TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Grey, Soto, Wiregrass Ranch Girls, Boys Win First Meet

ADVERTISEMENT

By LARRY BUGG

Tribune Correspondent

Published: September 15, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - There was general mirth and laughter Monday at the Wiregrass Ranch High football field.

Both the Wiregrass Ranch High boys and girls cross country teams were celebrating winning their first home meet. The girls beat Land O' Lakes 27-58 and the boys beat Land O' Lakes 39-53.

Wiregrass Ranch boys coach Chris Loth was very happy since the Gator boys rarely lose a team meet in Pasco County and they are generally considered the top team in the county.

"It's a good win,'' Loth said. "It's good for our program."

According to Wiregrass girls coach Don Howard, Land O' Lakes coach Kris Keppel told him he was going to hold back his runners in their first race.

"I'm certainly happy with the team victory, I don't put a lot of weight in it,'' Howard said. "Zak Lukas (next Saturday at Hernando High School) is going to be a race Saturday morning. I was very pleased with the girls. I think the top five were all in the top 10. It's hot on a Monday. I'm happy with where they are at."

Land O' Lakes senior Felix Soto won the boys race with a time of 16:59, while Wiregrass sophomore Ryan Pulsifer, who led much of the race, finished second with a time of 17:26.

"I was just looking for a good workout,'' said Soto, a senior. "Kris told us to hold back. I've got to help the team for the first two miles. It's not always about me. It's not always about winning. The coach said it's about getting the team together. I felt comfortable."

Pulsifer didn't feel bad about losing to Soto.

"He had an amazing kick,'' Pulsifer said. "He is an amazing runner. I don't feel bad losing to him. Second is fine to me."

Keppel said he thought Soto, Matt Schwartz (third) and Jake Morken (fifth) all ran too fast although they were told to hold back.

There were no surprises in the girls race. Wiregrass Ranch sophomore Ariel Grey won as expected with a time of 20:56. Wesley Chapel's Jessica Furst was second with a 21:41. Pasco High 's ace harrier, LeeAnn Eble, missed the race due to a course that night at Pasco-Hernando Community College.

"It feels pretty humid, but I think I did a pretty good race today,'' said Grey, who fell shortly after crossing the finish line. "I think it's the rises and falls of this place. I have been practicing here so much I should be used to it. I do wish I had LeeAnn out here because she is somebody who is able to push me. I don't feel the pain as much. I feel like I am a better runner this year.

"My time was respectable, but I wanted to run 20:20 today. I like courses with a longer loop."

Furst is getting used to the heat of Florida. She came to Wesley Chapel last year from Idaho.

"I'm feeling good,'' Furst said. "I trained like half the summer."

Wiregrass Ranch Cross Country Results

Girls team scores
Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch 27, Land O' Lakes 58, Brooksville Central 68, Dade City Pasco 115, Wesley Chapel 157, Zephyrhills 171, Land O' Lakes Sunlake 213

Girls Top 5 Individuals
1. Ariel Grey, Wiregrass Ranch, 20:56; 2.Jessica Furst, Wesley Chapel, 21:41; 3. Megan Ibison, Wiregrass Ranch 21:51; 4. Mikayla Bogulski, Brooksville Central 21:56; 5. Kelsey Sturman, Wiregrass Ranch, 22:23.

Boys team scores
Wiregrass Ranch 39, Land O' Lakes 53, Brooksville Central 87, Dade City Pasco 98, Sunlake 100, Zephyrhills 257, Wesley Chapel 257.

Boys Top 5 Individuals
1. Felix Soto, Land O' Lakes 16:59; 2. Ryan Pulsifer, Wiregrass Ranch 17:26; 3. Matt Schwartz, Land O' Lakes 17:33; 4. Kenny Fessel, Sunlake 17:33; 5. Jake Morken, Land O' Lakes 17:45.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT