Usual front-runner looks forward to tough meet

Citrus' Tony Lyons is used to being at the front of the pack, whether in cross country or track.

But Lyons, who won the 800- and 3,200-meter run in Tuesday's eight-team Citrus Invitational, knows victory won't be so easy today. The Hurricanes will be competing in the Mitchell Invitational with the host, Gulf, Hudson, Pasco, Ridgewood, River Ridge and Zephyrhills. Running events begin at 4:30 p.m.

"When we go to Mitchell, there's going to be a lot of competition down there, and that's when times will start improving for everybody -- not just me," said Lyons, who hopes to drop to 9:18 or 9:08 in the 3,200. He ran it in 10:23 on Tuesday.

Citrus coach Tom Darby said the Mitchell distance runners and quarter-milers will be especially competitive. "It's going to be much tougher than anything we've seen around here."

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Lecanto sophomore Lisa Bonadonna is among the area's top hurdlers, and she proved it in the 100 high hurdles during the Citrus Invitational. After just getting used to running 10 hurdles instead of five as a freshman, Bonadonna has steadily improved.

In a relays meet in Gainesville on March 1, Bonadonna came in third in the 100 hurdles with a 17.79 performance. In the Gulf Invitational of March 7, she ran a personal-best 17.02 to finish first.

"I think I just finally got the technique down when I started this year; it was just easier," Bonadonna said. "Last year, for a long time, I was running like 21s and 19s, but then towards the end of the season, I got to 18. And this year has been really good."

Although she has not been as successful in the 300, running 54s to last season's 53-somethings, Bonadonna is enjoying the hurdles.

"It's something different, and the 300 especially," she said. "You never get bored because there's always something to look for. It's a lot of fun."

Freshman Tara Haddock also has excelled for Lecanto, winning the 400 in Tuesday's Citrus meet.

WINNING EDGE: Lecanto junior Jonathan Edge is a reason the Panthers are making a name for themselves. In the Citrus Invitational, he won the 1,600 in 4:43.3, beating runner-up Matt Baum of perennial power Citrus by more than three seconds.

"I don't think we'll be quite up there with Citrus because they're pretty dominant, but by next year I plan to be dominant with the Lecanto team," Edge said.

He did not run the mile last season, focusing on the 4x800 relay, 800 and 3,200. But Edge says the mile will be his best event come district time, when he likely will drop the two mile. His best time in the 3,200 is 10:31, which he also ran Tuesday.

FINISH LINES: Seven Rivers Christian eighth-grader Taylor Cooke ran a 12:06 in the 3,200 of the Disney Relays this past weekend. ... Crystal River's Chris Bunch is back from a broken wrist, sustained during basketball season, and looked as speedy as ever in Tuesday's Citrus Invitational. ... Citrus' Katie Steelfox, who last season was seventh at state in the pole vault, has given up the event to focus on running.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright