Cross Country Athletes of the Year

Best of the Best

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published December 14, 2006

Derek Wehunt, Sickles, Sophomore

Why We Picked Him: Despite struggling down the stretch, Wehunt was clearly the county's top runner in the regular season. He sandwiched impressive wins at the Gator Invitational and Gasparilla County Cup with the county's best time (15:56.27) at the elite flrunners.com Invitational in late September. In the postseason, Wehunt won the Class 4A, District 4 meet, and helped lead the Gryphons to their second consecutive region title. His seventh-place region effort, however, was an initial sign of his late-season fatigue and, perhaps, mounting pressure to lead Sickles to state glory. A week later, he finished 21st at the 4A meet.

Most Impressive Accomplishment: Wehunt's time at the flrunners.com Invitational was a personal best, good enough for 12th place in the Boys Race of Champions - the most elite race of the event.

College Plans: None yet. Wehunt still has two high school seasons remaining. With three of their top five runners returning, the Gryphons should be a force again in 2007.

Did You Know: Wehunt is the only member of his team still sporting the bleach-blond-hair look adopted by the team in early November. As a gesture of team unity, the Gryphons dyed their hair days before the state meet.

First Team

Derek Wehunt, Sickles, So.: County's most consistent runner in regular season.

Ciprian Mejia, Sickles, Jr.: Led Gryphons to region title with third-place finish.

Baker Burchfield, Wharton, Sr.: His fourth-place effort at state (16:28) was best in county.

Richard Blake, Berkeley Prep, Jr.: fifth at Class A meet; led Bucs to fourth-place finish.

Connor Revord, Jesuit, So.: Won 2A district and region titles.

Second Team

Javier Beuzeville, Freedom, Sr.

Mark Woodke, Brandon, Jr.

Tyler Greathouse, Berkeley Prep, Fr.

Eric Bracy, Jesuit, Sr.

Duncan Hock, Plant, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Berkeley Prep - Robert Livingston

Chamberlain - Mark Parrish

Durant - Kevin Jones, John Mitchell

Jesuit - Matt Hindman, Jordan Schilit, Matt Tucker

Plant - Devin Patterson

Robinson - Matt Altimari, Cody Hill

Sickles - Kyle Kraft, Dan Wehunt

Tampa Prep - Aaron Koch

Wharton - Pedro Carela, David Vasquez

Coach of the Year

Eileen Daly, Berkeley Prep

[Last modified December 14, 2006, 01:58:31]