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Chiefs Seek To Apply Pressure At State

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By BILL WARD

wward@tampatrib.com

Published: November 20, 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 3A state championships at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. Chamberlain, which has worked its way up to the No. 2 spot in the 3A 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," Chamberlain senior Chase Nelson said. "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."

State Cross Country Championships

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, Clearwater Central Catholic. Boys - Jesuit, Robinson.

AREA INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED: Girls - Meghan Sullivan, Jacqueline Fricia, Tampa Catholic; Lexie Goldberger, Robinson. Boys - Tobias Probst, Clearwater Central Catholic.

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.

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

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