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Seminole, ahead of schedule after a surprise season, expects to lead the PCAC again once it overcomes injuries.
By BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 19, 2002
There seems to have been some misunderstanding regarding Seminole's timetable.
The Warhawks were supposed to make a run at titles this season, not last year.
Seminole had a lot of depth, but last season was expected to be a writeoff while the team waited for the sophomore- and junior-dominated roster to develop. No one imagined the Warhawks would dethrone Lakewood for the Pinellas County Athletic Conference and district championships.
So how do you predict what Seminole will do this year? Repeating as a conference and district champ is a hard thing to do. But the Warhawks maintain they might be more talented and are equally driven to win.
"Based on what we have back, we should be better than last year's team," coach John Bordeaux said. "But it's hard to tell how good we'll be because we're not at full strength. We have to get healthy and get through some injuries."
So far, the Warhawks have looked like a fife and drum corps. Kyra Kasprazk most likely is out for the season. Ashley Elliott is bothered by a nagging leg injury that sidelined her during the postseason last year. And Lauren Hatfield hasn't fully recovered from a broken leg and recently sustained an ankle injury.
Therefore, all prognostications come equipped with a disclaimer about the health of the squad. "We need to get those girls to recover," senior Devon Rich said.
Rich is the one star who is healthy. Last season, she placed fifth in the 200 meters and seventh in 100 meters in the Class 3A state meet. Rich said she's concentrating on those events and hopes to break the school record in each one.
"Coach Bordeaux wants me to be the leader, and I've taken on the responsibility," Rich said. "So there's some pressure on me, but that's okay."
The pressure won't be as strong once her classmates return. Bordeaux said he hopes they can compete by March 19, the date of the Seminole Rotary.
"That might be too soon, though," Bordeaux said. "I just want them back in time for districts."
Even without those who are injured, Seminole can compete because of its depth. The field events are covered with Antoinette Savino and Madeline Parhalo. So too are the distance events with Nicole Ferraro and Sarah Stargel.
"Our goal still is to win the conference and district title and keep going in regionals and states," Rich said. "We're going to have to work hard to do that, but I think it can be done."