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Seminole star brings it home

Ken Magee's eighth place at state caps a season that includes conference, district and region titles.

It would be too simple to measure Ken Magee's worth this season in minutes and seconds, in races won and titles garnered.

To truly appreciate just how much he was able to impact the boys cross-country season, consider these names: Tony Nicolosi, Eric Cobelens, Anthony Buccellato and Josh Comer.

Before the season started, his aforementioned Seminole teammates were a anonymous crew.

But by November, with Magee providing a steadying hand and an always reliable one point at every meet, Seminole was a Class 4A state qualifier and the county's best squad despite losing its No. 2, 4 and 5 runners.

It was Ken Magee and ... who?

"Ken was huge all year," said Nicolosi, a sophomore who should inherit the top spot for Seminole next season, after the state meet. "We're a young team, but Ken always gave us that one point, was always there. It took the pressure off us.

"It was an inspiration watching him run."

A first-team all-county pick last year, Magee improved greatly over the summer, earning the 2003 Times Boys Runner of the Year honor.

Magee was unbeaten locally, and captured conference, district and region titles this season. At state, he crossed the finish line eighth in 16 minutes, 11 seconds.

"Ken worked really hard this summer, and he reaped the benefits," coach Bruce Calhoun said earlier this season. "I'm not surprised really by anything he's done."

Magee was expected to be the area's best runner, but there were supposed to be challenges from good friend Nathan Holden of Indian Rocks Christian, St. Petersburg's Clayton Hofstra and perhaps others.

Magee, however, dispatched Holden in the season-opening Largo Invitational to establish himself as No. 1, and even Hofstra had to admit by midseason that catching Magee would be impossible.

Magee only got better. He coasted to titles in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference meet and in his district and region.

On a tough Bradenton course, he ran 17:02 at district but shaved 20 seconds off the following week to advance to state.

"I didn't run the way I wanted to (at state)," Magee said after his finish. "But it was a good year."

RUNNER OF THE YEAR: Ken Magee, Sr., Seminole

COACH OF THE YEAR: Bruce Calhoun, Seminole

FIRST TEAM

Nathan Holden, Sr., Indian Rocks Christian: Won district and regional titles; 15th at state meet.

Clayton Hofstra, Sr., St. Petersburg: 2nd at PCAC; won City championship and advanced to state meet.

Tommy Nagy, Jr., St. Petersburg: 3rd at PCAC and City meet; was 31st at state.

William Werly, Sr., Keswick Christian: Won boys Open division at USF meet; 10th at state.

Tim Rousonelos, Fr., Indian Rocks Christian: 2nd at districts, 3rd at regionals.

Karim Abdelbary, Sr., Largo: The bright spot for Largo this season; 6th at regionals.

Nate McPherson, East Lake: Consistent top 10 finisher at local meets; advanced to regionals.

SECOND TEAM

Michael Knous, Jr., Tarpon Springs

Tony Nicolosi, So., Seminole

Eric Cobelens, Jr., Seminole

Al Moreno, Sr., Dunedin

Zach Rousonelos, Fr., Indian Rocks Chr.

Bobby Yevich, Sr., SP Catholic

Sam Secord, Sr., SP Catholic

HONORABLE MENTION

Admiral Farragut - Ben James; East Lake - Chris Underhill; Indian Rocks Christian - Mike Mayleben, Matt Kotchman; Largo - Spencer Gibson, Lakewood - James O'Berry, Kyle Larson, Brian Stamp; Palm Harbor University - Kyle Savoy; St. Petersburg Catholic - Alex Lansky; Seminole - Anthony Buccellato, Josh Comer.