SARASOTA — David Gardner crossed the finish line at the Region 4A-2 meet Saturday and fell to the ground. Austin Roy and William Castrovince, close behind, gathered around their teammate, themselves doubled over.

They had been given strict instructions to run so hard that they wouldn’t be able to walk, and they complied. Gardner finished 13th, Roy 17th and Castrovince 24th, all in under 18 minutes.