Tracking North Suncoast's best

By Joey Knight and Izzy Gould, Times Staff Writers
Published February 18, 2008

Running a typical track meet requires the efforts of many - timers, announcers, scorekeepers, and lots of people toting tape measures. Stage one on paper, though, and all one really needs is some coaches' input, past results and a little foresight. We've opted for the latter. In track-meet format, here's a glimpse of the upcoming local season and some athletes to watch.

First Call - Field Events

Boys

Earon Hicks, Jr., Wesley Chapel - Defending SAC triple jump champion

Demetrious Larry, Sr., Pasco - State qualifier in high jump

Charlie Minichino, Sr., Ridgewood - SAC discus champ on brink of school record

John Karakaris, Sr., Ridgewood - Region qualifier in shot put

Girls

Jeani Ducos, Sr., Wesley Chapel - District champion in the shot put

Keari Brink, Sr., Ridgewood - Consistently vaults at 10 feet and higher

Emily Seda, Sr., Land O'Lakes - Won district in long jump

Jazmire Brown, So., Hernando - Won district title in triple jump

Second Call - Sprints

Boys

Godfrey Boyd, Sr., Wesley Chapel - Region qualifier in 400

Addidas Tolliver, Sr., Ridgewood - Edged Boyd to place third at districts

Josh Perkins, Sr., Zephyrhills - Region qualifier in 400; may run 100 and 200 in '08

Josh Browne, Jr., Wesley Chapel - Just missed qualifying for regionals in 400

Girls

Jasmine Pleasant, Sr., Wesley Chapel - Enters the season as the North Suncoast's fastest girl

Danielle Doucet, So., Nature Coast - Won district titles in the 100, 200 and 400

Renee Vaughns, So., Wesley Chapel - State qualifier in 400 and key relay runner

Kandice Watson, Fr., Wesley Chapel - Talented freshman expected to push the county's best

Third Call - Relays/Hurdles

Boys

Jeffrey Webster, Sr., Wesley Chapel: Region qualifier in both hurdles events

Jeremy Grunewald, Jr., Land O'Lakes: District runner-up in 300 hurdles

Pasco's 4x100: Tavaris Jordan, Sr.; Demetrious Larry, Sr.; Jerikus Dely, Sr.; Charles Williams, Sr.

Hernando's 4x800: Tyler Maier, Sr.; Joe Wright, Jr., David Worthington, So. (fourth leg undetermined)

Girls

Patience Shackley, Sr., Wesley Chapel: No argument, she is tops in the North Suncoast in hurdling

Pasco's 4x100: Sam Nicolini, Jr.; Savannah Hancock, Jr.; Tanesha Ranson, Sr.; Amber Ranson, Jr.

Springstead's 4x400: Cassandra Crisci, So.; Jennifer Draganchunk, So.; Taylor Tuomey, Jr.; Jacklyn White, So.

Wesley Chapel, 4x800: (one spot TBA); Shelby DeLoach, Sr.; Kirsten Fee, Sr.; Desiree Vizcaino, Sr.; Jessica Furst, So.; Megan Ross, Jr.

Final Call - Distance

Boys

Felix Soto, Jr., Land O'Lakes - Should be unchallenged locally in 1,600 and 3,200

Tyler Maier, Sr., Hernando - Recently signed with West Florida

Mason MacKenzie, So., Central - Region qualifier ran a 4:46 mile as freshman

Steven Landreth, Sr., Ridgewood - Pasco's top distance guy behind Soto

Girls

Leeann Eble, Jr., Pasco - Fought off heart problems, but has returned strong

Jessica Furst, So., Wesley Chapel - Idaho transfer who stood out in cross country

Ariel Grey, Fr., Wiregrass Ranch - Talented freshman with high endurance

Shelby DeLoach, Sr., Wesley Chapel - Won district title in 1,600 and placed second in 3,200

Order of Events

Some of the biggest meets of the year

Feb. 26: Mitchell Invitational,5 p.m.

Feb. 29: Chasco Invitational at Gulf, TBA

March 14: Lecanto Relays, 4 p.m.

March 14: Fast Times Invitational at Wesley Chapel, 2:30 p.m.

March 20: Suncoast Relays at Gulf, 3 p.m.

March 27: Kiwanis Invitational at Hernando, TBA

April 3: Hernando County Championships at Hernando, 1 p.m.

April 3: Sunshine Athletic Conference at Wesley Chapel, noon

April 7-19: District meets, TBA

April 16-25: Region meets, 11 a.m.

April 25: Class A meet, TBA

April 26: Class 2A meet, TBA

May 2: Class 3A meet, TBA

May 3: Class 4A meet, TBA

(All state meets to be held at Winter Park's Showalter Field.)

Medals Stand

Our guess at the top local boys and girls teams

Boys

Wesley Chapel

Though thin on distance runners, the Wildcats possess enough balance elsewhere to capture their sixth SAC title in seven years.

Also at the podium: Land O'Lakes, Ridgewood

Girls

Wesley Chapel

The Wildcats are loaded on top with plenty of filler to continue filling the trophy case.

Also at the podium: Pasco, Land O'Lakes

[Last modified February 17, 2008, 18:42:58]