 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Runners prepare to go the distance
By TERRY JONES For many years Leto's long red row has been in the thick of boys cross country competition all the way to the annual state meet. For the second consecutive season, Leto is one of the favorites to capture the title. In addition to the Falcons, Alonso, Wharton, Sickles and Gaither should have highly competitive teams; and Freedom, even though it is in its first season, could win some races. There is plenty of strategy involved in racing a 3-mile course, and north Hillsborough County public schools have some of the top cross country coaches in Florida. Leto is starting the season as a state favorite, but several other area teams are likely to be in the hunt. ALONSO: In just its second season, Alonso already has the basis for a competitive team and the foundation for a winning program. At the helm for the Ravens is Dean Robertson, another successful distance running coach. Jacob Tiernan, the only senior, is the front runner and is the team leader. Also back after a summer of rigorous training are sophomore Chris Middleton and junior DeVon Poles. "We have a bunch of guys who have greatly improved over last year and are working hard this year," Robertson said. "Although we are only in our second season, I believe these guys will compete with some of the better teams this season." CHAMBERLAIN: Coach Terry Crews did not respond to numerous calls for information about his team, but the Chiefs are usually very competitive. FREEDOM: After building a successful program at King, David Outlaw moved to Freedom to build a solid program for the Patriots. He believes every high school has a state championship cross country team walking the halls, waiting to be recruited and taught the sport. On the first day of practice only two boys reported to tryouts. That number has grown to eight and Outlaw hopes for an even larger team in time for the first meet. "Some come out for the social aspects, others for the conditioning, and somewhere in there we try to find runners interested in running long distances all year round," Outlaw said. "We don't even expect to be competitive until next year, but hopefully some of the kids will develop enough interest to make cross country important to them." GAITHER: Seniors Kelsey Shepherd, Marcus Dickson and Chris Neff are the team's veterans. A good crop of new runners are vying for spots on the team and the Cowboys could be competitive by the end of the season. Ladd Baldwin has been working with both girls and boys teams, but he will be working only with the girls team once a new boys coach is hired. LETO: This year's team, ranked fifth in the state, is led by five veteran seniors and coached by three Falcon alumni. Hendrick "Henny" Schoeman is head coach, and assisting him are Paul Valitutto and Bobby McConnell. The long red row is a name given to Leto cross country runners years ago, because they usually run together near the front of races forming a row of red uniforms. Seniors leading the pack this season include Coe Fedorenko, Josh Salas, Danny Lopez, Tyrone Jones and Isaac Raplee. Chin Stefko, a junior, is the No. 6 runner hoping to get plenty of race time. "Our motto this season is 'Seize the Year,' " Schoeman said. "I know we are ranked high in the state, but we are not quite there yet. That is good though, because we have room to improve and get better. We hope to have a great season this year. We have some very good athletes and a good coaching staff." SICKLES: Although this is her first season of coaching cross country, Penny Heid is no stranger to training and teaching athletes the sport of running. She has been part of the Gryphons track coaching staff for several years. Her knowledge of track athletes with distance running talent has helped her recruit for depth and she has been active. Senior Dan Buethe is back as captain. Joining him in the top five are seniors Josh Iorio and Pablo Aguirre, junior Dan Gollins and sophomore Brock Galvin. "I think the boys will do well this season," Heid said. "They work very strong together, and I think they do have a good chance of qualifying for the state meet. They really want it bad." WHARTON: Even though the Wildcats are in their second rebuilding year, they have a top-three capable of running with any team and several younger ones vying for a place in the lineup. Zack Sanchez runs in the No. 1 spot, with Jose Rodriquez close behind. Wharton coach Wes Newton describes them as a "force" and, he said, Tampa Bay Tech transfer Ryan Kniery as a close third. "If we scored only the first three, we would be competitive with anyone," Newton said. "But we score five and we have to work on the other two. However, we have some good athletes capable of working into the lineup and doing well." They include juniors Andy Barthel and Jonathan Green, freshman Andrew Coates and seniors Rubin Pope and Sarell Cerome.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times |
