'Best region in state' is too close to call

The Lecanto girls and Citrus boys expect to give field a run for its money.

By KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 26, 2001

Track and field coaches can predict the outcome of district meets with some level of success, but that always isn't the case with regional events.

The competition is too tight.

"I never predict ... never," Citrus boys coach Tom Darby said. "When you get to this level, the competition is pretty even."

And pretty tough.

In today's Class 2A, Region 2 meet in Brooksville, many of Central Florida's best programs will be featured, including the Titusville Astronaut boys -- last year's state champion -- and 2000 girls state runner-up Orlando Jones.

"It's the best region in the state," Darby said.

The top local teams figure to be the Lecanto girls and Citrus boys, both of which won District 5 titles last week in convincing fashion. Based on seeding from district meet results, Lecanto would have to be considered one of the favorites to capture the girls crown, but it should be challenged by Cocoa Beach and Titusville Astronaut. In the boys competition, Citrus looks to have top-five capabilities, with Rockledge being the clear-cut favorite.

"We have a legitimate shot of placing well," Lecanto girls coach Freddie Bullock said. "They keep impressing me. My goal is to finish in the top five. You don't rule out Orlando Jones or anybody from the other coast."

Lecanto's top individual contenders are Kylene Colasanti (high jump, pole vault, 100-meter hurdles, 300 hurdles), Nicole Mailloux (800, 1,600), Kate Wheeler (high jump, triple jump, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles), Deidra Witherspoon (1,600, 3,200) and Liz Witherspoon (400).

Colasanti, Wheeler and Liz Witherspoon were state qualifiers last season. Wheeler was first in three individual events in the District 5 meet. Mailloux, a ninth-grader, won two championships.

"I get excited for regionals," Bullock said. "To me, the team thing is really over. Right now, the more who go to state the merrier. Now, it's all about them. My main thing is to try to get some kids to state at this point."

Myesha Hollis (long jump, triple jump, 100, 200), Cindy Herndon (pole vault) and Sally Lanigan (discus, shot put) of Citrus are the Hurricanes' top contenders to qualify for state. Hollis was first in District 5 in the 100, 200 and long jump, in which she set a personal best with a leap of 18 feet, 7 inches.

The Citrus boys are led by Mike Bass (400), Mike Brown (high jump), C.J. Bryant (800, 1,600), Jamal Galloway (long jump, triple jump), Tony Lyons (1,600, 3,200), Rick Miller (800) and John Rogers (discus, shot put). Among them, only Brant failed to win a District 5 individual title, and he was second in two events. Miller finished third at state last year in the 800, and Lyons was seventh in the 3,200. Bryant, a transfer from Seven Rivers Christian, was fifth in the 800 and 1,600 at the 2000 Class A meet.

"I'm pleased with all of them," Darby said. "They've all been working hard and are ready to go. We'll see how the chips fall."

Crystal River has a few contenders. Matt Hinman (shot put), William Milian (pole vault) and Jon Greaux (110 hurdles) have had solid seasons. Hinman was first in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championships, and Milian won the District 5 title for the second consecutive year after vaulting a career-best 12-0.

"The last two meets, (Milian's) starting to hit," Crystal River boys coach Norris Lightsey said. "He's been steady."

Also worth watching is the Pirates' 4x800 relay team of Duncan Mackie, Peter Manzoli, John McKeethan and Zachary Ezzell, which won the District 5 crown after setting a school record with a time of 8 minutes, 42 seconds.

Class 2A, region 2 track & field meet

WHEN: Today -- field events (1 p.m.), running prelims (4 p.m.), running finals (7 p.m.).

WHERE: Central.

ADMISSION: $5.

LOCAL BOYS: Citrus -- Mike Bass (400), Norman Bauer (discus), Adam Branson (pole vault), Mike Brown (high jump), C.J. Bryant (800, 1,600), Jamal Galloway (long jump, triple jump), Jeremy Hensley (discus), Tony Lyons (1,600, 3,200), Justin Macdonald (1,600), Rick Miller (800), John Rogers (discus, shot put), Kendrick Ross (high jump), Chester Wheeler (110 hurdles). Crystal River -- Zachary Ezzell (3,200), Jon Greaux (110 hurdles), Charles Harris (pole vault, 300 hurdles), Matt Hinman (shot put), Nate Madison (100), Duncan Mackie (400), Peter Manzoli (1,600), John McKeethan (800), William Milian (pole vault), George Neill (300 hurdles), Robert Thompson (shot put). Lecanto -- Shohn Joyner (800).

LOCAL GIRLS: Citrus -- Kendra Bostick (200), Danialle Coates (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles), Melissa Davis (100 hurdles), Cindy Herndon (pole vault), Myesha Hollis (long jump, triple jump, 100, 200), Sally Lanigan (discus, shot put), Shivella Rogers (800), Katie Steelfox (pole vault), Brittany Vitter (800). Crystal River -- Ieshia Natteal (200, 400), Jerrica Sawyer (high jump), Rebecca Thielemann (3,200). Lecanto -- Jill Bandhauer (shot put), Kylene Colasanti (high jump, pole vault, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles), Nicole Gasiorek (100, 400), Amanda Howard (1,600, 3,200), Allison Hughes (triple jump), Stacey Lowe (high jump), Nicole Mailloux (800, 1,600), Heather Pontius (triple jump), Annemarie Saxer (3,200), Deidra Witherspoon (1,600, 3,200), Liz Witherspoon (long jump, 400), Kate Wheeler (high jump, triple jump, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles).

MOVING ON: The first four place-winners and/or relay teams advance to next week's Florida Finals in Coral Springs. -- KEITH NIEBUHR

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