Benton hopes to beat traffic, then record

By BOB PUTNAM

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 4, 2000

Christa Benton has won a state title in the 3,200 in track and two state titles in cross country, and she was the only high school girl runner from Florida to break 18 minutes at the national cross country championships in the fall.

Her three-year running career at Keswick Christian has been impressive. But Benton wants more. The junior hopes to win another state title in the 3,200 Friday during the Class A state tournament in Gainesville. And she doesn't want to just win the race; she wants to break the Class A state record of 11 minutes, 15 seconds set by Northside Christian's Brianne Harrington.

Benton already is on her way toward achieving that mark. She has run 11 minutes, 18 seconds, the fastest time among Class A competitors, four times during the season.

So what might be holding her back from her goal?

Traffic.

That was one of the main reasons she didn't win the 3,200 last season.

Heading up with her family for the state tournament, Benton was delayed from getting to the race because of an accident that tied up traffic on Interstate 75.

Crusaders coach Lance Lipham was able to get her hip numbers for the race and Benton sprinted out of the darkness minutes before the event began, unable to warm up.

"I told Christa, "What did you do? Run here,' " Lipham said.

Benton finished eighth.

To prevent such a problem, Lipham has a plan.

"I asked her mom to go up a day early," he said.

Alyssa Haigh didn't have that problem.

She already was in Gainesville last season for a choir competition and arrived for her events at the state tournament. Haigh took second in the discus.

This season, she has improved upon her numbers and is a favorite to win the event. She also has qualified for shot put and long jump.

At regionals last week, she placed first in the discus (129-4) and second in the shot put (33-3) and long jump (16-61/2). All were school records. Her throw in the discus is tops among Class A competitors.

The Crusaders also have qualified their 4x800 relay team for the first time in school history. The members are Mary Hodupp, Kendra Oliver, Jessica West and Lauren Suttel.

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