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Zephyrhills likes view around state

The Bulldogs fare well at the Central Florida Invitational, finishing fifth.

By IZZY GOULD
Published March 28, 2006

ZEPHYRHILLS - Zephyrhills went to the Central Florida Invitational looking for big fish.

Dave Jones has eyed these big meets since the dawn of his career in 1981. He believes there's no better way to prepare a team for the postseason push.

Everyone in Pasco County knows athletes such as Bryan Thomas hog the first-place awards of almost event within county borders. But where does he stand in terms of state competition?

Saturday's invitational in Clermont provided that look for Thomas, Jones and the rest of the Bulldogs.

Zephyrhills took fifth place 68 points, just 21/2 points shy of third. Groveland South Lake won with 91 points.

"It's nice to get out and see different parts of the state," Jones said. "When you go and compete against the same people week after week it's just ho hum. They need a big-meet atmosphere."

The National Training Center housed a pristine venue for the event including a 400-meter rubberized track and grass fields.

More importantly, Zephyrhills found a true gauge of its ability heading toward the homestretch.

The Bulldogs' 4x100 team of Cannelious Ansley, Jason Wells, Sederrik Cunningham and Bryan Thomas flourished with the top preliminary and finals times.

The Bulldogs ran a time of 42.78, their best of the year.

Thomas also shined in the long jump, winning at 22 feet, 5 inches, his longest career jump. He also had some problems, with a second-place finish in the 200 - a race Jones said he hadn't lost since his freshman season - and a disqualification in the 100 after a false start.

Arcenio Navles of Kissimmee Poinciana won the 200.

"There were some fast people at this meet," Jones said. "These guys are out there and we know they're good. You just don't see their names in the paper."

Cunningham also seems to be fine-tuning his skills with his new event, the triple jump. He added the triple jump three weeks ago after Jones caught him toying around with it in practice.

Turns out Cunningham could have a future as a jumper.

Beyond his third-place finish in the 100 (times were not available after an equipment malfunction), he earned second in the triple jump 41-61/2.

Cunningham had the same mark as Tarone Cowan from Freedom, but meet rules gave Cowan the victory.

"This was only my third time doing this," Cunningham said. "I have to work on it. It'll get better by the end of the year."

--Contact Izzy Gould at 813 909-4612 or sportsjournalist@gmail.com

[Last modified March 28, 2006, 03:01:29]