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Mitchell cross country coach wins Summer Showdown

She was a champion runner in her high school years in Pasco County. Last year's men's winner defends his title.

By LARRY BUGG
Published July 11, 2005

INVERNESS - Jacki Wachtel knows this scene.

Just as she did in high school, the current Mitchell High School boys and girls cross country coach took the early lead and won the female race in the Fifth Citrus Summer Showdown Saturday morning at Whispering Pines Park.

Wachtel was Jacki Waller at River Ridge High School, and she never lost a cross country race inside Pasco County. She won Saturday's 5K with a time of 19:29.

The 26-year-old Tarpon Springs resident beat Citrus Springs resident Deirdra Witherspoon, who ran a 20:19. Witherspoon was a former standout at Lecanto High School.

"It was not what I wanted," said Wachtel, who also runs triathlons and marathons. "I ran 18:24 in 3 miles in a triathlon on Monday (the Crystal River Triathlon). I felt good. I felt strong. It was fun. I was just trying to push myself. It's fun to do a 5K in the summer. I try to coach by example."

"It was really, really humid," said Witherspoon, who now runs at Florida Atlantic University. "I haven't run here in years. I was sucking wind at a mile and a half. I wanted better time-wise, but considering the course and the weather, it's not bad."

Notre Dame runner Vinny Ambrico won the men's race for the second year in a row. Ambrico won with a time of 15:40. He beat Jake Wilke of Orlando, who had a 16:00.

Tyrone Bell of Middleburg was third with 16:07. Former Land O' Lakes High School standout Lee Stephens was fourth at 16:13.

Land O'Lakes High School senior Steven Bell was 10th with a time of 17:23. Daniel French of Brooksville was 24th with a time of 18:31.

The male winner took his time taking the lead.

"I wanted to sit back and let things happen," Ambrico said. "I kept going and picking it up. I felt it warm up. I could only warm up for 2 miles; it was hot out. (I took the lead) at a little past a mile and a half. It felt somewhat relaxed to me. I ran a 15:23 last year. I was a little more suicidal (last year)."

Daniel French battled the humidity.

"For an old guy, I felt I did okay," said French, a 42-year-old Citrus Road Runners Male Runner of the Year. "It was just a hot day. We had very, very oppressive heat. This is a tuneup for a race next week in Tennessee. This was a great field."

Steven Bell is considered one of the best high school boy runners in the North Suncoast, but he didn't think he was in great shape.

"I really didn't think I was ready for this race," said Steven Bell. "I went to the bathroom, got into line and started running. I'm pretty sore. I have been working for my uncle the past three days. I have been doing eight-hour weightlifting sessions."

"I ran 19:46 in North Carolina," said Lecanto High girls coach Dan Epstein. "The humidity - oh my God."

"It was very, very humid," said Hernando High boys coach and veteran marathoner Ernie Chatman. "It was tough. From two and half for me, it was a struggle. I beat the guys on my cross country team. It was fun. It feels like you have to cut this wall before you get through it."

"It was hot and muggy," said Crystal River coach Lisa Carter. "I always love this trail, but it was hard to get air."

"I am finally recovered (from a foot injury in the spring)," said Crystal River High runner Holly Van Sicklen. "The heat is pretty bad. You have to get used to it."

There were 175 runners who started the race, far fewer than the 300 expected to participate.

"The hurricane took about half of the runners," said Milton Lyons, who started the race and coordinated it with Chris Moling. "It wiped out UCF (University of Central Florida), FSU (Florida State). All local runners came, but people who had to travel more than two hours stayed home. "

Here are results from the Fifth Citrus Summer Showdown:

Women

OVERALL: Jacki Wachtel, 19:29

COLLEGE: Deirdra Witherspoon, 20:19

HIGH SCHOOL: Kristin Galbraith, 20:42

MIDDLE SCHOOL: Morgan Keppel, 22:50

ADULT: Kaaron Bens Patrick, 23:08

TOP 10

1. Jacki Wachtel, Tarpon Springs, 19:29; 2. Deirdra Witherspoon, Citrus Springs, 20:19; 3. Lauren Galbraith, Tampa, 20:42; 4. Kristin Galbraith, Tampa, 20:50; 5. Holly Van Sicklen, Crystal River, 21:15; 6. Augusta Dense, Ocala, 21:24; 7. Tiffanie Saxton, Tampa, 21:26; 8. Tori Lawson, Ocala, 22:19; 9. Courtney Clearsmaster, Wesley Chapel, 22:30; 10. Morgan Keppel, Land O'Lakes, 22:50.

Men

OVERALL: Vinny Ambrico, 15:40

COLLEGE: Jake Wilke, 16:00

HIGH SCHOOL: Ryan Courtoy, Thonotosassa, 16:23

ADULT: Lee Stephens, Land O'Lakes, 16:13

TOP 10

1.Vinny Ambrico, Altamonte Springs, 15:40; 2. Jake Wilke, Orlando, 16:00; 3. Tyrone Bell, Middleburg, 16:07; 4. Lee Stephens, Land O'Lakes 16:13; 5. Ryan Courtoy, Thonotosassa, 16:23; 6. Paul Fitzpatrick, Ocala, 17:00; 7. John Emerson, Brooksville, 17:07; 8. Jonathan Altar, Flagler Beach, 17:13; 9. Eric Walker, Matawan, N.J., 17:15; 10. Steven Bell, Land O'Lakes, 17:23.

[Last modified July 11, 2005, 01:00:09]