The girls’ cross-country team left the Shark Invitational at Sebastian River High School clutching the first-place trophy, only for the runners to find out the next day, that they had actually placed second in the meet. The team missed first place by a matter of seconds, which can be attributed to a lack of communication regarding the course. Seventh-grader Gabriela S., who finished 13th, received no help from personnel when she began running in the wrong direction. When she finished the race, she found herself one second behind Titusville senior Jessica O’Bryan.

“I lost about 10 seconds,” Gabriela said. “This guy was standing there and he didn’t tell me I was going the wrong way, so I had to ask him … and he didn’t really care.”

The team, which had several runners finish in the top 30, was pushed into second place by Viera runner Isabella Babiliona’s time, which was good enough for seventh place. It will be forced to give the first place trophy to Viera High School, which won first by one point.

“They should’ve just calculated it right instead of just giving it to us and having to take it away,” 30th place runner Emily O. said.

Editor’s note: Brevard Public Schools policy prohibits the inclusion of middle-schoolers’ last names on district-sponsored websites.