Cowboys dominate districts

By ROD GIPSON
Published April 21, 2005

TAMPA - They took different routes, but the results were the same as Gaither's boys and girls captured district championships on Wednesday.

The host Cowboys used varying strategies to eventually outdistance their opponents. While the girls dominated the distance events, their field athletes performed well enough to score key points as they tallied 191 overall points to Riverview's 162. Chamberlain was third at 83 followed by Durant (67).

Gaither's boys did well in the relays and also received key points in the field events to top Riverview 142.5 to 119. Chamberlain (117) was third while Lakeland placed fourth (103.50).

Amanda Quick led the Gaither girls with victories in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, and also helped the 4x800-meter relay team capture first place. Pole vaulter Amanda Anair took first for the Cowboys, who also got strong performances from Gabrielle Newton (second in the 100-meter hurdles) and Kathryn Kramer (second in the 1,600 and 3,200).

Riverview, meanwhile, was led by N'Kira Okpaleke, who took both the 100 and 300-meter hurdles.

"To win the district is a total team effort effort," Gaither girls coach Ladd Baldwin said. "We knew our distance would be strong but a lot of our other kids just came through for us."

On the boys side, despite wins from Riverview's Stephen Wilson (800 meters), Ignacio Fernandez-Stearns (16,00, 3,200 meters) and the Sharks' 4x800-meter relay squad, Gaither's strong relay team of Phillip Boles, Carlton Mitchell, Torrey Esalomi and Oviemena Esalomi helped the Cowboys maintain their edge.

The Cowboys won the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. That point total, combined with big wins in the pole vault (Jared Jones) and the discuss (Reggie Wilson) helped distance the Cowboys from Riverview, Chamberlain and a Lakeland squad that led early after wins in the sprint events.

"We had good performances on both sides," Baldwin said. "It's tough sometimes being the host because there's so much to do but you like to think the host would have some kind of advantage."

[Last modified April 21, 2005, 01:06:12]