Preps

Gators' Soto sets aside pain in SAC cross country win

By MIKE CAMUNAS, Times Staff Writer
Published October 20, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Land O'Lakes junior Felix Soto took days off, but it paid off as he took his second straight Sunshine Athletic Conference title Friday morning at Starkey Wilderness Park.

Soto said he had been battling a thigh injury, then rolled his left ankle during soccer.

"I don't know what I did, but I heard about six pops," Soto said. "I was hoping for a low 16 (time). It was difficult to run today because it hurt, but when you run you have to push through some things to win."

Soto edged Ridgewood senior Steven Landreth by nine seconds, 16:56 to 17:05, and the Gators took the boys title with 42 points. Mitchell came in second with 55 and Ridgewood third with 71. Land O'Lakes had three top-5 finishes: Soto, senior Jake Proudfoot (17:49, fourth) and sophomore Matt Schwartz (18:07, fifth).

"I knew the worst part for (Soto) on this course was going to be at the start," Gators coach Kris Keppel said. "I was worried about him turning his ankle again - there's holes out here."

For the girls, Wiregrass Ranch freshman Ariel Grey cruised to her first SAC title and Gulf easily took the team title with 40 points. The Bulls were second (72), while Wesley Chapel was third (87).

The Bucs had their five runners finish in the top 20 and their top three runners finished third through fifth: senior Jaci Pustelnik (21:17), junior Brittine Bennett (21:20) and senior Courtney McAuliffe (21:31). Friday was the first time since 2004 Gulf won an SAC title.

"Wesley Chapel edged us out (in 2005 and 2006), so it's good to get it back," Bucs coach Dean Lofton said. "We couldn't believe (how we finished). It was unbelievable how they ran today. They really stood up and faced the competition."

Grey finished at 20:51, beating out Wesley Chapel sophomore Jessica Furst by 15 seconds. Grey said the win was satisfying despite the absence of usual frontrunner, Pasco junior Leeann Eble, who is out for the season after severely spraining her ankle in club soccer.

"This feels really good because I never thought I could do this well as a freshman," Grey said. "I'm happy I'm in the top 5 in most races, and our second-year cross country team - we're doing really well right now."

[Last modified October 19, 2007, 21:15:59]