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After A Little R&R, Revord Is Ready To Run

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By BILL WARD

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2008

TAMPA Watching members of the Jesuit High football team head out for practice, Connor Revord admitted there's still a part of him that wants to be out there wearing pads and a helmet.

But then he stops to think about being a collegiate athlete. And that's when Revord says he realizes his future has been built on distance running, not catching a football.

Yes, Revord gave serious consideration to playing football this fall for the Tigers. At 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, he was probably going to try out at wide receiver. But each time he talked to a college track coach - coaches who now are trying to lure this gifted middle-distance runner to their school - Revord was asked about his plans this fall for his senior year of cross country.

"I think college coaches like to see that you have the range to move up in distance because in college, you're going to run 8 and 10 kilometer races," said Revord, who last weekend made an official recruiting visit to Penn State University. "So, I feel like I still have to come out and prove I can run the 5k with the best in the state."

Revord certainly has done that the past three years.

He has earned all-state honors in Class 2A each season, including last year's fifth-place performance at the state meet. And although he had a solid performance last spring in track, taking second in both the 800- and 1,600-meter runs and leading Jesuit to a gold medal in 3,200 relay, he had a serious bout with bronchitis shortly afterward.

The illness slowed him for prestigious postseason meets like the Nike Outdoor Nationals, where he finished 21st in the mile run, and Golden West, where he was unable to finish the 3,200. Eventually, Revord was forced to stop running for three weeks.

Revord now believes it was a much-needed rest that not only allowed him to recover fully, but also allowed him to recharge his enthusiasm for running and to think about his future in the sport.

"Running 11 months out of the year, year after year, it can wear on you," Revord said. "But after the time off, I was ready to come back. I was able to heal up and get back to 100 percent again."

Without Revord, Jesuit still boasts standout senior Jordan Schilit and would remain one of the state's best squads in 2A. But with him, the Tigers are a serious contender to take the school's fifth team championship in the sport. Revord is also in strong position to win the 2A individual crown. If he can do that and lead the Tigers to the first-place team trophy, it would mark the first time in school history the Tigers have managed that double.

Tigers cross country coach Greg Maurin said he never tried to sway Revord away from playing football. But Maurin says he did ask for someone to influence Revord.

"I prayed a lot that he would come back," Maurin says with a smile. "We might have had a shot at the state title without him but our odds are a lot better with him."

BOYS TEAMS AND RUNNERS TO WATCH

Hillsborough County 2008 preseason rankings

TOP 5 TEAMS

1. Jesuit: Tigers return the bulk of last year's team that finished third in Class 2A state finals and boast good depth.

2. Plant: Led by standout junior Trenor Wilkins, Panthers are one of the state's top 3A squads and could contend for No..1 in the county.

3. Newsome: Wolves return solid top four runners from last year's state qualifying squad.

4. Chamberlain: Chiefs boast two strong frontrunners that should lead team to state finals.

5. Wharton: Paced by star senior John Grellner, Wildcats will be among state's best teams once again.

TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS

1. Derek Wehunt, Sr., Sickles: Undefeated against all Hillsborough County runners last season, should contend for 4A individual state title.

2. Connor Revord, Sr., Jesuit: Aiming for a fourth consecutive all-state performance in 2A and his first individual state crown.

3. Mark Parrish, Jr., Chamberlain: Boasted area's top individual finish at last year's state finals, taking fourth in 3A at 15:58.

4. Jordan Schilit, Sr., Jesuit: Has made the jump to state's elite level since last season's strong 15th-place finish at the 2A state finals.

5. Keegan Bixler, Sr., Newsome: Consistent all-state performer was 10th at last year's 3A state meet.

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at (813) 259-7456 or wward@tampatrib.com.

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