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Cross Country State Meet Info Box

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Published: November 19, 2008

All races take place Saturday morning at Little Everglades Ranch, Dade City

Class 1A
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. (girls), 10:20 (boys)
AREA TEAMS QUALIFIED: Girls — Northside Christian, Keswick, Shorecrest Prep. Boys — Berkeley Prep, Shorecrest Prep.
AREA INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED: Boys — Josh Johnson, Indian Rocks Christian.
WATCH FOR: Teams — Community School of Naples, ranked among the best squads in the Southeast and the defending 1A champion, is the overwhelming favorite to win the girls title. In the boys race, Winter Park Trinity Prep and Melbourne Holy Trinity, which tied on points for first place last year, should battle for the top spot again. Berkeley Prep, however, could earn a spot on the podium with a top-two finish. Individuals — Two-time defending state champion Kayla Hale of Holy Trinity can become one of just a handful of runners who have won three titles if she wins Saturday, but she should be pushed by Community School's Kathryn Fleur. The boys race is a wide-open affair, but North Florida Christian's Whitney Strickland, last year's runner-up, is considered the favorite.

Class 2A
WHEN: 7:30 a.m. (girls), 8:20 (boys)
AREA TEAMS QUALIFIED: Girls — Academy of the Holy Names, Wiregrass Ranch, Clearwater Central Catholic. Boys — Jesuit, Robinson, Wiregrass Ranch.
AREA INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED: Girls — Meghan Sullivan, Jacqueline Fricia, Tampa Catholic; Lexie Goldberger, Robinson; Leeann Eble, Pasco. Boys — Tobias Probst, Clearwater Central Catholic; Kenny Fessel, Sunlake; Anthony Plourde, Pasco.
WATCH FOR: Teams — Jacksonville teams Bolles and Bishop Kenny have been fighting for the top spot in 2A girls all season. In the boys meet, defending champion Miami Belen and Bishop Kenny are the favorites, but Jesuit could make the podium with a standout effort. Individuals — It could be a tight girls race between 2007 runner-up Joane Pierre of Immokalee, Stephanie Strasser of Fernandina Beach, Stephanie Schappert of Miami Pope John Paul and Sarah Davis of Bishop Kenny. The boys favorite is Bishop Kenny's Michael Wallace, but several, including Jesuit senior Connor Revord, have a shot.

Class 3A
WHEN: 7:55 a.m. (girls), 8:45 (boys)
AREA TEAMS QUALIFIED: Girls — Wharton, Newsome, Plant, Land O'Lakes. Boys — Chamberlain, Plant, Newsome, Land O'Lakes, Wharton.
AREA INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED: Girls – Jessica Furst, Wesley Chapel. Boys -- Gilbert Vasquez, Armwood.
WATCH FOR: Teams — Tallahassee Chiles and defending champions Satellite are expected to contend for the top spot in the girls meet, but Wharton could reach the podium if either team slips. Defending boys champion Tallahassee Leon is expected to repeat, but Chamberlain will be gunning for an upset, as will Plant. Individuals — Satellite senior Juliana Stern enters the race ranked No. 1 in 3A girls, but she should be challenged by Chiles' Lily Williams and Carley Thomas, as well as her own teammate, defending champion Ashley Shiver, and Lake Region's Sydney Devore. In the boys race, defending champion Matt Mizereck of Leon is the one to beat, but he should be pushed by teammate Will Stanford, Plant's Trenor Wilkins, Felix Soto of Land O'Lakes and Chamberlain's Mark Parrish.

Class 4A
WHEN: 9:05 a.m. (girls), 9:55 (boys)
AREA TEAMS QUALIFIED: Girls — Palm Harbor University, Gaither. Boys — Sickles, Largo, Countryside.
AREA INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED: Girls — Kelli Williams, Mitchell; Katherine McMeekan, East Lake; Grace VanDeGrift, Durant. Boys — John Mitchell, Durant; Bryan Reynolds, St. Petersburg.
WATCH FOR: Teams — Although it was upset by defending state champion Jacksonville Bartram Trail last week in the regional, Winter Park is favored to win the girls title. Miami Lourdes is also a contender. In the boys meet, defending champion Melbourne has not lost to a 4A school on this course. Orlando Dr. Phillips is hoping to change that. Individuals — Wellington's Ashley Brasovan is attempting to become only the third girl in Florida to win four consecutive prep state crowns. She is the strong favorite once again. In the boys race, defending champion Brian Atkinson of Melbourne is the one to beat, but he should have stiff competition from Sickles' Derek Wehunt, Bartram Trail's Chris Dendor and Miami Columbus' Armando Del Valle.

Compiled by Bill Ward

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