Preps

Web exclusive: Rivalry plays out today

By Mike Camunas
Published September 29, 2007

Jesuit's Connor Revord isn't tired of seeing Sickles' Derek Wehunt in front of him.

Though he should be.

Revord always seems to play second fiddle to Wehunt, who was named the 2006 Times' runner of the year. And it was no different in the past two weekend meets - the Gator and FSU Invitationals - when Wehunt topped Revord by at least 11 seconds.

Revord could sulk. He could be frustrated or angry, but he's not.

He's got no problem with Wehunt.

In fact, the friendly rivals likely will be in the top pack of tonight's prestigious Southern Stars meet, which brings some of the state - and Southeast's - top talent for an 8:15 p.m. showdown under the lights at Ed Radice Park. The girls stars race is at 7:45.

"I'm not really tired of him because, well, he's good competition," Revord said. "He always helps my time and my effort, so I really can't complain."

At first glance, it would seem Wehunt dominates every meet he and Revord are in. Not true. Wehunt wins, but doesn't destroy Revord, and the Tigers junior has beaten his Gryphons foe this year.

On Aug. 24 at the Sunset 5K at Ed Radice Park, Revord edged Wehunt 16:06 to 16:09.

"It's always a battle, because it's never anyone's race from the start," Revord said. "Both of our teams are really good, and it's always a battle between Sickles and Jesuit. It's that way all the time, especially between Derek and I."

Wehunt not only respects Revord, but credits Revord for making himself a good runner.

"My freshman year, I saw Connor run and I go, 'Wow, he's a just a freshman, as well,' " Wehunt said. "Honestly, I don't think I'd be here or where I'm at if it wasn't for him. "He's always the guy I've worked up to, and so he's really helped me improve myself, not only on the course, but between races."

Tigers coach Greg Maurin says Revord is indispensable to his team.

"Connor doesn't say a whole lot," said Maurin, who is in his first year at the helm after a 10-year stint as an assistant. "Not a big talker, but sure is a doer. He leads by performance, and he's a role model for all our runners.

"He may be an awfully quiet junior, but in many ways he's the heart and soul of this team."

Maurin knows long-distance running, realizes the competitiveness of its athletes. He also knows Revord wants to win, but needs Wehunt.

"I'm sure he wants to finish ahead of him in the end," Maurin said. "But in this sport, competitors have a lot of respect for each other. There's friendship and camaraderie, but you can see how much (Revord and Wehunt) push each other."

Bottom line is, given the chance, Revord wouldn't take Wehunt out of his way.

That would simply be too easy.

"It'd be great to get all the glory all the time," Revord said. "But it's not like that. I hope to run in college some day, and there's definitely going to be competition there, so I have to get used to it. That's just the way it is."

[Last modified September 28, 2007, 19:00:26]