 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Relay looks ahead
By KRISTEN LEIGH PORTER INVERNESS -- Undefeated. That's exactly how the Citrus 4x800 relay team would like to stay, heading into Friday's Class 2A, District 7 meet. With seniors Tony Lyons, Matt Baum and James LoPiccolo returning from a quartet that finished second at state in 8 minutes, 9.2 seconds last season, experience is on their side. Lyons and LoPiccolo have been running the 4x800 since they were freshman and Baum joined the group as a sophomore. LoPiccolo said he thinks the relay should win districts and regionals, and is hoping for a top-three finish at state. "We've all got the experience of running at the state level, so I think that will help us," LoPiccolo said. Replacing current Florida Southern runner C.J. Bryant is sophomore D.J. Carella. Bryant ran the 800 in 1:57, which would be the fastest on this year's team, although the three returnees are all running faster this season. "C.J. Bryant does leave some big shoes to fill, although I have pretty big feet myself," Carella joked, looking down at his size 13s. "I can only imagine what it's going to be like next year when I'm the big dog on the team. "I'm just trying to do my part and make sure we get our best showing at state, that's all I'm really focused with right now." The best split Lyons has run is a 1:59, and Baum (2:01), LoPiccolo (2:08), and Carella (2:04) all said they can drop time. The 'Canes have been clocked about 10 seconds slower as of right now, but their fastest time last year did not come until state, when they set a school record. "As long as it comes at the right time, then that's all we need," Lyons said. Baum said he would like to break the school record again, which was the 8:09.20 set last year at state. Lyons is already thinking about 8:07, and said that would require getting LoPiccolo and Carella a little lower on the same day. "Putting that all in perspective, if we all had good days it will all fall into place," Lyons said. "I'm pretty sure we'll get that school record this year." Twice this season, the race came down to the last 100 meters, but Lyons won it on the last leg. All it takes is that one second sometimes and Lyons said already two or three times that one second or half second has been needed. Good handoffs are one way to cut time, Baum said. "That's just as important as the racing part," Baum said. "If you drop the baton, you're out. It'll definitely come down to that little stuff at state." If the 'Canes make it as expected, state will be a whole new test. Miami Gulliver Prep is returning all four of its runners after taking sixth last year and St. Augustine Nease is also returning several runners, but the 'Canes believe they can hang with those teams. Baum said the relay has yet to face the kind of competition that will force it to start dropping time. "Once we start hitting the bigger meets like regionals and state, that's when we'll really start dropping time," Baum said. "That's when we'll start hitting what we're capable of." Relay members say Crystal River is going to be their biggest competition in districts and regionals. Citrus held off the Pirates at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference meet by running an 8:17. All four will be competing in other events as long as they keep advancing. Lyons said the mentality is the same as in individual events. "As long as you have a good race, your teammates will have a good race," he said.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
Citrus Times | ||||||||||||||||
