Do a little dance, win a few 5Ks

Triathlete. Singer. Choreographer. State champion? Kailand Cosgrove is in the hunt.

By JOE SMITH
Published November 9, 2006

FORT MYERS - Kailand Cosgrove blushes, her Pippi Longstocking-like ponytails flapping in the wind.

The Tarpon Springs sophomore, having just cruised to a region title Saturday morning, embraces admirers with an "aw-shucks" attitude.

"You're my hero," one opposing runner said. "Wow."

Cosgrove, a competitive triathlete, shrugs off her spectacular rookie season, one in which she has claimed district and region titles and is a contender to complete the sweep Saturday at the state meet in Dade City.

"It's been so unexpected," said Cosgrove, who has clocked the county's top time 18 minutes, 34 seconds. "It's cool, though."

With Cosgrove, it's all about expecting the unexpected.

She's surfer meets show choir singer. She's perfectionist meets beach bum.

She's Tarpon Springs' Ms. Everything.

"Kailand is in a league of her own," coach Jim Long said. "I don't know how she does it."

Cosgrove does it all. She would compete in swim meets (the 200 and 500 free) before winning cross country races the same day.

Cosgrove, who is ranked No. 17 nationally in her age group by USA Triathlon, spends her "off" days running 5 to 6 miles, then swimming a mile or 2.

Then it's time for her forte - cycling.

"Triathlons have always been my thing," Cosgrove said. "But I'm getting into running, too."

On Saturday, Cosgrove went from running by day to dancing at night in a performance for a local show choir. The group sings show tunes, choreographing moves to songs like I Will Survive.

"I like dancing a lot," Cosgrove said. "Singing, well, I'm okay."

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

[Last modified November 9, 2006, 00:33:45]