Catch him if you can

Though he is short in stature at 5 feet, 7 inches, River Ridge's Richard Eagly possesses a kick in the 400 meters that blows away most of his competition.

By JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 27, 2000

NEW PORT RICHEY -- River Ridge's Richard Eagly approaches the starting line and knows his slender 5-foot-7 frame doesn't look like much of a threat to the other taller, lankier runners.

Then again, he doesn't want to look like a threat.

But when they come around the final turn of the 400 meters, when the competitors hit that last gear for the critical 100 meters to the finish line, that's when Eagly strikes.

His small, quick stride picks up speed; Eagly throws his body into a higher gear than the other runners with their typical, longer strides are capable of. Then he starts his race to the finish line and lays his claim for first place.

Usually when he passes a runner, he'll hear opponents mutter their surprise under their tired breath, or something unprintable.

Eagly enjoys stumping opponents almost as much as he enjoys winning. Especially at today's Class 4A, District 5 meet at East Lake Stadium.

"It's a great feeling," the 16-year-old junior said. "I know when they see me, when they see how small my legs are, how short my stride is, they don't think I can beat them. Then we get into it in the race, and then when I get to that last 100 meters, I let them have it.

"All these runners who have longer legs and longer strides than I do don't think I can beat them, but I can. That's what I like so much about it."

Eagly does more than just run for the Royal Knights, though. Boys coach Brian Colding said Eagly has shown the leadership a young team with few experienced seniors needs.

"I've got a couple of seniors, but Eagly's the one who has really stepped it up," Colding said. "He has been such a leader for us out here. A lot of the guys here are new to track and field, they aren't sure about what to do or how to carry themselves.

"Rich shows them the way. He shows them how it's done."

Eagly showed Pasco County how it's done at the Sunshine Athletic Conference meet.

He helped the Royal Knights' 4x100 relay team of Bobby Blasewitz, John Lambert and John Gilmore to first place with a time of 44.17.

In the 4x400, River Ridge took second in 3:39, thanks to Eagly, Reggie Moise, Andrew Marsella and Chris Hloska.

In the 400, Eagly took second in 52.19.

Eagly earned three All-SAC honors at the conference meet, which makes him one of the Royal Knights' leading contenders to reach the state meet.

"Everybody looks up to him," assistant coach John Walters said. "He's always working hard, he never gives up."

Eagly's advantage is a combination of strength, stamina and speed, which helps him overcome whatever disadvantage a shorter stride might provide. To Eagly, he's just one of those born runners.

"I like it," he said, "and I like to win, I like to beat people. I like to show them what I can do, that they shouldn't judge me because of how tall I am or short my stride is.

"Then again, they can do it if they want. Because I'm going to do everything I can to beat them.

"If I surprise them, then it's even better."

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