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Franks Is A Good Fit For Wharton High Track Team

Tribune photo by BILL WARD

Alyssa Franks (center) has found a renewed spirit for running since transferring to Wharton.

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By BILL WARD

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2008

TAMPA - If you ask Alyssa Franks how she likes running cross country at Wharton High, be prepared for a joyous response.

"It's just awesome," Franks said with an ear-to-ear smile. "I love running with the girls here and pushing myself harder than I've ever pushed myself."

Once accepted into the school's sports marketing program, Franks admits she thought long and hard about transferring to Wharton High for her senior year. She had attended nearby Freedom the three previous years and during that time had built friendships and bonds.

But when it came to her running, Franks, who was Hillsborough County's fastest performer at last year's state finals with her 12th-place showing in the Class 3A meet, had become frustrated with training mostly on her own at Freedom. Yes, she had a few teammates there but when it came to serious workouts, she either ran with the boys or on her own.

After several days of weighing the pros and cons of the transfer, Franks decided to make the leap to Wharton. Even though the two schools are less than 5 miles apart and her boyfriend, Andrew Clifford, is the quarterback on Wharton's varsity football team, Franks said she was still apprehensive about the move.

"I was like freaking out the night before school, I was so scared," Franks said. "The people at Freedom, I had known since like preschool so I was really nervous leaving all that."

Fortunately for Franks, she had a comfort zone waiting for her at Wharton. It was her new teammates on the cross country team. She had trained with them during the summer, which included a running camp in North Carolina. Even though Franks had been their rival the past three years, the Wildcats accepted her into their tight-knit group.

"She just fit in and got along with everybody," said Wharton junior Shannon Meggs. "It was easy making her part of our team."

Wharton junior Erin Bailey was expected to be the Wildcats' No. 1 runner this fall but will now have serious competition for that spot from Franks. Bailey, however, says owning that top spot is less important than improving herself and her team.

"She makes us better and it really doesn't really matter about my position on the team, it's about my times," Bailey said. "If my times improve and I'm No. 6 on varsity, I couldn't care less."

Wharton coach Wes Newton said he was initially worried his distance runners - which he says are so close they're practically a family - might ostracize Franks. He was also unsure whether Franks could handle the intensity of the training his teams endure. By the end of the summer, however, Newton says Franks had made the transition.

"Alyssa has fit in really well and that's a credit to her," Newton said. "She hasn't missed a minute of practice, she never makes excuses and she trains her tail off. What I can't wait to see is how fast she can be doing all this work with a group supporting her this year."

Franks can hardly wait for the Wildcats' first big meet of the season, Sept. 27 at the FSU Invitational.

"I'm really excited to run and be competitive as a team," Franks said. "I've never really experienced that."

GIRLS TEAMS AND RUNNERS TO WATCH

Hillsborough County 2008 preseason rankings

TOP 5 TEAMS

1. Wharton: The addition of all-state performer Alyssa Franks puts Wildcats on top.

2. Newsome: Led by Sydney Coates, the Wolves have the depth and talent to challenge any team in the area.

3. Plant: Always-strong Panthers have two solid front runners and good numbers.

4. Berkeley Prep: Expect the Buccaneers to once again be among the state's top Class 1A programs.

5. Sickles: Gryphons return solid core from last year's state-qualifying squad.

TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS

1. Grace VanDeGrift, So., Durant: Talented runner looking strong after coming off a standout track season

2. Alyssa Franks, Sr., Wharton: Had the county's fastest 5k time (19:27) and highest finish (12th) at last year's state finals.

3. Olivia D'Angelo, Sr., Berkeley Prep: Cracked top 15 of 1A state meet with county's second-best time (19:34).

4. Kayla Kennedy, Jr., Plant: Last year's district champion has put away soccer ball and made running her full-time sport.

5. Erin Bailey, Jr., Wharton: Consistent runner who finished in the top 15 at last year's 3A state finals.

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

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