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Will To Win Drives Grey To Succeed

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By LARRY BUGG Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - Ariel Grey doesn't look or act like she has a "killer instinct" but Coach Don Howard says it is there.

The Wiregrass Ranch freshman cross country runner is a nice person under normal circumstances.

The "killer instinct" shows up when she is running a race. Then the desire kicks in and she doesn't normally let the other girl find that finish line first.

"She has a little mean streak in her," Howard said. "She is nice. The kids in cross country really do encourage each other.

"She is tough. She wants to win. If she is even with someone with 150 to 200 meters to go, my money is on her."

Grey has this thing about finishing first in a race. It's pretty common among the better athletes and allows her to pick up plenty of trophies, titles and ribbons.

"I just don't like to lose," Grey said. "I really don't. I just want to go out and beat the person I am racing."

Her "killer instinct" helped Grey earn the The Tampa Tribune's Pasco County Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year award.

She won her district title and the Sunshine Athletic Conference race at Starkey Park during the cross country season.

That's not bad for a freshman.

Howard knows why she is so successful at a young age.

"She has natural ability," Howard said. "She is one of those girls who are natural athletes.

"She is tough. She doesn't mind hurting. She knows how to get into a zone. She has mental toughness as well as natural ability."

Top athletes are a challenge but Howard is happy to be able to coach Grey.

"I feel very blessed," the coach said. "I have had one other female runner who is in her category. It is great to have a kid to challenge you. You have to develop the elite runner."

Howard said he plans to increase her running workload each year with the intent of getting her to win a state cross country title.

Grey has three years to achieve that goal and Howard plans to take things slow to get her there.

One of the things Howard enjoys about Grey is that she is coachable.

"She does what you ask her to do," Howard said. "Some kids don't show up for practice. She doesn't take practices off. She is not someone who cuts corners.

Grey said that her older sister, Nichole, inspires her in sports. Nichole has thrown 101 feet in the discus and 30 feet in the shot put.

Grey has her own dreams. Besides winning a state title, she wants to attend Harvard University and become a lawyer who specializes in defending athletes.

If one can believe her coach, don't bet against Ariel Grey making all of her dreams come true.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY FIRST TEAM

Ariel Grey, Wiregrass Ranch

Jessica Furst, Wesley Chapel

Leeann Eble, Pasco

Jaci Pustelnik, Gulf

Brittnie Bennett, Gulf

Courtney McAuliffe, Gulf

Lindsey Guercio, River Ridge

Coach of the Year: Don Howard, Wiregrass Ranch

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