Advertisement

County rivals could give Lecanto a race this year // GIRLS

 
Published Sept. 4, 1996|Updated July 6, 2006

The gap may be closing this year between Lecanto and the other schools in the county.

Don't be surprised if the Panthers widen it, though, with some of the county's top cross country runners _ provided they can find the depth.

Don't be surprised if it's Citrus that closes the gap, with an upcoming team that could assume the mantle of county's best.

And if Crystal River gets some surprise production from a pair of newcomers, the Pirates could jump into the mix.

Citrus coach Steve Sherland says watch Lecanto. Lecanto coach Tim Byrne returns the compliment.

Who to believe? You decide:

Citrus

The Hurricanes will start the year a bit beat up, but hope to do some beating up before too long. They are better conditioned, more focused and more confident coming off last year's appearance at the state tournament.

And who better than a senior to lead them. Allison Evans will be one of the county's top female runners this season, and could give the Hurricanes that all-important consistent top-five finisher.

"She's going to be real strong for us," said coach Sherland.

Evans is running in the upper- to mid-12s for the 2 miles, and finished in 20:28 at the Red Mule 5K, second in her age group.

Sara Bedford will push her in practice, although some nagging injuries have slowed her progress this fall. Foot problems prohibited Bedford from completing the Red Mule race, and sister Mary also is working though some injuries.

If Keri Cassiday and Tania Agosto, though, improve like Sherland is hoping, Citrus could overcome the injuries in the early part of the season. And Martha Cook has been able to keep within a few seconds of Evans in practices.

"We came in in a lot better condition than at the same time last year," said Sherland. "Last year it took us all season to get in shape. This time we're in shape."

Lecanto

The Panthers return a strong nucleus from last year's state-contending unit, and another trip to the state meet seems likely.

If Evans is looking for her stiffest competition in the county this season, she need look no farther than Stefanie McCullough, who was 14th at state last year while running a 12:38 as a freshman. Returning with McCullough are sophomore Melissa Schneider and senior Amy Beams. The three, along with junior Shalyn Barnes, were the driving force behind Lecanto's big season last year.

"They've pretty much got everybody back," said Tim Byrne, the boys coach and husband of girls coach Diedre Byrne. "All the key people are back, although the depth isn't quite there."

Strong through its first four runners, Lecanto will be hoping a consistent No. 5 develops in order to return it to state. Senior Melissa Demagone and freshman Melissa Kenney could develop.

Although a Class 4A girls poll has not been compiled, Byrne thinks the Panthers would rank right where they finished last season _ third.

Crystal River

It's not the heat, it's the heat and the humidity that are slowing down junior transfer Jennifer Davis. Expected to be one of the Pirates' top two runners, the transplanted New Yorker is finding out the first rule of running in Florida _ it's pretty darn hot.

"I expect her to be at the top," said coach Dan Epstein, "but right now she's having trouble with that heat."

More acclimated to the weather is another newcomer to the team, but not the state, Anne Hollander. A junior who didn't run last year, Hollander has been impressive in workouts, which have included a 13:14 time on grass in a time trial last week.

"She can be right up there with the top contenders in the county, and maybe the district," said Epstein.

Junior Holly Edstrom is the top returner (a best time of 13:13), and Ellen Dittrich also is back. Expected to compete for the No. 5 spot are Leslie Gonsette, Nicole Verlato and Lisette Digman.