The Torch Passes
Jana Stolting, May 8, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
Though the 3A State Championship Meet took place on Friday and results were up within hours of the completion of the 4x400m, I have been putting off typing this Stoltz Report, as it is the last Stoltz Report I will have the privilege of writing. The show must go on, however, and Tallahassee’s 3A superstars certainly gave me plenty to write about in this finale.
On the girls’ side, Chiles made quite a STATEment (sorry, I couldn’t resist), placing fourth overall. Haley Watts tied for second in the pole vault, bringing away seven points with her height of 11-00.00. The 4x100m relay team took fifth place, with a time of 48.61. In the distance events, Lily Williams dominated, taking first in both the 1600m (4:58.56) and the 3200m (11:11.46). Her teammate, Carly Thomas, finished eighth in the 1600m (5:14.78) and fifth in the 3200m (11:22.77). All in all, it was a highly successful day for the Lady Timberwolves.
The male Timberwolves did not fair quite as well as their female counterparts, but they still had some strong performances in the throws to land them in twentieth place overall. Stargell Williams placed fourth in the discus throw (161-03) and third in the shot put (52-03.75). The top finishing local team was Leon, which took home fifth place. The Lions were led by distance standout, Matt Mizereck, who completed his high school career by winning both the 1600m (4:15.13) and the 3200m (9:18.76). Teammate, Riley Doherty, finished fifth in the 3200m, with a time of 9:28.98. For Lincoln’s boys, who finished tenth overall, it was all about the relays. Their 4x400m team ran a blazing 3:17.53 to earn fourth place in one of the fastest 4x400m races in Florida this year. The Trojan’s also broke their school record in the 4x800m (for the third time this season!), running a stellar time of 7:58.35 and taking third place.
It has been a great week to be a fan of track and field in the Big Bend. Once again, our athletes have brought pride and recognition to the Tallahassee area. I know that I am happy to conclude my reporting on such a high note, and I also know there will be many more high notes in the future of Tallahassee cross country and track. Luckily, these shining moments will not go unrecognized in my absence. Soon, I will be naming my successor, and passing the Stoltz Report on to the next generation. I thank David Yon and Fred Deckert for giving me this opportunity, and the entire Tallahassee running community for actually reading my mindless musings. Next year, I too will become a reader, and I cannot wait to see what golden (hint hint) touches the new author adds.
Editor's Note
So this is my first time being sad posting Jana's column as it is her last as our special high school correspondent. She has been terrific. While she is winding up her high school career she is off to college in San Francisco and I am counting on hearing from her now and again with more great Stoltzing! All the best, Jana and thanks for all the great writing (and running)!
Telling the Story of a Winner
Jana Stolting, May 1, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
Mother Nature did not smile upon Tallahassee this past Friday. Severe rain forced meet officials to halt the 3A Region 1 Meet and postpone the remaining events until Monday. I hear there were some strong performances (word on the street is Leon’s Matt Mizereck ran a solo 4:11 1600m!), but the full story will be out next Stoltz Report, along with the scoop on the 3A State Meet.
The weather in Winter Park, on the other hand, was beautiful (if a little on the hot side) for both the 1A and 2A State Meets. The 1A competition took place on Friday. I am pleased to announce that Maclay faired quite well, with the Marauder men winning the overall team title and the girls coming in fourth. Lee Williams led the boys, earning 34 points with his third place long jump (23-02.50), first place triple jump (47-04.00), first place 100m dash (10.99), and second place 200m dash (22.32). Other top male performers included a sick Patrick Swain, who ignored his fever and cough to gut out the dreaded triple. He anchored the second place 4x800m team (8:11.28) and finished third in both the 1600m (4:28.16) and 3200m (9:56.01). Scott Billings ran the first leg of the 4x800, took fifth in the 800m (2:01.07), and ran a leg of the sixth place 4x400m relay (3:30.76). The Marauder women also ran some impressive triples. Stefanie Kurgatt anchored the first place 4x800m relay team (9:27.01), took fifth in the 1600m (5:04.13), and won the 800m (2:14.99). Jana Stolting ran a leg of the 4x800 and took third in both the 1600m (4:58.02) and 3200m (10:44.38).
On Saturday, Godby’s boys proved, once again, that they are true champions. The Cougars took home the overall title in quite a dominant fashion, besting their closest competitor by thirty-three points. Top performers included Brandon Hollifield (second in the high jump with 6-08.00), Lavorrie Johnson (first in the long jump with 23-02.00 and fourth in the 200m in 21.77), Terrell Bryant (first in the 800m in 1:54.93), and Dieumy Duclos, who took eighth in the 1600m (4:28.24) and seventh in the 3200m (10:02.77). The Cougar women finished fifteenth. Their top performer was Christine Poole, who took sixth in the 200m (25.20) and fifth in the 400m (56.94).
Florida High’s girls took home fourth place overall, bolstered by strong performances in the sprints and relays. Elizabeth Ichite finished seventh in the 200m (25.38) and second in the 400m (55.19). Ana Detorres took second in the 300m hurdles (behind Rickards athlete Brittany Jones) in 44.24. Both girls were also legs of the second place 4x400m relay team, which ran a blazing time of 3:56.32.
Overall, the Big Bend took home plenty of hardware from Winter Park. As I was unpacking, however, I realized that I had taken home much more than a few medals. When I look back, I will not define my high school career by a time on the clock or a spot on the podium, I will define it by the connections I have made both with my teammates and the entire Tallahassee running community. This place and these people have become a part of me, and I know their influence will continue to be a strong force in my life, even from across the country. They say you should always focus straight ahead in a race, but no matter how far I leave this place behind me, I will always remember that sometimes it’s okay to look back.
Next-to-Last Step - On the Way to State
Jana Stolting, April 24, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
This past week marked the beginning of District competition for local 3A athletes and the last hurdle (pun intended) before State for 1A and 2A tracksters. When the dust had cleared, the Big Bend emerged, once again, as a force to be reckoned with.
On Tuesday, Chiles, Leon, and Lincoln competed in the 3A District 2 Meet. On the boys’ side, Lincoln finished second overall, Chiles third, and Leon fifth. Top performances included Lincoln’s Adrian Fooshe (second in the 400m in 51.38), Taylor Buzzard, of Chiles, who finished fourth in the 800m in 2:02.32 and third in the 1600m in 4:28.54, Leon’s Matt Mizereck (first in the 1600m in 4:15.12 and first in the 3200m in 9:17.12), and Lincoln’s 4x400m and 4x800m relay teams, who both finished second in times of 3:25.67 and 8:02.87 respectively.
Chiles dominated the girls’ competition. They were led by Ashton Gallaher (first in the 100m in 12.55 and second in the triple jump with 31-10.75), Lily Williams (first in the 800m in 2:22.90, first in the 1600m in 5:08.48, and second in the 3200m in 11:41.62), and Meisha Holton (second in the 100m hurdles in 15.03 and second in the 300m hurdles in 47.08). Lincoln’s girls finished fifth overall, bolstered by strong performances from Raven Diggs (first in the 200m in 26.44 and first in the 400m in 59.28) and Kendall Parker (second in the 400m in 59.92). Leon’s girls placed sixth.
On Friday, local 1A and 2A teams made the trek to Bolles High School, in Jacksonville, for a combined 1A-2A Region 1 Meet. Maclay’s boys destroyed the 1A competition by almost ninety points. Their top scoring athlete was sophomore sensation, Lee Williams, who took third in the long jump in 21-09.00, first in the triple jump in 45-07.00, first in the 100m in 10.97, and first in the 200m in 22.54. Patrick Swain took top spot in the 1600 and 3200. Maclay’s girls placed second overall, joining their male teammates in advancing numerous Marauders to State. They grabbed the top three spots in the 1600 and the top two spots in the 3200.
In 2A competition, Florida High’s girls placed second and their boys took fourteenth. Godby’s girls finished fifth and their boys asserted their dominance, once again, taking the top spot. Rickards placed tenth among the girls and fourteenth among the guys. Highlights of the meet included Florida High’s boys’ 4x800m squad, squeaking out a fourth place finish (in 8:24.21), fellow female Seminole, Elizabeth Ichite taking second in the 400m in 55.95, Rickards hurdler, Brittany Jones taking third in the 300m hurdles in 44.85, and a fight to the finish in the girls’ 4x400m between Florida High and Godby, with Florida High prevailing in 4:00.07 to Godby’s 4:02.57.
The end is near for the Big Bend’s best. This coming weekend, Winter Park will play host to the 1A State Championship on Friday and the 2A State Championship on Saturday. On top of that, 3A Regional competition will begin. So much happening in such a short span of time! The quickness of the post season calendar is rivaled only by the swiftness of the competition. And the competition is chomping at the bit, ready charge around that ring of fire, and into history.
District Meets
Jana Stolting, April 18, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
Last week marked the beginning of post season competition for local 1A and 2A schools. With the 2A District 2 meet on Tuesday and the 1A District 3 meet on Friday, it was a busy week for Tallahassee trackies.
On Tuesday, Florida High, Rickards, and Godby were the Big Bend’s representatives for the 2A District 2 meet. Though the internet seems to have swallowed the overall team scores (and I am too lazy to add up all the points), it is still safe to say these three schools did quite well for themselves. On the girls’ side, the sprints were dominated by Godby athletes, with Sharzay Thomas winning the 100m in 12.74 and Christine Poole winning both the 200m (25.07) and 400m (56.25). Florida High was right on Godby’s heels though, with Elizabeth Ichite taking second in both the 200m (25.55) and 400m (56.28) and Marrhea Everheart coming in third in the 200m (26.62) and 400m (59.29). Florida High went on to take all four qualifying spots in the 800m, with a sweep consisting of Marissa Sheals (2:32.61), Allison Murray (2:33.71), Sydney Earp (2:34.18), and Tifara Clark (2:38.73). Where Godby took the sprints, and Florida High dominated distance, Rickards found its niche in the hurdles. Haley Austin won the 100m hurdles in 14.56 and Brittany Jones claimed first in the 300m hurdles in 44.52. In relay news, Florida High took the top spot in the 4x400m with an impressive time of 4:02.89. They were followed by Godby, claiming second in 4:10.43.
On the boys’ side, though the overall results are missing, it is safe to say Godby took the win. The Cougars were led by a mix of distance junkies and sprinters. Lavorrie Johnson took second in both the 100m (10.91) and the 200m (21.88), Bertran Brinson won the 400m in 52.55, Terrell Bryant won the 800m in 1:58.40, and Dieumy Duclos pulled off the double victory in both the 1600m (4:33.23) and the 3200m (10:09.35). Other notable athletes of the day included Trey Edwards, of Florida High, who finished second in both the 800m (2:02.18) and the 1600m (4:34.58) and his teammate, Robert Abellera, who took third in the 1600m (4:54.10) and second in the 3200m (10:44.74).
The 1A District Meet on Saturday proved a little thinner, in terms of competition. Maclay’s boys easily took the overall win and the girls were runner-up and only one point out of first. Notable athletes included Maclay’s Lee Williams (first in both the 100m in 11.16 and the 200m in 22.77), Lincoln Lewis (first in the 400m in 51.92), and Stefanie Kurgatt (first in the 800m in 2:19.48).
With District competition wrapped up for the small schools, the all-mighty State Meet is drawing ever-closer. Before that dream becomes a reality, however, one more obstacle lies in the way: the Region Meet. Hosted by Bolles, it will take place this Friday. In the meantime, local 3A schools will have their District Meet on Tuesday. So many meets and so little time until State! What an exciting time to be involved with Tallahassee track and field!
Blazing on the West Coast
Jana Stolting, April 12, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
On the other side of the country (California) at the prestigious Arcadia Meet, Leon’s Matt Mizereck was part of a record breaking show as he blazed to a fourth place finish in the 3200m in an astounding time of 8:55.75! This is a school and county record, the fifth fastest time ever run by a Floridian, and the fourth fastest time in the nation this year! Exclamation points to you, Matt!!!! The 3200 had an amazing 16 runners break 9:00 minutes, beating the previous record of 11. It took an 8:49.76 (byJake Hurysz) to win the event. As the winner said "If you want to run fast, come to this [Arcadia] meet."
Back home last week, Chiles high school played host to two different meets: the City Championship and the Chiles Capital City Classic. Despite the apparently “enhanced” atmosphere, the City Championship was largely lackluster. Godby ran away with the boys’ victory (no pun intended), and Florida High dominated the girls’ side.
On Saturday, local athletes laced up their spikes again for what proved to be a much more impressive meet, performance-wise. On the boys’ side, the top finishing local team was Chiles, in third. They were led by Taylor Buzzard (4:32.98 for third in the 1600m and 2:03.40 for fourth in the 800m), Brandon Lingerfelt (4:36.44 for fourth in the 1600m and 10:12.22 for third in the 3200m), Winston Ogletree (third in the 300m hurdles in 40.98), and Stargell Williams (first in the shot put with 50-08.75 and second in the discus with 156-04). Leon’s boys took fourth and Lincoln came in sixth. Other performances of note included Leon Lion, Riley Doherty’s, distance double (second in the 1600m in 4:31.15 and first in the 3200m in 9:59.91) and Lincoln Trojan, Adrian Foushe’s, fourth place performance in the 400m (in 50.40).
On the girls’ side, Chiles took the win, with Lincoln in third and Leon in fifth. The Timberwolves were led by Lily Williams (first in the 1600m in 5:03.55 and first in the 800m in 2:19.60), Kendall Andrews (second in the 1600m in 5:31.89 and fourth in the 800m in 2:31.45), Jodie McGuff (third in the 1600m in 5:36.28 and third in the 3200m in 11:44.94), Carly Thomas (fourth in the 1600m in 5:36.29 and first in the 3200m in 11:24.01), Raven Otway (first in the shot put with 36-01.25 and second in the discus with 106-08).
Next up on the radar are each division’s respective district meets. With less than a month until State, it is time to buckle down and grind out those final races. If things continue the way they’ve been going, the Big Bend will make quite a splash down in Winter Park, come State-time.
Stoltz goes to Gatorland (in less than 5 minutes)
Jana Stolting, April 3, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
This past weekend, a handful of local athletes followed up the previous weekend’s FSU Relays with another college-high school hybrid meet, this time, in Gator Country. The UF Relays provided an excellent book-end for spring break, delivering both strong competition and outstanding performances.
The fun began on Friday night, with the high school distance carnival. Jana Stolting, the lone Maclay competitor, ran a 4:57.64 in the girls’ 1600m to take third place. Chiles runners, Carly Thomas (5:22.05) and Jodie McGuff (5:23.30) finished fifteenth and twenty-first respectively. In the boys’ 1600, Branden Lingerfelt, of Chiles, ran 4:37.98, for thirty-fourth place. Later that night, in the girls’ 3200m, Chiles phenom, Lily Williams, made her comeback from bronchitis with a sixth place showing in a time of 11:05.05. Teammate, Taylor Buzzard ran a 9:57.93 to take twenty-first place in the boys’ 3200m. Fellow Timberwolf, Raven Otway, made a statement in Friday’s discus throw, taking third place with a distance of 119-01.
Otway returned on Saturday to take eighth in the shot put (35-08.00). Her teammate, Haley Watts, vaulted a height of 10-00.00, good enough for ninth place in the girls’ pole vault. Chiles also had strong showings in Saturday’s relays (it is the UF Relays, after all!). Their girls’ 4x800m team ran a 10:07.95, finishing in sixteenth place. Their boys’ 4x800m team ran a time of 8:28.13, finishing in twenty-first place. In the 4x100m relay, their girls finished twenty-fourth overall in 50.32. Their boys took thirty-sixth in 44.38.
With spring break drawing to a close, it is almost time to head into post-season competition. Before the quest for State glory begins, however, local runners, jumpers, throwers, and vaulters will be on the hunt for City glory. The City Championship Meet will take place this Tuesday at 5 P.M. at its new home, the Chiles track. With the change in venue comes a change in atmosphere as well; in order to enjoy this apparently “enhanced” atmosphere, you will have to pay admission, unlike in years past when the meet was held at FSU. So, say “so-long” to Mike Long (and five dollars) and “hello” to Chiles. Enjoy the change in scenery and cheer on the Big Bend’s best as they go head-to-head one last time.
FSU Relays - Serious Competition
Jana Stolting, March 28, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
What a weekend for Tallahassee track and field! At the FSU Relays, local runners, jumpers, and throwers got the chance to rub elbows with some of the nation’s top collegiate athletes, and these prepsters proved that they will carry on the tradition of track and field excellence set by their predecessors.
The action kicked off on Friday, with the 4x800m relay. Lincoln posted an impressive school record time of 8:06.20 to take third place. Next up were the girls 100m hurdles. Florida High’s LaKetra McGee finished in second with a time of 14.88. Moving into the 400m dash, Florida High’s Elizabeth Ichite narrowly edged out Godby’s Christine Poole to take the win- 55.61 to 56.85. On the boys’ side, Lincoln’s Jabriel Giddins out-dashed his 400m competitors, winning in a time of 49.16. Keeping in the sprinting spirit, Godby’s boys won the 4x100m relay in 42.64, with Lincoln taking third in 43.08.
As the skies grew dark and the track lights came on, Friday night’s distance carnival began. First up was the 800m run. Maclay’s Stefanie Kurgatt won in a meet record performance of 2:15.33. Godby’s Terrell Bryant took third with a 1:54.99. The grand finale of Friday night was the 3200m run. Maclay’s Jana Stolting won the girls’ race with a meet record of 10:41.54. Carly Thomas, of Chiles, placed fifth in 11:12.23. In the boys’ race, one which saw ten competitors dip under 9:20 and six go below 9:10, Leon’s Matt Mizereck outkicked his nearest competitor to take the win in a meet record of 9:02.87. His teammate, Will Stanford finished twelfth in 9:31.69.
The record-setting performances continued on Saturday. Dorian Corbett, of Florida High, took third in the girls’ high jump (5-02.00). In the girls’ pole vault, Chiles’s Haley Watts and Maclay’s Lilly VanWinkle finished fourth and fifth respectively, each one vaulting 10-00.00. North Florida Christian’s Darielle McQueen claimed second in the girls’ triple jump (36-09.75). Godby athletes took three of the top four spots in the boys’ triple jump, with Quayshun Smith jumping 46-09.25 for first, Jamar Cull going 44-04.25 for third, and Treavis Livingston jumping 43-07.50 for fourth. The Godby streak was broken up by Maclay’s Lee Williams, who went 45-08.25 for second. Chiles thrower, Stargell William, won the boys’ shot put with a meet record of 53-10.00. Florida High’s Ana DeTorres won the girls’ 300m hurdles in 44.76. Maclay’s Stefanie Kurgatt returned from her record-setting 800m to set another record, this time in the 1600m, winning in 5:03.82. Leon’s Matt Mizereck also followed a Friday night victory with another victory in the 1600m, in a time of 4:16.60. Maclay’s Lee Williams finished third in the 100m dash in 10.97. In the 4x400m relays, Florida High’s girls claimed second in 3:58.08. Lincoln’s boys also finished second, in 3:18.02.
After all the points were totaled up, Florida High was the top local girls’ team, taking third overall. Chiles finished in fifth, Maclay in sixth, and Godby in tenth. On the boys’ side, Godby triumphed, taking the overall win. Lincoln took fourth, Leon and Chiles tied for eighth, and Maclay finished in eleventh. It was a successful meet all around, and an excellent kick-off to a well-deserved Spring Break for the trackies of the Big Bend.
Bolles Bulldog Classic
Jana Stolting, March 14, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
This past Friday, athletes from Chiles and Maclay skipped out on a school day to compete in the Bolles Bulldog Classic in Jacksonville. As always, the performances more than justified the day off from academic pursuits, and the Big Bend looked strong even amongst the state’s top teams.
On the girls’ side, Chiles took the overall win. Ashton Gallaher won the long jump in 17-06.50. She followed that up with a win in the 100m (in 12.56) and a fifth place showing in the 200m (in a devilishly fast 26.66). Raven Otway won the discus (with 112-01) and placed second in the shot put (with 35-07). Meisha Holton won both the 100m hurdles (in 15.34) and the 300m hurdles (in 48.05). In the distance events, Lily Williams took the win in the 1600m (in 5:00.92) and finished second in the 800m (in 2:17.44). Carly Thomas finished second in the 3200m, in a time of 11:32.85.
Maclay’s girls placed ninth overall. Imoni McCorvey took second in the triple jump (with 32-03.50), Stefanie Kurgatt won the 800m (in 2:15.69), and Jana Stolting placed fourth in the 1600m (in 5:06.72).
On the boys’ side, Chiles finished twelfth overall. Stevie Adams and Stargell Williams placed fourth and fifth respectively in the discus throw (with 138-07 and 134-02). Stargell Williams followed up that performance with a win in the shot put, throwing 53-01.00. Branden Lingerfelt ran a 9:58.68 in the 3200m, to claim seventh place.
Maclay’s boys finished twenty-first overall. Kyle Weaver placed fifth in the pole vault (with 12-06.00). Lee Williams jumped 21-08.00 in the long jump, good enough for fifth place. Alden Enlow placed seventh in the 300m hurdles, with a time of 42.92. Patrick Swain finished fifth in the 1600m, running a solid 4:27.19.
Although initial forecasts called for storms, the running gods must have smiled upon the Bolles meet and its participants, bestowing unto them a beautiful day and impressive speed, strength, and stamina. One could not have asked for a better way to spend a Friday afternoon, and we will certainly be rubbing it in the faces of all our non-track friends come Monday morning.
The Stoltz Report is Back on Track
Jana Stolting, March 7, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
Track season got its official start this past weekend, with two local meets being contested on Saturday. Though it is early in the season, there were plenty of awe-inspiring performances from Tallahassee’s trackies.
At the Chiles Track and Field Championships, the Timberwolves dominated the girls’ competition, taking first overall with a score of 169 points. They were led by Ashton Gallaher (first in the 100m in 12.38, sixth in the 200m in 27.15, and second in the long jump with 16-10.00), Lily Williams (first in the 800m in 2:18.20 and first in the 1600m in 5:07.21), Jodie McGuff (fourth in the 800m in 2:33.52 and second in the 1600m in 5:23.99), and Meisha Holton (third in the 100m hurdles in 15.56 and second in the 300m hurdles in 46.87). Florida High took third overall, bolstered by a winning distance medley relay team (13:49.99), and Leon finished in fifth, boasting a 4x800m relay win (10:17.45).
On the boys’ side, Leon took the win with 124 points. They were led by Matt Mizereck’s impressive triple (first in the 800m in 1:55.86, first in the 1600m in 4:24.10, and first in the 3200m in 9:30.67). Teammate, Riley Doherty, took second in both the 1600m and 3200m, with times of 4:35.99 and 10:03.41. Chiles took fourth overall, and Florida High brought home sixth place.
Across town, at Godby High School, the Jesse Forbes Invitational provided another venue for local athletes to strut their stuff. Godby handily won both the boys’ and girls’ competitions, with Maclay’s girls in second and boys in fourth and Lincoln’s girls in fourth and boys in second. Notable Godby athletes included Chris St. Hilaire (first in the high jump with 6-02.00), Lavorrie Johnson (first in the 100m in 10.90), and Christine Poole (first in the 400m in 59.51). From Maclay, Lee Williams (first in the triple jump in 47-03.50, sixth in the 400m in 54.58, and second in the 200m in 22.82), Patrick Swain (first in the 3200m in 10:01.96), and Stefanie Kurgatt (first in the 800m in 2:26.96, first in the 1600m in 5:13.04, and first in the 3200m in 12:07.53) represented the Marauders with style. The Trojans relied on the strength of Raven Diggs (first in the 100m in 12.80 and second in the 200m in 26.37), Adrian Fushee (second in the 400m in 51.05), and two winning 4x400m relay teams (in 4:10.51 and 3:23.46) to secure their positions on the podium.
At the close of the kickoff weekend of track and field, the season looks bright for the Big Bend. With the mercury beginning to rise, the times will only continue to drop, as area athlete’s thaw out their winter weary muscles and toe the line with the state’s hottest competition.
Carnes Indoor Meet January 2010
Jana Stolting, February 5, 2010
(special to gulfwinds.org)
This past weekend, we got a taste of what the upcoming track season has in store for us at the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Invitational in Gainesville. True to their resilient nature, the Big Bend’s finest proved that they can get the job done just as well in Gator Country.
In the pole vault, Maclay’s Lillian VanWinkle won her age group with a height of 9-06.25. Fellow Marauder, Kyle Weaver, placed second in his age group with a height of 12-05.50. Other top ten age-group performances by Maclay trackies included Lindsey Poole (4th in the long jump with 13-07.50), Lee Williams (5th in the 200m in 23.56 and 9th in the 400m in 54.85), Stefanie Kurgatt (1st in the mile in 5:14.35), Travis Covert (6th in the mile in 5:01.87), Patrick Swain (10th in the mile in 4:36.56), and Jana Stolting (1st in the 3000m in 10:01.78).
Tallahassee’s other top performers included Leon’s Matt Mizereck (3rd in the mile in 4:26.78 and 1st in the 3000m in 8:42.65), Godby’s Christine Poole (5th in the 400m in 1:01.20), and fellow Cougar, Dieumy Duclos (5th in the 800m in 2:04.68). Chiles athletes showed their field event strength, with outstanding outcomes from Ashton Gallaher (5th in the long jump with 15-09.50), Percy Griffin (1st in the shot put with 41-07.00), and Stargell Williams (3rd in the shot put with 45-11.25).
Overall, this meet proved to be a great pre-season fitness assessment and confidence booster for local prepsters. With fast times, big throws, and jumps both long and high already being posted, it appears as though this Spring will truly be one to remember. Hold on to your seats, folks, this is going to be quite a ride.
A Fond Farewell to Cross Country
Jana Stolting, December 12, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
It may be hard to believe, but the 2009 cross country season has finally drawn to a close. The FACA Senior All-Star Meet last weekend and the Footlocker National Championship Meet this weekend provided thrilling finales for area runners.
At the Senior All-Star Meet, seniors from across the state were organized into their respective regions, giving athletes a chance to be on the same team as their usual competitors. The Big Bend was represented by Jana Stolting, of Maclay, and Kendall Andrews, of Chiles. They, along with their other Region One teammates, were led by Maclay’s assistant coach, Stephen Cox. Mother Nature did not smile upon Apalachee Regional Park that morning, as runners were greeted with wet, windy, and freezing conditions. Part of the course was even washed out, forcing a last-minute re-routing of runners. Nevertheless, Region 1 prevailed, led by Jana Stolting’s first place finish in a time of 18:12.85. Kendall Andrews had a strong fifth place showing with a time of 19:39.75. What an outstanding way to cap off a season of Tallahassee dominance!
Across the country, in San Diego’s Balboa Park, Leon’s Matt Mizereck competed in the prestigious Footlocker National Championship Meet. He ran a smart race, working his way up from the back of the pack, to finish a very impressive tenth place overall, with a time of 15:36.8. This is quite a feat, especially considering the difficulty of the Balboa Park course and the rainy, slippery conditions. Mizereck’s top ten finish provides an exciting glimpse into his bright future as a Florida Gator.
Once again, we must say goodbye to another cross country season. Parting is such sweet sorrow. As we pack up our spikes until the spring, we can look back and take pride in a strong season of Tallahassee triumph. I know I will never forget the joy and support this running community provided for me throughout my middle and high school years of competition. We are privileged enough to live in a town that both inspires and encourages us to reach our full potential, and wherever life’s journey may take me, I will never take that for granted. For now though, it is time to build that base, and get ready to represent the Big Bend in a big way this track season.
Footlocker Fun and Nike Notes
Jana Stolting, November 29, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
With the regular season existing only as a fond memory in the collective mind of Tallahassee’s prepsters, it is time to move on to post-season competition. This past Saturday, local athletes from Leon, Maclay, and Chiles made the trip up to North Carolina to compete in either the Footlocker South Regional Meet or the Nike Cross Southeast Regional Meet. The ultimate goal was, of course, to finish in the top ten at Footlocker or in the top two teams at Nike, thereby gaining a berth to the respective National Meets. While only one local athlete accomplished this remarkable feat; it was not for lack of effort. When all was said and done, the Big Bend proved, once again, why it is known for its special breed of distance runner.
In Charlotte, freezing temperatures couldn’t cool off the hot competition at the Footlocker South Regional Meet. The festivities got underway at 10 AM, with the girls’ seeded race. Jana Stolting, of Maclay, was the lone female representative from the Big Bend. She finished in seventeenth place, with a time of 17:51. Forty minutes later, the boys’ race started. Leon’s Matt Mizereck came back from his devastating eleventh place finish of the previous year to claim a solid fourth place overall, in a smoking time of 14:51. He will be going to San Diego in two weeks to represent the South Team at Nationals. Fellow Lion, Riley Doherty, also competed, finishing in seventy eighth place, with a time of 15:56.
Up the road a ways, in Cary, the Chiles girls competed at Nike Cross Southeast. They faced stiff competition, but managed to grab a respectable seventh place overall. They were led by Lily Williams, who finished in tenth place, with a time of 18:10.40. Behind her, teammates Carly Thomas (thirty-second place in 18:50.80), Jodie McGuff (fifty-fifth place in 19:18.80), Kendall Andrews (fifty-sixth place in 19:19.20), and Kelley Bahn (seventy-sixth place in 19:47.30) rounded out the top five.
You may think that this past weekend finally marked the end of cross country competition for local athletes… but you thought wrong! This coming Saturday, many of the area’s senior distance junkies will be back at the world famous Apalachee Regional Park, racing in the Senior All-Star Meet. With that all important commodity on the line: pride, you can bet this will be a race to remember. For those of you who wish to come out and support the class of 2010, the races will get underway at 9 AM, or so I am told. For those of you who wish to stay warm and cozy in your beds, send some good vibes to the warriors of Region 1.
A Strong STATEment for Tallahassee
Jana Stolting, November 21, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
What a day for Tallahassee cross country! The 2009 State Championship Meet was everything it was built up to be and more, especially for the throng of runners hailing from the 850. With two state championship teams, three individual champs, and a plethora of runners inside the top ten, the Big Bend brought home a treasure trove of hardware.
In the girls’ 1A race, Maclay took second overall, with Holy Trinity narrowly dashing their dreams of a championship by a mere five points. The Lady Marauders were led by Jana Stolting (third in 17:51.60), Stefanie Kurgatt (fourth in 18:02.96), Kristin Sweeney (fourteenth in 19:30.51), and Shelby Salimone (seventeenth in 19:39.91).
Maclay’s boys finished a solid fourth overall in the 1A boys’ race. Patrick Swain repeated as state champion, winning in a time of 15:44.98. Behind him, teammates Austin Stevens (twelfth in 16:36.03), Jacob Coates (thirty-ninth in 17:30.82), Travis Covert (forty-second in 17:34.58), and Dennis Keane (forty-ninth in 17:43.82) rounded out the top five.
No Tallahassee teams were represented in the 2A races, but there were two individuals in the boys’ race. Dieumy Duclos, of Godby High School, finished in twenty-sixth place in a time of 16:31.05. His teammate, Terrell Bryant ran 17:00.24, to claim fifty-fifth place.
The 3A races provided yet another showcase of the dominance of the Leon boys and Chiles girls. In the boys’ race, Matt Mizereck claimed the top spot for the third time in as many years in 15:21.64. Behind him, teammates Will Stanford (fourth in 15:51.88) and Riley Doherty (fifth in 15:52.37) provided a solid support system for the Lions, guaranteeing them the win. In the same race, the Chiles boys took fifteenth overall, led by Brandon Lingerfelt’s forty-sixth place finish in a time of 16:50.65.
The Chiles girls came, saw, and conquered, just as predicted, winning with a team score of forty points. They were led by overall winner, Carly Thomas who just outkicked her teammate to claim first with a time of 18:20.97. Bolstered by strong showings from Lily Williams (second in 18:21.48), Kendall Andrews (tenth in 18:55.99), and Jodie McGuff (19:13.57), Chiles easily took home the gold.
As the 2009 cross country season draws to a close, the feeling is bittersweet. With my senior year rapidly disappearing, I know I was more than a little nostalgic as I waved goodbye to Little Everglades Ranch for the last time. And yet, there was also a feeling of excitement for all that Tallahassee’s young distance stars have accomplished, and for what still lies ahead. For some, there is still more work to be done next weekend, at the Footlocker South Regional Meet in Charlotte, North Carolina. For others, it is time to air out the shoes for a week or two before heading back out to the trails to prepare for track season. I, for one, cannot wait to make the trip up to Charlotte to take my shot at a top ten finish and a trip to Nationals, and I am not alone in my anticipation. I know for a fact that Matt Mizereck will be making the trip as well, and he may be joined by one or more fellow Lions. Perhaps this will be the year that a Tally native finally gets to San Diego. With the way things have gone thus far, it certainly isn’t outside of the realm of possibility.
Good Results at Regionals
Jana Stolting, November 15, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
It was a solid weekend of racing for Tallahassee’s distance prepsters, as they competed in their respective Regional Championship Meets. For most, these races seemed to be simply a formality, a final hurdle before the real fun begins next weekend.
Maclay made the trip down to Santa Fe Community College to compete in the 1A Region 1 Championship Meet. The Marauder girls cruised to a first place overall showing, led by Jana Stolting (first in 18:20.50), Stefanie Kurgatt (second in 18:48.58), Kristin Sweeney (eighth in 19:51.89), and Shelby Salimone (ninth in 19:52.89). Their male teammates took second overall, led by Patrick Swain’s win in a time of 16:20.65. Austin Stevens (fifth in 17:04.46), Travis Covert (ninth in 17:39.75), and Jacob Coates (tenth in 17:41.23) also finished inside the top ten. North Florida Christian and Wewahitchka also participated in the meet, but will not be moving on to the State Finals.
Back home in Tallahassee (or, a little north, at Sunny Hill Plantation), both the 2A and 3A Region 1 Championship Meets were contested. Florida High made valiant efforts in both the girls and boys 2A races, but unfortunately failed to move on to the state meet. Seminole runner, Albert Edwards, did place inside the top fifteen (fifteenth in 16:53.60), earning him an individual berth to the State Meet. Godby also advanced two individual runners, despite the fact that they failed to advance as a team. Dieumy Duclos (seventh in 16:43.35) and Terrell Bryant (thirteenth in 16:51.55) will both toe the line at State.
In the 3A race, it was more of what we’ve seen all season: Chiles domination on the girls’ side and Leon supremacy for the guys. The first place Chiles charge was led by Lily Williams (first in 18:29.52) and Carly Thomas (second in 18:31.29). Teammates, Kendall Andrews (fifth in 18:56.63) and Jodie McGuff (eighth in 19:08.30) also finished inside the top ten. Leon’s girls finished tenth overall, meaning they will not be moving on to the State Meet.
On the boys’ side, Leon left the competition in the dust. Matt Mizereck won in a time of 15:26.48. Teammates, Riley Doherty (third in 15:47.79) and a still-recovering Will Stanford (fourth in 15:56.15) sealed Leon’s first place fate. The Chiles boys took fifth overall, meaning they too will get to make the trip to Dade City. They were led by Taylor Buzzard (twentieth in 16:42.04), Branden Lingerfelt (twenty-first in 16:42.46), and Sam Sutton (twenty-third in 16:45.90). Lincoln finished fifteenth overall and will not advance.
With the Regional Championships behind us, it is finally time for the ultimate showdown: the State Championship Meet. Representatives from five Tallahassee high schools will be charging up the finish hill, into glory, when all is said and done next Saturday. With the way things have gone so far this season, only one thing is certain, and that is that nothing is certain. There is something about the State Meet that seems to fly in the face of predictability. It must be that Dade City air, the way it fills each breath with the sweet tang of hope and courage, making feet a little fleeter and turning underdogs into champions.
Districts - The First Step to State
Jana Stolting, November 9, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
Last week, area athletes participated in their District Championship Meets. Although the dates and venues of these contests varied, there was one constant: Tallahassee teams prevailed, proving they are ready to take on the challenge of Regionals and beyond.
The 1A District 1 Championship Meet was hosted by Maclay on Thursday. Gary Droze’s new course configuration sent runners through the infamous holding pond three times, instead of the usual two. To his chagrin, however, the course was not nearly as wet as it had been at City, allowing runners to navigate the muddy portions with relative ease. Maclay dominated the field in both the girls’ and boys’ races. The girls just missed attaining a perfect score, settling for an impressive 17 points to take the overall win. The top four girls cruised the course as a pack, with Shelby Salimone taking first (20:24.78), Jana Stolting in second (20:25.67), Stefanie Kurgatt in third (20:26.07), and Kristin Sweeney in fourth (20:42.95). Lindsey Poole rounded out Maclay’s top five, finishing in eighth place with a time of 21:58.26. The Marauder men finished the meet with a decisive victory, scoring 22 points. They were led by teammates Patrick Swain (17:22.48) and Austin Stevens (17:22.67), who finished first and second respectively. Jacob Coates was the third Marauder across the line, finishing fourth in a time of 17:41.85.
The 3A District 1 Meet was held on Saturday in Pensacola. As expected, Chiles dominated the women’s field and Leon trounced the male competition. Teammates, Lily Williams (18:32.65) and Carly Thomas (18:38.85) led the Chiles charge, taking first and second respectively. The lady Timberwolves finished with a total team score of 24 points, 19 points ahead of second place. The Leon girls placed fourth overall, led by Brooke Eubanks, who took sixteenth place in a time of 20:31.62. This means that the lady Lions will be moving on the Regional Championship Meet this Saturday. The boys of Leon will also be making that trip, as they took the overall win, with a team score of 59 points. Matt Mizereck led the way, finishing first in 16:07.93. Teammates, Will Stanford (who is still returning from illness) and Riley Doherty finished third and fourth respectively, with times of 16:20.03 and 16:20.44. The Chiles boys will also move on to Regionals, as they finished fourth overall.
The 2A District 1 Meet took place at our very own Apalachee Regional Park on Saturday. Florida High was the top scoring local team in both the girls’ and boys’ races, with their girls taking second and their boys taking fourth. The lady Seminoles were led by Allison Murray’s sixth place finish in a time of 21:26.85. The Seminole men were bolstered by Robert Abellera’s strong fourth place showing, in a time of 17:03.83. Godby’s boys proved they are still contenders, taking fifth overall to move on to Regionals. Cougar, Dieumy Duclos was the top Godby finisher, taking third place in a time of 16:54.77.
With District competition behind us, it is time to look ahead to Regionals. The top four teams from each region will advance to the State Meet. Those four spots will not come easily, as everyone wants the chance to toe the line in Dade City. Something tells me, however, that Tallahassee will be well represented on that line come November 21.
City Champs
Jana Stolting, November 1, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
It was an unseasonably hot afternoon this past Friday, as local teams toed the line of the City Championship Meet, hosted by Maclay. Despite the sweltering temperatures, area athletes put on quite a show for the crowd. It didn’t hurt that the course featured two trips through the Maclay holding pond, which had conveniently flooded just in time for the race. After all, what’s cross country without sweat, blood, and a little (or a lot) of mud?
In the girls’ race, Maclay scored a perfect 15 to take the top spot. They were led by Jana Stolting’s first place finish, in a time of 18:58.28. Behind Stolting were teammates, Stefanie Kurgatt (second in 19:46.50), Shelby Salimone (third in 20:59.34), Kristin Sweeney (fourth in 21:43.39), and Lindsey Sanders (fifth in 22:28.01). Aucilla Christian claimed second place, followed by Florida High in third, Wakulla in fourth, Grace Christian Academy in fifth, and Lincoln in sixth.
In the boys’ race, Maclay also coasted to victory. Top Marauders included Austin Stevens (fourth in 18:16.42), Patrick Swain (fifth in 18:16.73), Jacob Coates (seventh in 18:39.84), and Travis Covert (eighth in 18:47.39). Godby took second overall, led by a one-two sweep, with Diemy Duclos finishing in first place (17:36.74) and Terrell Bryant in second (17:54.48). Lincoln claimed the third spot, led by a tight pack of Alex Close (ninth in 18:50.79), Kurt Dietrich (tenth in 18:51.07), and Jacob Slupecki (eleventh in 19:07.92). Florida High’s boys rounded out the top four, led by Robert Abellera’s third place finish, in a time of 17:58.73.
The City Championship Meet marked the end of regular season competition. Now, teams are looking ahead to the post season, and ultimately, the big dance: State. District Meets will begin this week, with the 1A District 1 Championship being hosted by Maclay. The forecast does not predict heavy rain, but something tells me that the holding pond will somehow remain flooded, at least until the end of the week.
Built for Speed - Panhandle Champs
Jana Stolting, October 25, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
The Panhandle Championship certainly delivered on its promise to be both fast and exciting. In fact, it is quite possible that this year’s race was the fastest ever on the girls’ side, and close to it among the boys.
In the girls’ race, Chiles narrowly edged out Fort Walton Beach (by 7 points) to take the overall win. They were led by Lily Williams, who finished in third place with a time of 18:08.06. Teammates, Carly Thomas (fourth in 18:21.40) and Kendall Andrews (sixth in 19:03.59) provided solid support for the Timberwolves’ charge. The ladies of Maclay finished a respectable third place overall. They were led by freshman, Stefanie Kurgatt’s record breaking 17:47.62 victory. Teammate, Jana Stolting also came in under the old course record in second place, with a time of 17:53.27. Fellow Marauder, Kristin Sweeney came through in 19:14.33, which was good enough for tenth place. Local teams, Leon, Florida High, and Lincoln finished sixth, eleventh, and fourteenth respectively.
The boys’ race was dominated by Maclay’s Patrick Swain, who bested his nearest competitor by sixteen seconds, finishing in 15:50.20. Teammates, Austin Stevens (twenty-fifth in 16:45.05), Jacob Coates (forty-fifth in 17:33.83), and Travis Covert (forty-eighth in 17:38.29) helped the Marauders take fifth overall. Chiles edged Maclay out to take the fourth place spot. They were led by Taylor Buzzard’s eighth place finish in a time of 16:20.40. Teammates Sam Sutton (twelfth in 16:24.81) and Branden Lingerfelt (eighteenth in 16:35.17) also finished inside the top twenty. Local teams, Godby, Florida High, Lincoln, and Leon all finished in the top twenty, with Godby in tenth, Lincoln in eleventh, Florida High in fourteenth, and Leon in sixteenth.
As we pulled out of the parking lot, I must say I was sad to be waving goodbye to my final Panhandle Championship. Fortunately, however, the most important meets still lie ahead. This coming Friday (yes, Halloween), Maclay will host the always-entertaining (and muddy) City Championship Meet. Whether you run, volunteer, or just come out and watch, it promises to be a great way to start off your night of mayhem, and full of tricks and treats for everyone!
PreState - Fast Times
Jana Stolting, October 18, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
This past weekend, local high school squads trekked down to Dade City to participate in the Pre-State Invitational. Big Bend athletes made it worth the gas money it took to get down there with outstanding performances on both the girls’ and boys’ sides.
In the elite girls’ race, Chiles dominated the field, winning first place overall. The Lady Timberwolves placed four runners in the top ten. They were led by Lily Williams, who finished in fourth place with a time of 18:34.42. Behind her, teammates Carly Thomas (sixth in 18:45.66), Rachel Givens (eighth in 18:55.82), and Kendall Andrews (tenth in 19:04.06) rounded out the top pack. In the same race, the ladies of Leon placed twenty-seventh overall, led by Allison Clarke (one hundred twenty-sixth place in 21:33.85).
Maclay’s Lady Marauders competed in the Small Schools race, and proved equally as dominant, taking the overall victory. Just as the Chiles girls did in their race, Maclay placed four girls in the top ten. The charge was led by Jana Stolting, who placed first overall and cracked the eighteen minute barrier with a time of 17:51.12. Behind her, teammates Stefanie Kurgatt (second in 18:27.73), Kristin Sweeney (sixth in 19:34.68), and Shelby Salimone (ninth in 19:51.77) sealed Maclay’s top-spot fate.
On the boys’ side, the elite race provided yet another opportunity for Leon’s Matt Mizereck to show the state what he can do. He charged up the famed finish hill to take first place in 15:20.44, which was over three seconds ahead of his closest competitor. His win, along with teammate, Riley Doherty’s twenty-second place finish (16:10.76) propelled the Lions to a sixth place overall standing. This is quite a feat considering the Lions’ usual number two runner, Will Stanford, is still not back to full strength after battling sickness for the past few weeks. The Chiles boys also ran in the elite race, placing eighteenth overall. They were led by Sam Sutton’s forty-seventh place finish, in a time of 16:37.09.
Maclay’s boys ran in the Small Schools race, finishing a solid fourth overall. Top Marauder, Patrick Swain, buried the field, winning in a time of 16:07.48. Teammates, Austin Stevens (fifteenth in 17:25.04), Jacob Coates (twenty-sixth in 18:00.75), and Travis Covert (twenty-seventh in 18:03.45) rounded out the Marauder charge.
Overall, it was another great weekend of racing for area athletes, who proved they can compete with the state’s best runners and come out on top. Next weekend, local teams will flock to Marianna for the highly anticipated Panhandle Championship, a meet that has been known to produce fast times and nail-biting finishes. With the weather finally turning crisper and cross country season truly kicking into high gear, there is no telling what awe-inspiring performances next weekend’s battle royal will produce, but I, for one, cannot wait to toe that line.
A New Home for FSU Invite
Jana Stolting, October 11, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
It was a scorcher of a meet this past Saturday, as area teams competed in the FSU Invitational, which was being held at a brand new venue: the Apalachee Regional Park. Although the unseasonable heat and humidity zapped most runners’ PR hopes, the competition was alive and well, and the Big Bend worked hard to defend its turf.
In the boys’ race, Leon asserted its dominance, taking first overall. The Lions were led by Matt Mizereck’s win, in a time of 15:34.27. Fellow Lion, Riley Doherty filled in for usual number two runner, Will Stanford, who was not at full capacity due to illness. Doherty finished in sixth place with a time of 16:22.13. Chiles proved they are a force to be reckoned with, finishing fourth overall in this highly competitive field. They were led by Taylor Buzzard’s eleventh place finish (16:45.87) and Sam Sutton’s fifteenth place finish (17:00.57). Maclay took eleventh in the team competition, led by a strong third place finish by Patrick Swain (15:52.49). Florida High runner, Robert Abellera, finished in twenty-second place (17:13.78), to lead his team to a thirteenth place overall score. Local teams, Lincoln and Godby, finished fourteenth and fifteenth respectively.
On the girls’ side, Chiles was the runaway champion, claiming five of the top ten runners. The lady Timberwolves were led by a second place finish by Lily Williams (18:30.64), and third and fourth place finishes by Carly Thomas (18:56.08) and Rachel Givens (18:58.92). The girls of Maclay finished seventh overall, placing three runners in the top ten. The lady Marauders were led by Jana Stolting’s first place finish (18:28.83), Stefanie Kurgatt’s sixth place finish (19:46.80), and Kristin Sweeney’s ninth place showing (20:07.06). Leon’s lady Lions took eleventh overall, while the girls of Florida High finished in thirteenth place.
Once again, the FSU Invitational delivered on its promise to bring great competition, excitement, and drama to the Tallahassee running scene. Now, if only it could bring great weather… Regardless of the heat, however, Saturday’s races were a perfect showcase of the thing of beauty that is Apalachee Regional Park. There is no doubt in my mind that this course will gain the kind of notoriety that is normally reserved for such nationally acclaimed venues as McAlpine, Van Cortlandt, and Balboa. Brian Corbin and all the volunteers who helped see his mission through deserve our greatest thanks. They have put the spotlight on distance running in the Big Bend. Now, it is up to us to make sure our fifteen minutes of fame doesn’t go to waste.
Another Weekend - Bobcat Classic and Quail Trail Invitational
Jana Stolting, September 27, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
This past weekend, area athletes traveled to two different venues to show off their distance running prowess. Chiles made the trip to Gainesville to take part in the Bucholz Bobcat Classic, while Maclay, Florida High, and Lincoln went just up the road to Pebble Hill Plantation in Georgia to be a part of the very first Quail Trail Invitational.
In Gainesville, Chiles dominated the girls’ field, taking home the win. They were led by a first through third sweep consisting of Lily Williams (first in 18:25.49), Carly Thomas (second in 18:54.69), and Rachel Givens (third in 18:57.82). Teammate, Kelley Bahn, rounded out the top five with her twenty-first place finish in 21:00.95.
The men of Chiles were not quite as dominant, but they still came out a solid fourth overall. They were led by Branden Lingerfelt’s fifth place finish in 16:34.70. Teammates, Sam Sutton (eighth in 16:46.30) and Taylor Buzzard (ninth in 16:48.70) added the depth needed to place so highly in such a respectable field.
Back in our neck of the woods (or a little up the road from it, in Georgia), Maclay proved to be the team to beat. The Marauders took first overall in both the girls’ and boys’ races, proving they can get the job done even on very “creatively measured” courses. After all, accuracy falls by the wayside, as it should, in real cross country. The lady Marauders matched the lady Timberwolves, with a first through third sweep of their own. Jana Stolting (first in 18:43.00), Stefanie Kurgatt (second in 20:18.00), and Shelby Salimone (third in 21:10.00) sealed Maclay’s first place fate. The Maclay boys were led by Austin Stevens, who finished in second with a time of 17:49.00. Behind him, teammates, Patrick Swain (sick, with a third place finish of 18:21.00) and Travis Covert (ninth in 19:28.00) wrapped up the necessary points to take home the win.
Lincoln’s girls finished fifth overall, and their boys finished fourth (their lead runners plagued with illness). Florida High’s boys took third, led by a Trey Edwards’s fourth place finish (18:35.00) and a fifth place finish by Robert Abellera (18:56.00).
The Big Bend has enjoyed another successful weekend at the races, even as sickness makes its way through area teams. Hopefully, everyone will be healthy two weeks from now, when FSU hosts its Invitational at the brand new Apalachee Regional Cross Country Park. Our very own Brian Corbin has made it his mission to provide the community with a true cross country venue, and his mission has been accomplished. He and countless volunteers have spent many-a-Saturday toiling away to create this great course from scratch. Words cannot begin to describe the level of appreciation my fellow runners and I have for those who undertook this daunting task. It is my feeling that the greatest way we can all say “Thanks” is to break it in right on October 10.
Lincoln Invite
Jana Stolting, September 22, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
This past Saturday, Lincoln hosted the Lincoln Invitational cross country meet at Tom Brown Park. Regrettably, I was in New York at the time (I promise this is the last time I’ll be away for a while), so I had to, once again, receive most of my information on the meet via text. Thank the running gods for technology, or else there might not have been a Stoltz report this week… or at least not a factual one.
On the boys’ side, Riley Doherty led Leon to take first overall with his first place individual finish in a time of 16:18.84. Teammate, Will Stanford took third in 16:56.64. Maclay finished second overall led by Patrick Swain’s second place effort of 16:19.32. Fellow Marauder, Austin Stevens, took fourth overall, with a time of 17:06.49. Maclay freshman, Travis Covert, dipped under the nineteen minute mark to finish nineteenth in a time of 18:54.64. Mosley High School finished third, with a fifth place finish by Phil Cochran (17:07.90) and a seventh place finish by Frankie Menna (17:30.49). Godby grabbed fourth overall, Lincoln fifth, and Florida High sixth.
On the girls’ side, the Maclay marauders took home the win. It was déjà vu all over again, with Stefanie Kurgatt (19:58.51), Kristin Sweeney (20:25.02), and Lindsey Sanders (22:11.71) taking first through third, just as they did earlier in the week at the Godby Invite. The ladies of Leon finished second as a team, with a fourth through seventh sweep consisting of Allison Clarke (22:13.24), Brooke Eubanks (22:17.68), Autumn Wable (22:27.81), and Allyson Alonso (22:41.83). Mosley took third overall, with Florida High in fourth, Wakulla in fifth, and Lincoln in sixth.
With another tough course and another successful meet behind them, area distance prepsters are gaining confidence for what lies ahead. Undoubtedly, the next few weeks will be full of surprises in the world of Big Bend cross country, and from now on, I will try to provide more than a second-hand account of these riveting races.
Cross Country Kickoff
Jana Stolting, September 15, 2009
(special to gulfwinds.org)
It’s hard to believe, but the 2009 cross country season is upon us. The Godby Invite on Monday was a great kick-off to what promises to be an exciting next couple of months. Unfortunately, I was in Portland, so I did not get to witness the race firsthand, but I conducted a few very official interviews via text, and feel qualified to report on it just the same.
The overall boys’ title went to Maclay. Marauders Patrick Swain and Austin Stevens led the way, finishing first (17:26.42) and second (17:43.24) respectively. Maclay men 3 through 5 finished in a solid pack, consisting of Travis Covert (twelfth in 19:45.96), Dennis Keane (fifteenth in 20:09.53), and Matt Antworth (seventeenth in 20:15.29). The Lincoln boys took second place overall on this tough, hilly course. They were led by a down to the wire finish between teammates Jacob Slupecki (seventh in 19:06.09), and Alex Close (eighth in 19:07.44). Host team, Godby, took third place overall, led by Dieumy Duclos’s third place finish in 18:30.12.
On the girls’ side, the lady Marauders equaled their male teammates’ effort, taking the overall title. They were led by a first through third sweep, with Stefanie Kurgatt running 21:04.55, Kristin Sweeney running 21:18.80, and Lindsey Sanders running 23:20.61. Lincoln’s ladies also matched their boys, taking second place overall. They were led by Jennifer Zou’s sixth place finish in a time of 24:05.88. Florida High finished just eight points out of second, led by Allison Murray’s fourth place showing of 23:52.14.
With the first meet of the season in the books, area athletes now have a starting point for the season. Undoubtedly, kinder courses and cooler temperatures will make for some steep time improvements and even steeper competition as the State meet grows closer. Until that faithful day in November, the Big Bend’s finest will continue to make their marks both locally and throughout the state, in what promises to be one of the strongest cross country seasons this area has seen in quite some time.