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Wharton Girls Favored At Districts

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By JEFFREY JONES, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 18, 2007

With district championships commencing later this month, teams around the Tampa Bay area are gearing up for intense competition that will decide which runners will go home exhausted, and which will advance to the next level with a renewed sense of enthusiasm.

The Wharton girls, led by twins Katrina and Kathia Skinner, are favored to repeat this year as district 3A-3 champs, and expected to make the trip next month to the state finals in Dade City.
Wharton as a team finished sixth overall last year, with only Plant having a higher finish locally (fourth place) in 3A.

The Wildcats have been solid so far in 2007, recently placing first in the Track Shack Race at the Fl.runners.com 8 Invitational, with the sisters finishing first (Katrina) and fourth (Kathia). .

But Coach Wes Newton likes the Wildcats' chances based upon the squad's chemistry, rather than just the performance of his top two runners. The more a team bonds with one another, the better they coincide during a competition, according to Newton.

'They do everything together - they eat together, go to class together, go out on weekends together,' Newton said. 'Five people can run together faster than five people individually.'

The No. 3 runner for the Wildcats is sophomore Erin Bailey, who has done quite well for herself in the season, finishing 11th in 20:32 at the Flrunners.com Invitational.

'She's run faster than she did last year, and has been very solid for her team,' Newton said

Following Bailey is senior Brittany Hilliker at the No. 4 position, and Shannon Meggs rounding out the top five.

Pacing is important in order for a team to be successful, Newton said, and the coach harps on the technique constantly.

But Newton isn't the sole adviser for his team. Sometimes an experienced teammate can step up and show the younger girls on the squad proper leadership.

That is exactly what the Skinner twins do, reciprocating what a former teammate and state champion did for them last year.

Teona Rodgers, a former high school All-American at Wharton, now runs track at Florida State.

She used her skills and leadership to help guide the twins last year, and according to Newton, the girls want to follow in her footsteps, and possibly attend the same university.

Student-turned teacher Katrina in particular has been running exceptionally well this season, and the best may be yet to come for the Wildcat senior.

'She hasn't run her best race yet,' Newton said. 'I want her to PR on the 17th of November at the state meet.'

Newton believes that if his girls continue on their current progressive track, they will be fine during districts.

'If they run the way they've been working, they will be very competitive,' Newton said.

NEWSOME RUNNING WELL: Another team looking very strong heading into districts is the Newsome boys, led by Keegan Bixler, who recently finished third at the King Invitational.

Wolves coach Orlando Greene expects his No. 1 runner to fare very well in the upcoming races, when his contribution will be crucial to his team's success.

'We expect Keegan to finish in the Top 10 at districts,' Greene said.

According to Greene, the biggest competition in the district for Bixler and the rest of his teammates will come from Plant and Chamberlain. The Chiefs are led by Mark Parrish, who finished in first place last week at King - ahead of Bixler.

The girls team, led by No. 1 runner Sydney Coates, seem to be on the right track as the season winds down.

'I think the girls are just where they want to be, and I think we're getting better,' Greene said.

Greene also believes running in Wednesday's county championships was beneficial for the development and confidence of his teams.

'We're in championship mode, so we will use the race as a springboard into districts,' Greene said.

FIRST CRUSADERS: Seffner Christian will not be attending district competition this year because the school is in its first year of fielding a team.

According to Seffner Christian athletic director Andy Holmes, the school doesn't take the addition of the sport lightly. The Crusaders intend to fully support the program, and put in a serious effort to achieve success.

'When we add a sport here, we don't add it to just add it,' Holmes said. 'We want to actually compete in it.'

'It's a chance for more athletes to participate, and help our athletes get ready for soccer and basketball, too.'

First-year coach Wayne Karlson was surprised at the number of students who decided to try out for the team.

'We didn't expect a huge turnout, but we had about 23 kids come out,' Karlson said. 'For a lot of these kids, its their first time in a running program.'

We're doing real well and getting better every week.'

The Crusaders will participate in about eight meets this year to give the young runners the experience they need.

'A lot of these kids didn't know what running was all about, about competing, and a lot of them are still trying to figure out how to pace themselves,' Karlson said.

'They will eventually get a lot faster.'

Karlson said he believes the Crusaders will be on a higher competitive level within the next two years.

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