Jackie Wachtel and Lee Stephens earn victories in the 5K race, the prelude to the cross country season, at McKethan Lake Park.
By JOHN SCHWARB
Published August 29, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - The running bug remains strong in Jackie Wachtel long after winning state titles in cross country and track in the mid 1990s.
Moving into the coaching ranks, however, means watching races more often than competing in them. So it was a rare treat for the Mitchell coach to hit the pavement alongside her team Saturday at the Red Mule Runners Labor Day 5K at McKethan Lake Park.
Wachtel made the most of the opportunity, completing the 3.1-mile course in 18 minutes, 39 seconds to finish first among women. "I love to run. When I watch (Mitchell runners) run these races, I think, "Man, I wish I could do it.' And this one I could," said Wachtel, 25, who as Jackie Waller dominated area running at River Ridge. "When I caught up to some of the kids, I'd try to push them and coach them from there.
"I beat a few. They're probably embarrassed the coach beat them."
One of Wachtel's old contemporaries from the Pasco County running scene, former Land O'Lakes standout Lee Stephens, prevailed on the men's side. His winning time was, for him, an easy 16:04.
"I held back at the end," Stephens said. "I'm running another race (today), an Orlando 5K in a new racing series. I'm a glutton for punishment."
With the win, Stephens, 24, remained on top in the Central Florida Road Warrior Series, a year-long 12-race series in Citrus, Hernando and Marion counties that awards $1,000 to the overall points leader.
On the fast McKethan Lake course, Stephens completed the first mile in 5:07, just behind Mitchell senior John Tuccio. Shortly after, Stephens made his move and cruised the rest of the way, ultimately beating Tuccio and masters winner Mickey Hooke of Bradenton by 26 seconds.
In fourth place at 16:37 was Kevin Lyons, a Harvard freshman and Class 2A 3,200-meter champion last spring for Clearwater Central Catholic. Gulf junior Tommy Accaria was fifth in 16:45.
Lecanto's Taylor Cooke, second in the women's points race in the Road Warrior Series, was tops among area high school runners at 19:51.
The race is the unofficial kickoff to the high school cross country season, highly anticipated this year with the return to McKethan Lake one year after rising floodwaters forced the event to Ernie Wever Youth Park.
The course was repaved and received many strong reviews from the field of 250, which exceeded organizers' expectations.
"I always enjoy this course," said Hernando senior Leela Hadsock, who clocked 20:04. "Today wasn't a day for competition. It was about starting off the season with a good race, thinking positive and getting some good times in, which I did."
