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No running on empty

Once the sneakers are on, Nick Farrington doesn't lack for energy.

By BRETT KELMAN
Published February 23, 2007

LECANTO - As captain of Lecanto, which graduated 24 seniors last year, distance runner Nick Farrington could have his work cut out for him.

But he has a plan.

"I remember my freshman year. I saw my teammates succeed, and I got hungry for more," the senior said. "The key is to lead by example."

Maybe Farrington won't have to say anything. His numbers speak for themselves.

In the past two years, Farrington finished the half-mile run in two minutes, the 3,200 meters in 10 minutes and qualified for state with a 4:32 in the 1,600. When the cross country team qualified for state this year, Farrington was its highest finisher.

"He is like one of those Energizer bunnies. You wind him up and he will run forever," Panthers coach John Verhelst said.

According to Verhelst's recent research on the all-time best Panther performances, Farrington is the only one to make the top 10 in three events.

"It's just obvious that he wants it the most," Verhelst said.

At practice, Verhelst noted why Farrington stands out on a team with more than 50 athletes. The Panthers ran a drill where their sprinters try to catch their distance runners on the last stretch of a 300-meter run. Farrington shined.

"You want to catch him? Good luck. He won't let anybody beat him at anything," Verhelst laughed.

But last year Farrington did get beaten - by injuries. He had two stress fractures in his feet and a slew of blood blisters he would rather not relive this year.

Fortunately, he has another plan.

He urged both the track and cross country teams to play ultimate frisbee as a conditioning alternative.

"I've never been truly healthy all season," Farrington said. "Usually I come into the season injured from either overtraining or lack of training, but this year I'm healthy and plan to stay that way."

Fast Facts:

Citrus

Coach: Tom Darby, 38th year

Athletes to watch: Ray Acker, Sr. (shot put, discus); Jeremy Creel, Sr. (pole vault, 300 hurdles); Andrew Franklin, Sr. (triple jump, sprinter); David Green, So. (high jump, triple jump, hurdles); Brandon Hardy, So. (mile, 2 mile); Sean Radziercz, Sr. (long jump, sprinter, 400); Addison Rodriguez, Jr. (hurdles, triple jump); Dallas Rua, So. (pole vault); Antoine Scriven, So. (sprinter, high jump, long jump); Bryan Tobin, Sr. (sprinter, relay); Ethan Wagnon, soph (400, sprinter); David Waters, Jr. (hurdles); Bodee Wright, Sr. (pole vault)

Key losses: State qualifier Dane Moore (400)

Seven Rivers

Coach: Tim Bowman, first year

Athletes to watch: Shane Lecouris, Jr. (100, 4x100); Jonathan Woods, So. (800, mile, 4x100, long jump).

Key losses: None

Crystal River

Coach: Tim Byrne, sixth year

2006 finish: Second in district; qualified seven for state.

Athletes to watch: Kevin Spivey, Sr. (300 hurdles, 5th in state); Blair Beeler, Jr. (800, 3,200 relay, 8th in state.); Brennan McNally, Sr. (3,200 relay, 1,600, 7th in state)

Key losses: None

Lecanto

Coach: John Verhelst, first year

2006 finish: District 5 champs

Athletes to watch: Nick Farrington, Sr. (1,600, 3,200, 4x400 relay); Chris Lim, So. (100, long jump); Andrew Gilman, Jr. (200, long jump, discus)

Key losses: 24 seniors graduated

[Last modified February 22, 2007, 22:28:47]