Sports

Berkeley Prep earns boys title

By JOE SMITH
Published October 28, 2006

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LARGO - Rumor has it: Calvary Christian junior Joe Cathey's running style is out of this world.

"He's from Mars," joked Shorecrest senior Alex Fox. "He's never tired, and he surges like a beast."

Cathey surged ahead in the final mile of Friday's race at Taylor Park to claim the district title in 16 minutes, 34 seconds.

Four Berkeley Prep runners filled in the next eight spots to take the team title at 35 points, followed by Shorecrest 98.

Cathey helped the Warriors (148) take the sixth and final spot, qualifying them for region competition on Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. at Taylor Park. The top 15 individuals also advanced.

The girls race, won by Lakeland Christian (44) and its sixth-grader Mallory White (19:31), was owned by the young guns.

There was third-place Shorecrest (67), led by eighth-grade twins Sarah and Lindsey Evans, who took the fourth and fifth spots.

There was fourth-place Indian Rocks (84), sparked by eighth-grader Lindsey Cooper (9th, 21:05). Cooper, who won the conference title last week, runs to keep in shape for her favorite sport.

"I don't like cross country at all," she said with a grin. "I'm a soccer player."

Cooper, however, does like her coach, Kris Williams, who is in his 13th and final season with Indian Rocks. In his honor, the team designed a shirt featuring with his mugshot - and, on the back, his 10 favorite sayings.

Quipped Williams: "I tried to talk them out of it, but they wouldn't listen."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (727) 893-8129.

[Last modified October 29, 2006, 05:46:55]