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Hillsborough County Comes Up Empty

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By BILL WARD, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 18, 2007

DADE CITY - For the first time in 36 years, the Tampa Bay area failed to produce a team or individual champion at the state cross country championships. And for the first time since 1964, the area did not boast at least a runner-up at the meet.

But while not living up to the area's rich tradition in the sport, the Bay area was still well represented and competitive in Saturday's four classifications at Little Everglades Ranch. Six area boys turned in top-10 performances, while two local girls finished among the first 10 of their race. Among the team races, four area squads grabbed top-five honors.

The highlights for the area included:

•A third-place finish by Jesuit's boys in Class 2A.

•A fourth-place showing by Plant's boys in 3A and a fifth from the Panthers in the girls race.

•Running as an individual qualifier, Chamberlain sophomore Mark Parrish was a surprising fourth in 3A with the area's fastest 5-kilometer time, 15 minutes, 58 seconds.

•Berkeley Prep senior Richard Blake earned his third straight top-5 finish by taking third place in 1A..

"It's surprising that no one from the area won a team or individual crown but I just think the quality around the rest of the state is getting better," said Plant coach Roy Harrison, who has led his school to a girls' record eight state crowns. "There are a lot of young coaches out there training their kids year-round and the quality is definitely better now across the state."

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