Lecanto High School

Achieving success. Every Panther. Every day.

Citrus HS AFJROTC Takes 3rd in Orienteering Nationals
Inverness, FL

Citrus High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) FL-082 hosted the 2024 AFJROTC National Orienteering Championships at J.B. Starkey Park in Pasco County on February 24th and 25th.  The two-day event, organized by the Suncoast Orienteering and Florida Orienteering, had nine AFJROTC teams from Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, and Florida competing against each other vying for the National Champion title.

Citrus High School placed second in the beginner division, third in the junior varsity division, and Cadet Morgan Roscoe received the bronze medal in the varsity division.  Overall, Citrus High School’s team of 21 orienteering cadets took home the third-place trophy being edged out by West Nassau High School from Callahan, FL and Etowah High School from Woodstock, GA.  This marks Citrus’ sixth year competing in orienteering and one of four AFJROTC teams regularly competing on the weekends.

Retired Master Sergeant Eric Brown, Aerospace Science Instructor for the Citrus High School program said, “The great thing about orienteering is that it teaches the fading skill of map reading while getting cadets out in nature to our beautiful parks.  It also a chance to taking a break from the electronic devices and enjoying a little exercise.” 

Orienteering is the art of navigating though parks and forests using a detailed map to find checkpoints, or controls, as they are called in the sport.  In competitive orienteering, the quickest and most accurate time is used for individual placement.  The use of a map, compass, and critical thinking skills aid the runner in determining the best route to the control.  The time the runner reaches the control is recorded on a USB style device, and then it’s off to the next control that eventually leads to the finish line.  Athleticism is not a key component of the sport but being accurate and consistent.  Orienteering is open to the public and events are hosted around the state as well as self-paced courses called Run-on-Your-Own (ROYO).  More information about orienteering can be found at www.floridaorienteering.org.

Congratulations Coach Story!

CRHS- Coach Sandy Story was named 2023/24 GC8 Girls' golf coach of the year.

Lecanto Lunatics: Fueling the Spirit of LHS

Caption: The Lecanto Lunatics cheers on the Lecanto Panthers in the game against the Florida Seminoles (Photo: Elena Aleman).

Alexis Foley, Student Writer - The Lecanto Lunatics is a group run by students whose main purpose is to come together to support Lecanto High School’s [LHS] athletic programs. Students come together to show their school spirit and cheer on their teams. It's a fun and energetic group to be a part of.

The Lecanto Lunatics isn’t just an after-school club, it’s the heart of LHS spirit. They come out to support the school every Friday for Friday Night Lights and volleyball games with themes like “Beach the Pirates”.

"The Lecanto Lunatics is a group full of all kinds of students that come together to cheer on our school during games. We go all out by getting really loud and dressing up to support our teams and it's a phenomenal way to show school spirit," said junior Carly Furniss.

The Lunatics love to get loud but what they love even more is when the school's cheerleaders engage in chants and cheers with the student section with fan favorites.

"My favorite part of the game is when the cheerleaders interact with the Lunatics and throw us mini footballs and encourage us to get even louder," said freshman Madison Burgard.

The Lunatics play a huge part in our sport programs because their energy and enthusiasm can really boost the team's sprits. When the stands are filled with cheering students it creates an amazing atmosphere that makes the games even more exciting and memorable.

“The student section makes the whole atmosphere different; it gets the crowd and the sideline hyped and I think it over all makes the team play better and makes the team a lot more energetic,” said junior football player Jacob Johnson.

Being a part of the Lunatics is a chance for everyone to come together, show their school spirit, and cheer on LHS. It’s all about celebrating the pride and unity of Lecanto High School.

“Friday games are a cool way to show spirit and I like to go and watch the game and hang out with friends. The themes are creative, and the student section gets everyone hyped,” said sophomore Aidan Coan.