In most cases Westminster Academy cross-country coach Paul Baur would have serious reservations about having his hair spray-painted blue.

Yet given that his girls' team won its first regional title Saturday with blue hair as a show of solidarity, there is a great likelihood Baur's ''blue do'' will make a reappearance at the FHSAA State Finals.

''The blue hair is team spirit,'' said sophomore Emily Carlson, who finished 10th and led a closely group of runners. ``We usually do it every year at districts or regionals. Hey, we even painted coach Baur's hair blue.''

In capturing the FHSAA Region 4-1A title at the Westminster Academy sports complex, the Lions finished 10th, 15th, 17th and 20th and showcased young runners. Following Carlson, was eighth-grader Nicole Feustel, sixth-grader Caitlyn Hamilton and seventh-grader Jessica Madhukar.

''Earlier this week I told the girls they could do something that was never done,'' Baur said. ``It is right there for you to do. Our 2-3-4 are all middle-school runners; two are brand new to the team. We had five girls run personal best times for our course. The girls really pushed it today.''

The top 15 finishers and top six teams advanced to the FHSAA State Finals on Nov. 22 at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.

Perseverance paid off in a big way for Sheridan Hills Christian's Steve Zein. Still tired from playing on both sides of the ball in the Sharks' 25-21 football win over Palmer Trinity on Friday night, Zein grabbed the 15th and final qualifying spot. Zein, who failed to qualify last season, has juggled cross-country practice, football games and basketball practice, and he plans to maintain that same hectic schedule next Friday when the Sharks play Upperroom Christian in the Class 1B regional semifinals.

''That is going to be crazy,'' Zein said. ``I will finish my football game by 10, have my bags packed and probably get to Dade City at 2 or 3 in the morning. Then I will wake up at 7 and get ready to run. As a senior, that is the best experience you can have.''

In the girls' race, Westminster Christian freshman Nicole Carpio proved to be in a class of her own once again, cruising to a fourth consecutive regional title in 20:04. Carpio opened up a 500-meter gap by the 1.5-mile mark to finish 1:27 ahead of runner-up Mollie Felder, a Florida Christian sophomore (21:31).

The upstart South Florida HEAT will take its girls' team to states for the first time.While junior Kristen Botner, who finished fifth, advanced as expected, it was No. 4 Emily Lupo who proved to be the difference. Lupo finished in 25:02, which bettered her course record by 1:45 as the HEAT secured sixth place.

''The biggest thrill is that it really was team that helped us accomplish the goal we set at the beginning of the season,'' HEAT founder and coach Bob Bemis said.

``We knew it was a possibility. Just to line up at states for the first time as a team will be a cool thing for the kids.''

Palmer Trinity's Mark Allen gave Dade a sweep of the individual titles when he crossed the finish line in 17:00, a few steps ahead of teammate Justin Weatherspoon (17:38). That 1-2 finish helped Palmer Trinity win the boys' team title.

The lone Broward boys' team to advance was Upperroom Christian, with runners Emanual Kent, Jahmaine Richards and Marc-Kenner Cheribin finishing fourth, eighth and 16th respectively.

Meanwhile, at the South Fork High School golf course, Pines Charter's Ryan Davis captured the Region 3-4A title, and Cypress Bay's Mariana Lucena finished second in the girls 3-4A race. Davis said he took charge after the first mile and finished in 16:17.

''Guys up there were pushing it,'' Davis said. ``I was in second place after the first mile. After that I surged past Okeechobee's Eddie Guerrero. From there on I was in first place the rest of the race.''

Region 4-1A Championships -- Boys' Individual results: 1. Mark Allen (PT) 17:00; 2. Justin Weatherspoon (PT) 17:38; 3. Carl Dominique (AC) 17:54; 4. Emanual Kent (URC) 18:09; 5. Luis Asensio (PT)18:17; 6. Sanjay Singh (AC)18:29; 7. Bradley Tritsch (DC) 18:34; 8. Jahmaine Richards (URC) 18:41; 9. Jonathan Rubio (FC) 18:55; 10. Daniel Diaz (DC) 19:02; 11. Alan Alvarez (FC) 19:03; 12. Arjun Chandar (MCD) 19:06; 13. Kent Lindbergh (CSC) 19:09; 14. Richard Granda (DC) 19:14; 15. Steve Zein (SHC) 19:17.51. Boys' team scores: 1. Palmer Trinity 53; 2. Dade Christian 85; 3. Florida Christian 106; 4. Upperroom Christian 116; 5. Archbishop Curley 128; 6. Miami Country Day 144. Girls' individual results: 1. Nicole Carpio (WC) 20:04; 2. Mollie Felder (FC) 21:31; 3. Wilde (Car) 21:52; 4. Michelle Figueroa (FC) 21:52; 5. Kristen Botner (SFH) 22:08; 6. Mackenzie Mariano (MCD) 22:23; 7. Claire Long (MCD) 22:30; 8. Victoria Camargo (WC) 22:33; 9. Candice Parsons (HC) 22:36; 10. Emily Carlson (WA) 22:41; 11. Wonderlin (Mara) 22:42; 12. Haley Felder (FC) 22:45; 13. Cindy Chang (PT) 22:50; 14. DiMauro (BRC) 22:54; 15. Nicole Feustel (WA) 22:59. Girls' team scores: 1. Westminster Academy 78; 2. Miami Country Day 90; 3. Florida Christian 94; 4. Carrollton 131; 5. Westminster Christian 132; 6. South Florida HEAT 133; 6. South Florida HEAT 133. For full regional results visit flrunners.com.

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