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Chamberlain Faces Tough Foes In State Meet

Tribune photo by BILL WARD

Mark Parrish (center) is one of the runners the Chamberlain is counting on in Saturday's 4A state meet.

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By BILL WARD | TBO.com

Published: November 19, 2008

TAMPA - No one has to tell the members of Chamberlain's boys cross country team about the adverse effects of pressure. At last season's Class 3A-Region 2 meet, the stress of trying to reach the state finals got to the Chiefs.

Running one of their less memorable races of the year, the Chiefs wound up in eighth place – two spots from state qualification -- and only sophomore Mark Parrish advanced to the finals, as an individual qualifier.

Little wonder that was on their minds Saturday at Polk Community College in the regional meet at Winter Haven. This time, the stress was worse because Chamberlain was the boys favorite.

Despite carrying that burden and not turning in a particularly strong showing, the Chiefs produced the regional crown by edging rival Plant by 11 points.

"Last year's meet was weighing on everybody because we didn't want to have a repeat of it," said Parrish, a junior who was the Chiefs' top finisher Saturday in fifth place. "l still think it affected our race a little bit but having made it and getting there will help us have a positive attitude."

"Made it and getting there" means advancing to Saturday's 4A state championships at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. Chamberlain, which has worked its way up to the No. 2 spot in the 4A state rankings, will take on a Tallahassee Leon squad some coaches have called "unbeatable."

But just like Jesuit's boys (2A), Wharton's girls (3A) and Berkeley Prep's boys (1A) – three other regional winners from the area not favored to win the state title -- the Chiefs believe anything is possible come race day.

"You're in a cross country race and you have to forget about what the papers say, the statistics say, the rankings," said Chamberlain senior Chase Nelson. "Although there's some truth to all that, you have to believe anything can happen or why run."

Chase's twin brother, Brad, says the key is to remain focused on who they are chasing – Leon – and not be satisfied with simply reaching the state finals.

"We need to stick with them the first two miles and at least give ourselves a chance," Brad said. "If we can get things to connect, things can happen. Teams can snap under the pressure. We know that firsthand."

Chiefs coach Bill Strack says he's still waiting for his entire squad to put together a perfect race. Last week, senior Charles Toledo came through with a 10th-place effort and freshman Max Del Monte was also strong at 18th. But Parrish said he felt out of sorts the entire race and the twins said it wasn't the top performance, either.

"If they can all run their best race on the same day, then we have a chance," Strack said. "We haven't done that yet, but I know they can and they believe they can."

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