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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 14, 2002
TRACK AND FIELD
Citrus boys right where their coach wants them
At last week's seven-team meet at Lecanto, the Citrus boys won easily, finishing 88 points ahead of second-place River Ridge.
Longtime Hurricanes coach Tom Darby was neither surprised nor overly impressed. What his team did is about what he expected.
"Nobody has really done anything special," Darby said. "Everybody is about where we're supposed to be. We're right on course."
At this stage, Darby isn't too concerned about wins and losses. He's looking for improvement. Citrus, like most top teams, uses regular-season meets as training sessions.
"Basically, they're time trials," Darby said. "The only thing I worry about is the progress of the kids, and are they doing the things to progressively get better."
The goal: Be ready for districts, regionals and state.
"We don't do great this time of year, but we're not supposed to," Darby said. "We train through the early meets. The kids are running with tired legs, but we make them that way. We take the legs away, and then a couple weeks before districts we give them back to them."
Former Hurricane getting a chance
Former Citrus standout Sam McLain is getting plenty of playing time in college.
McLain, a freshman outfielder for Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, has started 13 of the Saints' 21 games. Although he is batting only .217, McLain has 4 doubles, 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.
Santa Fe lists McLain as a pitcher/outfielder, but he has not seen any action on the mound.
McLain transferred to Santa Fe in January from the Air Force Academy. He was a Times All-Citrus/Hernando pick in baseball and football as a senior.
Three ex-Crystal River players -- freshmen Danny Caron and Ryan Lindeman, and sophomore Bobby Stack -- have seen action for Central Florida Community College this spring.
Stack is 3-2 with a 5.17 ERA in six appearances -- all starts. Caron is batting .222 and has one start on the mound. He pitched three innings but did not record a decision. Lindeman is 0-3 with an 8.05 ERA in eight appearances.
The Patriots, who recently signed Crystal River seniors Marcus Galvan and Jimmy Metz, are 8-16.
Webber International loaded with Hurricanes
Several Citrus graduates have made a splash at Webber International University, an NAIA school in Babson Park.
Senior Jodi Lott and freshman Courtenay Gelin were key members of the women's team, which went 5-12-1 and placed fifth in the Florida Sun Conference. Lott was a starter at center-forward and a team captain. Gelin was her top backup.
Lott, a four-year starter, scored three goals and had two assists as a senior.
"Jodi had a problem last year with her knee and ankles, but this year she was healthy and had a good season," Warriors coach Steve Warner said.
Gelin began her career as a defender, but was moved to offense to better utilize her size and skills.
"That's her spot," Warner said. "She's been working really hard in the weight room over the spring and is trying to get quicker. She's a wonderful kid and has a great attitude. I can't complain about her at all."
The men's squad, which went 5-13-1, had three ex-Citrus players -- freshman keeper Chris Garcia, freshman midfielder Justin Loriquer and senior defender Kevin Lott (Jodi's brother) -- on its roster. All were backups.
Warner, who also coaches the men, said Loriquer is expected to start next season.
Flip a coin to decide which game to watch
This weekend's best local sporting event? Take your pick.
The Citrus baseball team plays host to Crystal River at Whispering Pines Park at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The following night at 6, Crystal River, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, hosts No. 6 Jacksonville Trinity Christian. At last check, the Conquerors were unbeaten.
Tourney to benefit local FSU students
The seventh annual Citrus County Seminoles Club tournament is scheduled for April 20 at Citrus Hills. The cost is $50 per player. All proceeds go toward a scholarship fund that helps send local students to Florida State University. For information, call 726-9325 or 726-3966.