

On the girls’ side, Lakeland has only four girls on the team. In the future, Rountree expects that number to grow. He likes how the Lady Cavs have competed as well.

The Cavs are trying to be among the top three teams to finish at the regional championship so they can secure a bid to the Class 3 state championship. Tabb High School is considered to be the best team in the 3A region, but Rountree thinks the Cavs match up well with them.

“We just want to go out there and compete,” Rountree said. “We want to go out there and try to earn a top three spot so we can advance. It is going to be good to see how we match up against these other teams.”

The 3A regional championship meet will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at Bells Mills Park.