Gator, Wildcat boys tie; Rams girls take Chasco outright

By ERIC MUSKATEVC Times Correspondent
Published March 3, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - The thought crossed his mind, so Gulf coach Dean Lofton suggested it - through his megaphone.

Land O'Lakes coach Al Claggett and Wesley Chapel coach Brian Colding would have a 400-meter run off. After all, the two best athletes at the meet couldn't decide a winner at the Gulf Chasco Invitational on Friday night, why not try the coaches?

Both Dontarrius Thomas of the Gators and Ashton Lemon of the Wildcats were triple winners. Thomas in the high jump, long jump and 100 meters and Lemon in the 200, 400 and 4x100 relay. In the end, the teams tied with 163 points each without the run off.

On the girls side of the track, it was clear Ridgewood won.

"This is monumental," coach Sue Vien said. "It's been a three-year drought since we've beaten Wesley Chapel, let alone anybody."

The Wildcats continued to pour in winners like Desiree Vizcaino's come-from-behind win in the 800 meters, but the Rams scored better with depth and edged Wesley Chapel 161-154. Emily Seda took the 400 for the Gators, who finished third with 128.

The run of the night came from Lemon when the self-titled Fab-4 4x100 Wesley Chapel team weren't so fab heading into the final leg. Standing in fifth place before he got the baton, Lemon kicked into a gear no one else had, winning it on the back straight.

"Once I got up there, it was over," said Lemon.

The Land O'Lakes boys scored wins much like the Wildcat girls, including Tommy Spocks in the 800 meters, Felix Soto in the 1,600 and Tony White in pole vault. Ridgewood finished third with 121 points.

[Last modified March 3, 2007, 00:59:03]