Sports
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Hillsborough track: Running out of this world
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Published February 18, 2008
TAMPA
For a few reasons, Derek Wehunt's mind often travels miles further than any distance he treks during track workouts.
The Sickles junior distance runner has developed a passion for astronomy since he was young. He loves discussing atoms, reads books such as Death by Black Hole for fun and has plastered a poster of Albert Einstein on his bedroom wall.
"My room is kind of nerdy," Wehunt said with a grin.
Runners can be, by nature, deep thinkers.
While Plant senior Duncan Hock digs philosophy, Wehunt dives into astrophysics the way he tackles a tempo run. And judging by the recruiting letters he's receiving from Brown University, Wehunt holds his own at both.
The shaggy-haired standout is one of the bay area's best in the 1,600 4 minutes, 18 seconds and 3,200 (9:28). Along with older brother Dan, a Gryphons senior, he makes any distance relay team formidable.
One key to success lies in a special motivation, a mental toughness forged through his family's adversity. Wehunt said his father, Gary, died of kidney failure before the brothers finished middle school. For a while, his dad spent more time in the hospital than at home. Then, a couple of years later, Wehunt's mother, Dianne, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"We were all freaking out," he said.
Wehunt is proud to say that "everything is okay" with his mother's health - but he is just as proud of his late father, a former high school quarterback whom he connects with on runs.
"Every time I race," Wehunt said. "I'm like, 'This one is for you, Dad.'"
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (813) 310-9024.
Fab Five Boys
1. Plant
The Panthers boast a strong sprinting squad, led by senior Lovell Jackson, and a distance group that finished among the top five in the state in cross country.
2. Chamberlain
The Chiefs get a huge boost from star sprinter Dentarius Locke, a transfer from Riverview who was the 2007 Times track athlete of the year.
3. Wharton
The defending county champion lost some key pieces but will be up there again.
4. Hillsborough
The Terriers lost a couple of key members from stellar relays, but led by Terrance Mitchell (region champion in the triple jump), they will be tough to top.
5. Jesuit
Distance runners Connor Revord and Jordan Schilit will be major point producers for the Tigers.
Fab Five Girls
1. Wharton
The defending county champion blends a strong distance crew, led by the Skinner sisters, and solid field events.
2. Gaither
The Cowboys boast one of the county's most versatile teams, with returning region powers in hurdles and jumps.
3. Plant
The Panthers are strong in distance and could surprise this year.
4. Sickles
Bianca Morrison is one of the best jumpers in the county.
5. Chamberlain
Natalie Lee (triple jumper, sprints) and Colette Santana (800 and 1,600) will be counted on for the Chiefs.
Three story lines
Who has moved?
With junior star sprinter Dentarius Locke transferring from Riverview to Chamberlain (because of his father's move), it will be interesting to see if the former Sharks record-holder can repeat his three medals at last year's state meet.
Who's missing?
Gaither's Jarvis Giles burst on the scene last year to take fourth in the state in the 100 meters. Others missing this season are Brandon senior distance standout Drew Woodke and Plant senior Brigithe Moreno, both attributed to, in part, burnout.
Shook out
The Steak n Shake Invitational, one of the state's top meets that brought top talent to the county, will not be run this year in part because of a scheduling conflict with one of the county's mandatory meets.
Key meets
Nash Higgins
March 1 at Leto (all day)
Charles Johnson Invitational
March 8 at King (8 a.m.)
Western Conference Championship
April 1 at Jefferson(3 p.m.)
District meets
April 7-12 (1A, 2A), April 14-19 (3A, 4A)
Region meets
April 16-18 (1A, 2A), April 23-25 (3A, 4A)
State meet
April 25 (1A), April 26 (2A), May 2 (3A), May 3 (4A), all at Showalter Field in Winter Park
Others to watch
Girls
Andrea Bridges, Tampa Bay Tech, Sr., Extremely versatile, can do everything from hurdles and jumps to sprints, making the Titans a sleeper team.
Yesenia Perez, Gaither, Jr., Defending region champ in 300-meter hurdles, combines with junior Morgan Scherschel (region champ in pole vault) for Cowboys’ stellar field events crew.
Ashley Wright, Hillsborough, Sr., A force in the pole vault and shot put in region 3A.
Tanesha Maxwell, Tampa Bay Tech, So., Won county and region titles in 100 meters last season.
Kaitlin Ostroski, Plant, Sr., High jumper might battle through a torn ACL and joins fellow jumper Julianne Morgan (3A region champ at 5-2).
Katrina Skinner, Wharton, Sr., State runnerup in the 1, 600 will team with sister Kathia to make any distance relay team tough to beat.
Others to watch
Boys
Montrael Albury, Riverview, Sr., Took fifth at the Class 4A meet in the triple jump last year (46-1.5).
Lovell Jackson, Plant, Sr., Motivated after a controversial disqualification at regions last year. His 4x100-meter relay team will have a few new faces, including former Gaither sprinter Alan Sampson.
Keyon Jones, Wharton, Sr., Paces the Wildcats with his prowess in sprints and jumps.
Connor Revord, Jesuit, Jr., The stocky standout was runnerup last year in the 1, 600 (4:17.09).
Richard Blake, Berkeley Prep, Sr., One of the county’s most consistent runners during cross-country season.
Mark Williams, Hillsborough, Sr., The middle-distance standout is receiving interest from schools such as FAMU.
[Last modified February 17, 2008, 20:44:13]
Share your thoughts on this story
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Letter to the editor
