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Smiles Go Miles For D'Angelo

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By BILL WARD

wward@tampatrib.com

Published: November 6, 2008

Before last week's Hillsborough County Cross Country Championships, Olivia D'Angelo was in a funk, at least when it came to running. It is her senior year at Berkeley Prep, and she said the stress of the final months in high school was affecting her running.

Then she said she remembered why she was so successful last fall, when she earned all-state honors with a 14th-place finish at the Class 1A state meet: She was having fun.

The key to that, D'Angelo said, is to remember to smile.

"I know that sounds a little weird, but I just started smiling again," D'Angelo said. "Having fun really helps."

From the looks of her third-place finish at the county championships, smiles go miles for D'Angelo. She went out with the leaders, maintained a strong pace and closed strong to finish third in a season-best 5k time of 19:28. Along the way, D'Angelo flashed that smile of hers - even when she was nearly knocked down by a spectator's dog.

"Before today, I think was taking things a little too seriously," D'Angelo said afterward. "At last month's Pre-State meet, I was trying to be all focused and serious and I realize now I just need to let loose, enjoy it and have fun again."

OUT OF NOWHERE: Until Tuesday's county championships, Academy of Holy Names junior Selena Castillo was known for her skills on the basketball court. Last season, the Jaguars' starting point guard was among the county leaders in steals.

But then, almost out of nowhere, Castillo finished fifth with a 5k time (20:03) that smashed her lifetime best. More importantly, she beat some of the county's top runners.

Jaguars coach Ray Rodriquez said he was expecting something special from Castillo this fall. He just wasn't sure when it would come.

"She's just a very, very competitive person," Rodriquez said. "She has no fear - not of the course or the other runners in the race."

The hard part to believe is Castillo, who has also played volleyball and softball for Academy, is doing this with little training. Apart from what she did on the basketball court, she didn't log big miles during the summer. And even though there are three weeks left in the cross country season, she's taking time out to practice with the Jaguars basketball team.

PARRISH BACK IN FORM: After a fall from his bicycle hampered his performance at the Pre-State meet, Chamberlain junior Mark Parrish appears to be back to the form that propelled him to a great showing in last year's postseason meets.

Parrish was a solid second at the county meet, behind Sickles star Derek Wehunt and just ahead of Plant standout Trenor Wilkins. More importantly, he and teammates Chase Nelson (10th) and Charles Toledo (18th) led the Chiefs to second place behind 2A power Jesuit and are making the squad look like a strong contender for a top-five showing - or better - at the 3A state finals.

"That bike injury was a little annoying at Pre-State, because I really wanted to run faster and finish better against the competition there," Parrish said. "But this county meet was great for me and the team. It was good to feel excited and totally ready to race again."

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at (813) 259-7456.

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