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Price's Leadership Stands Out At Berkeley Prep

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By JEFFREY JONES, Tribune correspondent

Published: September 10, 2007

Berkeley Prep's Page Price is one of Hillsborough County's best distance runners, helping her school finish third in the cross country state meet last year.

She also holds the school record in the 5k with a 19:42.

But ask Berkeley coach Eileen Daly what her best attribute is and she won't tell you about her speed but rather about her leadership.

'Page has done a great job bringing along the younger girls, and focusing on the team,' Daly said. 'She does a great job keeping everyone together and running as a pack.

'She's dedicated, she calls everybody when they get together to run on the weekends.'

Outside of school and practice, Price has a close-knit relationship with her teammates, whether hanging out or studying together, and that is of utmost importance in order for a team to be successful, according to Daly.

'One thing I've learned about coaching girls, if they don't get along and have that team unity, you lose something,' Daly said. 'We call ourselves our little family. The first goal is to be a team, and if you're not a team first, it makes winning very difficult.'

That family-type atmosphere is exactly what Price likes most about cross country.

'We're all best friends, and that really keeps me going,' Price said. 'I love the team, they're my family.'

Aside from being a reliable teammate and motivator, Price is a fiery competitor as well.

'Page always trains hard and is always intense,' Daly said. 'When she's running intervals and doing her workouts, she's completely focused and totally there.'

Price might have inherited that type of dedication from her dad, Doug Price, who made the Olympic team in the shot put in 1980, but was prevented from participating because of the United States boycott of the Moscow Games.

Price also wants to follow in her dad's footsteps and attend Brown University.

'My dad is in the hall of fame there,' Price said. 'I think it would be cool to be in there with him.'

But, ultimately, what matters most to Price is the success of her team.

'My goal this year is to help out the team, and help them improve,' she said.

GIRLS

Top 5 Individuals

1. Page Price (Berkeley Prep): Finished third at region, 21st at state last season.

2. Katrina Skinner (Wharton): More of a track runner, but fast regardless.

3. Madison Clark (Plant): No. 1 runner this year now that Moreno is not running.

4. Olivia D'Angelo (Berkeley Prep): Ran strongly in Gainesville last weekend .

5. Kathia Skinner (Wharton): Runs the 800 meters in track.

TOP 5 GIRLS TEAMS

1. Berkeley Prep: With Price leading the way, one of the top teams in the state.

2. Plant: Moreno not running this year, but still one of the area's best teams.

3. Wharton: Skinner twins are a dynamic 1-2 punch.

4. Sickles: Gryphons need to rebound from losing top four from 2006 state meet.

5. Academy of the Holy Names: Only lost one runner from state meet team.

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