The Wesley Chapel senior worked on himself as much as his game in a bid for another state title.
By IZZY GOULD
Published August 30, 2005
WESLEY CHAPEL - He stood at the second tee buried beneath a ton of strokes.
Cameron Knight was squandering his state title bid.
Something finally kicked in that second day at that second hole.
Knight's clubs were smoking and the rest was a blur. He was clutching the Class 2A individual state trophy 17 holes later.
Every practice putt since his freshman year had been for a state title. His dream finally was tangible.
Knight wiped away an opening-round 71 with a personal best 65 on Day 2. His 136 total was at least two strokes better than any competitor.
"(His 65) was the best score he shot for 18 holes," Wesley Chapel coach Alan Black said. "That tells you a lot about the kid to shoot his low the second day of the state tournament. It was incredible to watch."
Knight, who has verbally committed to play for Florida State, obviously hopes to defend his title. The senior will do almost anything to improve.
That includes running cross country and weightlifting.
Crossing into other sports is nothing new for Knight. There was a time when he wore football pads. He once believed a baseball glove was the key to athletic prominence.
Knight put most sports aside to donate his latest stage of development to golf.
But track and field coach Brian Colding convinced Knight last spring that running could be an avenue to conditioning for golf.
Knight loathed running on his own; he felt it was boring. Joining a team made it more appealing. By season's end, Knight was a region qualifier in the 400 meters and 4x400 relay.
More important, Knight believes track helped strengthen him physically and mentally.
Each lap was like a study session. He had plenty of time to think. Plenty of time to feel his legs tire and his lungs burn. That was when he convinced himself to run harder.
"Running takes mental strength," Knight said. "There's always that mental voice that says, "I want to stop.' But I stick it out for two more miles."
There also was a strength factor. Knight lifted weights and gained 15 pounds last spring, which added power to his swing.
His shots also seem to be more accurate.
"Those sports really helped me," Knight said. "I started hitting the ball really far. I have more control over my body and my shots. I feel like I'm a better athlete."
He decision to run this fall with the cross country team initially was another way to stay in top form. Now he will compete on Saturdays.
Black said he feels running is positive. No one anticipates a conflict.
"Everyone knows golf is most important to me," Knight said. "I'm fast enough to where I'll be one of the top five runners."
If his opening round against Mitchell was an indicator, Knight appears ready for a return trip to state. His 34 was a match low against rival Mitchell.
"He's definitely capable of doing what he did last year," Black said. "He has a goal of going back to state. He would love to repeat. I think it's one step at a time."
