KEY RETURNEES: Josh Dubois, Sr.; Ben Kirchmen, Sr.; Kelly Bowens, Jr.; and Brad Henderson, Soph.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Kyle Smith, Sr.; Mike Shannon, Fr.; and Josh Shannon, Fr.
OUTLOOK: Central has nine runners this year. Dubois and Kirchman are close as far as No. 1 goes. "It's going to be a rebuilding year for us," Milholland said. "My goal is to get up to 20 athletes. Depth plays a huge part in cross country." Bowens has stepped up. Milholland said Bowens put in a lot of miles over the summer. Dubois also put in several. The coach thinks Smith will help. Smith was an outstanding high-jumper in track.
HERNANDO
COACH: Ernie Chatman (24th year.)
KEY LOSS: Bret Chatman.
KEY RETURNEES: Ben and Andrew Martucci, both juniors; Thomas Mountain, Jr.; Chris Martin, Jr.; Ian Hetu, Jr.; Mike DeVary, Sr.; and Tyler Champagne, Jr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jacob Bess (transferred from Central in spring), Sr.; Robert Sudduth, Sr.; Tyler Baldwin, Jr.; Joe Wright, Fr.; and Jonathan Phillips, Fr.
OUTLOOK: Hernando was 12th in the 2004 Class 2A state meet and should be as strong or stronger this year. Bess was among the county's top runners at Central. The transfer should strengthen an already strong Leopards team. Ben Martucci was 18th at state last year with a 16:28 performance. Hernando has 18 runners, a sign of a strong team. "Robert Sudduth is in the healing process from tendonitis," said Ernie Chatman, the dean of North Suncoast coaches. "Joe Wright has run very well. Sudduth ran well this summer, but he hurt himself. He goes out and works." Martucci was sixth (16:45) in the recent Red Mule Run. His twin brother, Andrew, was eighth (16:54). Hernando runners can't help but learn from Chatman. He will run nine marathons this year and is headed to the Boston Marathon in April.
HERNANDO CHRISTIAN
COACHES: Sue Murphy (third year, seventh overall) and Jason Kahler (first year).
KEY LOSSES: None.
KEY RETURNEE: Kevin Herbert, eighth grade.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Kyle Morra, seventh grade; and Cody Gillis, sixth.
OUTLOOK: Hernando Christian Academy will run in junior varsity competition this year. "It is a young team, and we plan on building," Murphy said. The squad cannot win any meets, as it has only three members.
KEY RETURNEES: Alex Mason, Soph.; and David Garton, Soph.
KEY NEWCOMER: Michael D'Orlando, Fr.
OUTLOOK: Nature Coast Tech has just three runners, so it will not be able to score points as a team. The best the Sharks can do is hope to qualify for region and state as individuals. Cervizzi was a successful coach at Central and should be able to develop a strong program for Nature Coast in a few years.
SPRINGSTEAD
COACH: Fred Hudson (11th year). KEY LOSSES: None.
KEY RETURNEES: Steve McManus, Jr.; Mike Costanzo, Soph.; David Borreago, Sr.; and Dan Sanders, Jr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Alex Rudell, Jr.; and Dustin Soto, Fr.
OUTLOOK: Springstead will have seven runners and be able to place as a team. McManus made the all-county squad last year. "We did a little more in the summer," Hudson said. "The kids did workouts. That will make a difference. I am just hoping to improve. Last year, we were third in the county."
GIRLS
CENTRAL
COACH: Erin Courtney (first year). KEY LOSS: Teresa Dorman.
KEY RETURNEES: Jamie McCarter, Soph.; Liz McGeehan, Soph.; Jen Mihok, Jr.; and Danielle Lannigan, Sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Ashley Tombrink, Soph.; and Stephanie Lisk, Sr.
OUTLOOK: "We have the potential to be a good team," Courtney said. "We haven't had a strong team since 2001. I really want to get the program back up and running. I would like to take our team to state. Jamie McCarter could get to state. She is our best one based on times." Courtney is a former Central cross-country athlete. McCarter has run in the 21s. It is a rebuilding year. McGeehan ran under 25 minutes and McCarter over 25 in at the recent Red Mule. Courtney showed the way, turning in 21:54.
HERNANDO
COACH: Erin Sullivan (third year).
KEY LOSSES: Leela Hadsock, Nicole Daugherty and Josefin Tonn.
KEY RETURNEES: Erica Roessler, Soph.; Danielle Coopman, Sr.; Kaitlyn Royal, Soph.; Anna Gray, Sr.; and Amanda Frazier, Fr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Emi Stephens, Fr.; and Rebecca Frazier, Fr.
OUTLOOK: Hernando was fifth in the Class 2A state meet in 2004, but Hadsock (13th) graduated and now is running for the University of Tampa. "It will be interesting," Sullivan said. "We have had all kinds of injuries. Anna Gray is running well." The Leopards were 18th at state in 2003, and the team likely is to make it three straight trips. Coopman recently hurt her back playing volleyball but is expected to return and run well.
HERNANDO CHRISTIAN
COACHES: Sue Murphy (third year, seventh overall) and Jason Kahler (first year).
KEY LOSSES: None.
KEY RETURNEE: Kaitlin Sauskjous, Sr.
KEY NEWCOMERS: None.
OUTLOOK: Sauskjous ran in the Class A state meet last year. She was the first Hernando Christian Academy member to compete at the championships in any sport. "Kaitlin ran all summer in preparation for this season," Murphy said. "I am hoping she will be able to compete at a higher level this year."
OUTLOOK: This is a building year and the second season for the program. There were three runners last year and now there's six. "We are just trying to develop a team," Peeples said. "Cheltsie and Lilly have run before, and they are going to carry this team. It's a new program. We are trying to get kids interested and teaching them how to run."
OUTLOOK: This is the first season for Zadoorian, but he honed his craft in New York state. He had nationally-ranked teams at Columbia High School. Springstead's goal is to qualify for the region. There is only one veteran on the team, which had 18 runners at one time. The Eagles are hoping to have 12-14 at the end of the year. Zadoorian is trying to develop runners. He wants to build a solid program and be able to contend for state championships.
