One goal down, two to go for Wharton

By DAVID MURPHY Times Staff Writer
Published October 28, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - While attending an overnight cross country camp at Appalachian State University this summer, the Wharton girls team gathered and formulated a list of goals for the upcoming season.

The Wildcats were counting on a host of underclassmen to fill the void left by four graduating seniors, but their objectives remained lofty: win districts, top 3 at regionals, top 5 at states.

One of those goals came to fruition Friday as twin juniors Katrina and Kathia Skinner placed first and third, helping Wharton edge Ocala Vanguard for the title.

"We just wanted to keep our legacy going," said Katrina, whose time of 19:54 was 14 seconds faster than second-place finisher Tori Lawson of Vanguard.

Wharton's boys also fared well, dominating the field for a win that was very much expected. The Wildcats placed three runners in the top 10, led by senior Pedro Carela, who finished third in 17:08.

Freedom senior Javier Beuzeville finished second in 16:55, five seconds behind Land O'Lakes sophomore Felix Soto, to qualify individually for regionals.

As a team, Freedom finished 12th.

Bucs boys win; Terps girls move on 

LARGO - Richard Blake, Tyler Greathouse and Robert Livingston formed a Berkeley Prep bubble around Calvary Christian's Joe Cathey on Friday.

The Berkeley trio, matching stride for stride in the lead pack at the district championship at Largo Park, eventually relented, allowing Cathey to claim the individual title at 16 minutes, 34 seconds.

But Berkeley, placing four in the top 8, cruised to the team championship with 35 points - 63 fewer than second-place Shorecrest.

As one opposing coach said, "Berkeley is in a class of their own."

The Tampa Prep boys finished in seventh - one spot from clinching a spot in regionals, set for Nov. 3 at Taylor Park. The Tampa Prep girls, however, squeaked in for a sixth-place finish. The top 15 individuals also qualified.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

[Last modified October 29, 2006, 05:56:23]