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FOR THE FANS

 
Published Nov. 15, 2001|Updated Sept. 10, 2005

LOCAL QUALIFIERS: Class A girls _ Keswick Christian, Indian Rocks Christian, Shorecrest. Class A boys _ St. Petersburg Catholic, Indian Rocks Christian, Shorecrest, Admiral Farragut, Tanner Tidwell (Keswick Christian). Class 2A girls _ CC Catholic, Sarah Geigle (Osceola). Class 2A boys _ Kevin Lyons (CCC), Joey Griffin (Osceola). Class 3A girls _ Largo, Seminole; Class 3A boys _ Largo, Seminole, Brian Calder (Clearwater). Class 4A girls Kerrie Savery (PHU), Rebekah Lindsey (PHU).

_ Compiled by staff writer Rodney Page.

RUNNERS TO WATCH

BOYS

KEVIN LYONS (CCC): Lyons ran 15:35 at the regional meet to win by 42 seconds. Lyons ran 15:06 at districts and has been getting better and better. He is primed to win a state title.

ANDY BILADEAU (Jesuit): Don't let his regional time (18:01) fool you. Biladeau and his Jesuit teammates ran a paced race and crossed the finish line at the same time. He ran 15:13 at districts, a personal best, and is capable of keeping pace with Lyons.

ROLF STEIER (Berkeley Prep): He ran the state's fastest time at Taylor Park in the district meet, a blazing 14:26. Steier is a good bet to win the 2A individual crown. He's ranked second in the state by flrunners.com behind Tallahassee Maclay's Ryan Deak.

JOHN BIFFAR (Admiral Farragut): Finished 24 seconds behind Steier at the regional meet in Brooksville in 15:53. Realistically, Biffar will be looking at a top five finish.

GORDON REDSHAW (Seminole): Ran a solid 15:24 at regionals and has been Seminole's best runner all season. He'll need the same kind of race to keep the Warhawks in contention for a team title.

GIRLS

MELISSA KOTCHMAN (Indian Rocks Christian): An eighth-grader, Kotchman is a district and regional champion. She won the regional meet in 18:47 and her season-best 17:49 is the fifth-fastest in the state.

NICOLE FERRARO, (Seminole): Ferraro ran 18:54 at the regional meet to finish second, along with teammate Sarah Stargel. Ferraro was a top runner last season and will figure prominently in Seminole's hopes.

SARAH STARGEL, (Seminole): Her regional performance was the same as teammate Ferraro (18:54). A steady runner, Stargel is sure to be at the front of the pack.

APRYL WALL, (CC Catholic): Finished second at the regional meet to Laura Woznicki of Lakeland Kathleen in 20:01. A soccer player, Wall didn't run a full cross country season and is just rounding into shape.

KARA SCANLIN, (Jacksonville Episcopal): Not local, but worth noting. Scanlin set a course record at the Class A, Region 1 meet (17:33), winning by more than a minute, which makes her a favorite.

_ Compiled by staff writer Rodney Page.