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Christa Benton won every race she ran on the way to her third consecutive state title.
By PETE YOUNG
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 30, 2000
It is one thing she has never had to worry about -- being ordinary.
From the day she began running competitively in eighth grade, it was apparent Christa Benton was special.
Now a senior, Benton was invincible this year, capturing her third consecutive state title and winning every race she entered.
What if, however, she was average? What if Benton was your run-of-the-mill high school runner, maybe No. 6 or 7 for the Crusaders this year, scrapping just to be on the varsity. Would she train as hard and compete as hard? Would she run at all?
Absolutely. Benton loves this sport like kids love cartoons.
"Definitely. I'd still enjoy running," Benton said. It's her love, her passion for running -- combined with a competitive surge that belies her elfin 5-foot-2 frame and, of course, natural ability -- that has catapulted Benton to the forefront of the national prep running scene.
Her extraordinary willpower drives her to set personal bests when she is finishing ridiculously far ahead of the field. It's what drives her to run faster when she is already going obscenely fast.
This season, Benton's 16-minute, 55-second clocking at the region meet was the fastest ever for 3 miles by a Florida girl and is one of the 10 fastest times in the country, according to dyestat.com, a national prep running Web site.
As good as she is, Benton is no one-trick pony. She is proficient at many musical instruments and specializes in the oboe. She is ranked third academically in a class of 45. And the most important thing in her life is her faith in God.
"The Lord's given me a gift," said the ever humble and understated Benton. "I'm a Christian, and the Lord's just a part of my life because I have the Holy Spirit in me."
Keswick coach Lance Lipham has marveled at Benton's running prowess and the respect she is accorded by her classmates.
"The seniors, the football players, everyone, they just really admire her," Lipham said.
"She is such a positive role model with her humility, and the whole school really looks up to her."
While the cross country season is complete for almost everyone, Benton has one more race -- for all the marbles. On Dec. 9 in Orlando, Benton will compete in the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships National Finals.
Saturday, using her trademark bolt-to-the-front, try-to-catch-me style, Benton captured the Foot Locker South Regional, running the 5K (3.1 mile) course at McAlpine Park in Charlotte, N.C., in 17:56 to win by seven seconds.
The race was contested in 37 degree weather, rain and gusting winds, but the Sunshine State native was undeterred. A photo on dyestat.com shows a bundled-up Benton already 20 yards clear of the field at the 1-mile mark.
"I try to get a lead," Benton said. "I just always have gone out fast."
Last year, after finishing sixth in the regional, Benton placed 25th out of 32 runners in the national meet. The goal for this year was to qualify again and then place in the top 10.
Benton has improved this year by an average of about 25 seconds on the courses she has run, which Lipham thinks projects her into the top 10 nationally.
"She was only 23 seconds out of 10th place, and basically, she's improved that amount or more," Lipham said. "I really think she'll run with that lead pack for a long time, and that's the exciting part. She'll be with them. She has the stamina to be able to do that.
"What's going to happen at the end of the race? I don't know. But that's why I'm looking forward to being there."
AGE: 16. YEAR: Senior.
FAVORITE FOOD: Spaghetti.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Funniest Home Videos.
FAVORITE COURSE: Besides her home course at Lake Seminole Park, it's McAlpine Park in Charlotte, N.C.
FAVORITE ATHLETE: Stephanie Jacob (Jacob won the 2-mile state title in track in 1997 for Keswick Christian).
FAVORITE SUBJECT: Science (anatomy and physiology).
FAVORITE SPORT: Besides running, it's soccer and basketball.
COLLEGE CHOICE: Undecided. South Florida and Florida State are possibilities.
MAJOR: Music will be part of a likely double major.