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Stephens just keeps on winning

By LARRY BUGG
Published June 9, 2005

You can't miss him at a race.

The runner has long hair and often finishes events breathing easily as the winner.

Lee Stephens , 24, earned $3,000 in competition last year. The former prep and college cross-country star won the Central Florida Road Warriors Series, Track Shack Series in Orlando an d Race Place Magazine Series, plus captured third in the Tampa Gasparilla 15K.

A 1998 Land O'Lakes High School graduate, Stephens claimed Pasco County, Sunshine Athletic Conference and district titles in his junior and senior years. He placed 26th at state as a junior and eighth his senior season.

Stephens ran two years at the University of South Florida and two for Florida Southern College. The No.1 FSC runner as a junior, he was three seconds from qualifying for the NCAA Division II championships. The Temple Terrace resident said he's performing better than ever.

"The competition keeps me going," Stephens said. "I wouldn't say I enjoy training. I live for the races. I am always trying to get faster."

In May, Stephens turned in a 27:24 showing in the Whispering Pines 5-Miler.

"I have run faster on other courses, but that course is really sandy and hilly with a lot of turns," Stephens said. "It is like 85 degrees all the time now."

He missed the first race of the 2005 Central Florida Road Warrior Series but has won every event since and can take the points lead in the 11th race. Stephens will be at the Run for Freedom 4-Miler on July 4 in Ocala.

Off course, Stephens also stays on the run. He's busy working on a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology at USF. Stephens is interested in teaching or doing research and hasn't ruled out the possibility of becoming a prep cross-country or track coach.

As a runner, Stephens said he coaches himself but welcomes new ideas for improvement.

"Anybody that I have met who runs or coaches, I try to learn and keep an open mind," Stephens said.

Last season, he said he ran 47 road races and in a couple of cross-country and track events. He's not dreaming about competing in marathons but has an unusual fantasy run.

"One I would like to run is the Mount Washington Road Race in New Hampshire," he said. "It is 7.6 miles. It is basically straight up a mountain. I can't really afford to take a trip up there.

"Over the years, I have discovered I am an endurance runner," Stephens said. "I think I have the most talent running on difficult terrain like Whispering Pines. I think I really excel in that."

He weighs only 140 but packs some power.

"I am more of a powerful runner than a speed runner," Stephens said. "I have been known to kick people down at the end. Usually when I beat people, I am running pretty hard the last mile."

The philosophy worked for 34 victories a year ago and continues to lead to success. "I don't think I am particularly fast, but I am a good racer," he said.

NEW 'CANES COACH: Chris Moling recently accepted the job of Citrus High School boys cross-country head coach. He succeeds Bruce Nelson , who stepped down after 22 years.

Moling is a former Citrus runner and currently president of DRC Sports and the Citrus Road Runners Club. He serves as master of ceremonies and race director for the Crystal River Sprint Triathlon Series and all Citrus Road Runners races.

CITRUS SUMMER SHOWDOWN 5K: The fifth annual race is scheduled for 8 a.m. on July 9 at Whispering Pines Park, 1700 Forest Drive, Inverness.

Awards will be presented to the top three runners in the Open Adult, College, High School and Middle School divisions. Entry is free. Participants can register online, www.active.com Latecomers can sign up the day of the event by purchasing a T-shirt for $5.

For information, contac t Milton Lyons , 352 220-3824 or mcl516@hotmail.com or Dan Epstein , (352) 795-1765 or eppa@aol.com

[Last modified June 9, 2005, 01:17:24]