District breakdowns

By Bob Putnam
Published March 8, 2007

Class 4A, District 5

Teams: Alonso, Countryside, East Lake, Largo, Mitchell, Palm Harbor University, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Sickles

Outlook: The Hurricanes have some balance with sprinter Madison McNary (100 and 200 meters) and middle-distance runner Laura Levin (800). Christine Saylor, the county's best mark pole vaulter last season, is the Green Devils' top returner. East Lake's Katherine McMeekin and PHU's Stephanie Boyd will battle in the 3,200.

Class 3A, District 9

Teams: Blake, Clearwater, Dunedin, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Leto, Plant, Tarpon Springs

Outlook: The Spongers' Kailand Cosgrove, the Times all-county girls cross country runner of the year, is a state contender in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Class 3A, District 11

Teams: Boca Ciega, Dixie Hollins, Gibbs, Lakewood, Northeast, Osceola, Seminole

Outlook: Lakewood's Jazmyn Shorter, the defending state champion in the 400 meters, is in a class by herself. Seminole's Janita Truitt is the county's top returner in the long and triple jumps. Boca Ciega's Brooks is a threat in the 800.

Class 2A, District 11

Teams: Bradenton Braden River, Clearwater Central Catholic, DeSoto County, Englewood Lemon Bay, Lennard, Newsome, St. Petersburg Catholic, Spoto, Wauchula Hardee

Outlook: CCC has two strong runners in Alicen Livingston (400) and Zoe Lombard (100).

Class A, District 9

Teams: Bayshore Christian, Bishop McLaughlin, Calvary Christian, Cambridge, Indian Rocks Christian, Northside Christian, Seven Rivers Christian, Tampa Baptist, Tampa Prep

Outlook: IRC lost long-distance specialist Melissa Kotchman to graduation. But the Golden Eagles are still doing well, thanks to freshman Victoria Avery, who finished fourth in the 100 and second in the 200 at the Calvary Christian Invitational last week.

Class A, District 11

Teams: Admiral Farragut, Bradenton Christian, Bradenton St. Stephen's, Keswick Christian, Sarasota Christian, Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy, Shorecrest Prep

Outlook: Shorecrest has the depth to dominate with Casey Evans (pole vault), Samantha Specht (400, triple jump) and Pavendeep Birk (800). The Chargers' biggest challenge likely will come from Keswick, which is strong in the field events with Laura Hodupp (shot put, discus) and Sarah Nunnally (discus).

[Last modified March 8, 2007, 00:21:48]