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Land O' Lakes' Soto Improves His View

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By LARRY BUGG, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 19, 2007

DADE CITY - Felix Soto had an unusual view Saturday.

For a change, Soto actually had runners ahead of him during the Class 3A FHSAA state race at Little Everglades Ranch. He took the lead previously at the start and won both the district and regional with ease.

Soto had a better view this year than last year.

The Land O' Lakes High cross country standout finished sixth with a time of 16:04.

That was a huge improvement over his 24th-place finish in 2006.

"I'm tired," he said. "Steven Bell got a fifth place best ever for a Gator runner at state. I have to work harder. I think I ran pretty well compared to last year and the year before. Since I don't practice here, I'm not used to finishing strong."

His coach was more impressed.

"I thought he did great," Kris Keppel said. "He probably would like it a little bit warmer but I think it was perfect. I'm very happy with that sixth place. He ran a PR personal record today. He has one year to improve on that. His goal was 16:08. His PR was 16:21, which he ran at Zak Lucas. He has a goal to finish fifth place."

Gulf High's Jaci Pustelnik didn't care about the view during the 3A girls race.

"I'm really cold," said the Bucs senior. "My legs are like tingling and numb. I did OK. I couldn't do any more. I was so cold, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't feel my legs. I couldn't push myself any harder than I did."

Despite her problems, Pustelnik finished 64th (20:58). Her Gulf High team was 18th with 481 points.

Wesley Chapel's Jessica Furst didn't have a real problem with the course. The sophomore is used to running in cold and at great altitudes. Last year, she was a high school cross country runner in Mountain Home, Idaho.

She finished 30th in 19:55.

"Pretty good to run on," she said of the course. "I did good. My hands were cold. I couldn't feel my legs."

Wiregrass Ranch freshman Ariel Grey's top moment may have been when she arrived at the race site.

Her coach, Don Howard, provided the girls with a limousine to make an impression at the state meet. Howard also may get a Mohawk hair cut because the team finished in the top 20.

Wiregrass Ranch's girls, a second-year team, finished in 17th with 464 points in 2A.

Grey finished 52nd in the 2A race (20:53), teammate Taylor Hixson was 84th (21:44), Lakeishia Brown 89th (21:54), Megan Ibison 113th (22:36) and Hannah Still 126th (23:05).

"I've never been here before," Grey said. "The toughest part is coming up this hill. I feel good now. The girls I raced against at district beat me. They must be used to the hills. I tried my hardest."

"I was hoping she Grey would finish in the top 25," Brown said. "We put a lot of emphasis on getting here. It was hard for them to get up for another one. Two of the girls ran well. They ran their hearts out. They knew we were ranked 21st or 22nd. It was going to be hard for them to excel."

Wiregrass Ranch freshman Ryan Pulsifer was 37th (17:17) in the 2A race.

"I feel I did good," he said. "I broke my best time. I advanced for my school. I'm only in ninth grade. I can't wait to do this again.

"The course is very hard. I like hills. It was a fun race."

"Ryan ran tremendously," said Wiregrass Ranch coach Chris Loth. "He showed a level of maturity beyond his years. He had a PR. He really came through. It was a challenge for him but he met it."

RESULTS

Teams, individuals places and times at FHSAA Cross Country Meet Saturday at Little Everglades Ranch

Girls

Wiregrass Ranch (17th in Class 2A, 464): 1. Ariel Grey (52nd, 20:53); 2. Taylor Hixson (84th, 21:44); 3. Lakeisha Brown (89th, 21:54); 4. Megan Ibison (113th, 22:36); 5. Hannah Still (126th, 23:05).

Gulf High (18th, 481): 1. Jaci Pustelnik (64th, 20:58); 2. Courtney McAuliffe (78th, 21:16); 3. Brittnie Bennett (103rd, 21:32); 4. Natalie Smith (114th, 21:43); 5. Colleen McAuliffe (122nd, 21:54).

Individual: Jessica Furst, Wesley Chapel, 30th in Class 3A, 19:55.

Boys

Individuals: Felix Soto, Land O' Lakes, sixth in Class 3A, 16:04; Ryan Pulsifer, Wiregrass Ranch, 37th in Class 2A, 17:17.

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