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Pasco freshman off to a running, winning start

Leeann Eble claimed her third win in four races Friday.

By IZZY GOULD
Published October 5, 2005

DADE CITY - The soft-spoken freshman was a speck among an intimidating field of 176 runners at Little Everglades Ranch. She knew her competitors would kick and swing for the early edge.

How would the 5-foot-3 youngster handle this tangled web of arms and legs?

Apparently, just fine.

The fear Pasco's Leeann Eble felt quickly subsided. She ran her style and led the field in Friday's flrunners.com large-school open race.

Eble crossed the finish line first to claim her third victory in four races.

The infancy of her career has caught Pasco County's attention.

So much for baby steps.

This run lasted 20 minutes, 6 seconds, 12 seconds faster than her closest competitor, Palm Harbor U. senior Stephanie Rancich (20:18). Wesley Chapel sophomore Kirsten Fee finished fifth overall in 21:10.

Eble's climb in Pasco County was unforeseen.

This is her first journey on a cross country team. And Eble had limited distance experience. Her longest race before September was no more than a mile.

But Eble quieted any early skepticism. Her preseason workouts were so strong she began conditioning with Pasco's boys team within a week.

She continues to challenge them every day, step for step. Her teammates gave her the moniker "The Machine."

Quickly, it was clear to Pasco boys coach Barry Grayling that Eble was above the curve.

"I didn't know how good she was until she came out for cross country," Grayling said. "We quickly saw the potential."

Eble's other wins include the Land O' Lakes High Gator Invitational (20:32), and the Zak Lucas Invitational (19:55). She also finished fifth (20:06) at the Lecanto Invitational.

She never anticipated so much success so soon.

Running first began as a way to stay in shape. She started competing in seventh grade. Track and field helped with conditioning and strength.

Eble hoped the extra running would help enhance her strengths as a sweeper for her soccer team.

Running was never about winning races.

"My track coaches told me I'd probably be really good at running long distance and they trained me for it," Eble said. "I'm enjoying it. It's actually a blast."

Make no mistake - Eble is not apathetic.

She's squeezing every bit of energy during her runs to cut her times. She would love to consistently run times better than 20 minutes.

To compare, three other girls races were held at the flrunners.com meet over two days. The difference among fields was the quality of competition.

The most competitive of all heats was the race of champions Saturday.

There's no telling how Eble would have run that race. If a comparison of times is any guide, she would have placed 47th.

In the girls varsity invitational, she would have finished in the top five. And in the girls varsity open, she would have placed third.

One thing is certain, Eble has plenty of time to grow and accomplish her goals.

"It's not about winning. It's about trying my best," Eble said. "I have to get my time down. I want to make it to state."

Contact Izzy Gould at 352 521-6517 or igould@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 5, 2005, 01:14:17]