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King's White Making Time For Running

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By BILL WARD

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2008

Like most high school students enrolled in an international baccalaureate (IB) program, King junior Hilary White doesn't have a lot of time for extracurricular activities. Between things like writing essays, studying hours on end and attending classes for this often demanding pre-university curriculum, there just isn't much time to do things like play sports or participate in clubs.

But after a long talk with her King coach, Gary Bingham, and attending a running camp in North Carolina last summer, White decided she was going to make room for running long distance. Her parents even hired her a personal trainer to help her get stronger and avoid injuries.

Now, after a solid base of steady miles (as much as 50 miles per week), White has emerged as one of Hillsborough County's top girls runners. She opened the season by winning her first individual title at the Central Hillsborough Invitational and followed that with another victory at Saturday's Don Bishop Invitational in Brandon.

"I worked really hard this summer because I've decided this is my sport, and I'm going to take it seriously," White said. "It's hard running and being an IB student but I've made the time.

"It's been difficult every step of the way. My studies always come first, but I'm very diligent about getting a run in every day."

Bingham attributes White's success to a mix of talent, determination and a love of running. It's a far cry from last spring's track season, when a vitamin deficiency - a condition discovered late in the campaign - slowed her the entire time.

Now strong and committed to the sport, White could lead King's girls to their first state meet qualification in years. Individually, she would make the state finals if she finishes in the top 15 at regional. Bingham believes White is just starting to realize her potential.

"I don't think she gives herself enough credit for how good she can be," Bingham said. "What excites me is she is running some very good times without anyone having pushed her yet."

PARRISH AIMING FOR FSU: Like White, Chamberlain junior Mark Parrish has enjoyed a good start to his season, taking the top individual spots at the Central Hillsborough and Don Bishop meets. For Parrish, the county's fastest finisher in all classes at last year's state meet, the wins were virtual jogs in the park.

Saturday, however, Parrish will get his first major test when he heads to Tallahassee to compete in the FSU Invitational at the Miccosukee Greenway.

"This one Don Bishop was kind of an intermediate. I took it hard for the first half of the race and then just paced it in from there," Parrish said after the race. "Next week, there's not going to be any pacing, I'm going all out."

GRACE TO DEBUT: Durant sophomore Grace VanDeGrift is finally back running and is expected to compete in her first race of the season at Monday's Ron Frost Invitational on her home course at Durant High.

VanDeGrift was a state medal winner in track last season for both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs but has been unable to run until recently due to pain in her lower leg. After a few weeks of cross-training, her father, Ty VanDeGrift, says she's "ready to roll."

Until she gets a race or two under her belt, we're going to hold VanDeGrift out of this week's Tribune individual rankings. She began the year at the No. 1 spot and will no doubt return to the top five once she's able to compete.

W.D. JOHNSON SET TO RUN: The annual W.D. Johnson Invitational, hosted by East Bay High, will be staged Saturday at scenic E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin. Action begins at 8:30 a.m. with the girls varsity race, followed by the boys varsity at 9. There's also two junior varsity races (9:30 for girls, 10 for boys) and an awards ceremony (10:30 a.m.)

FROST MEET RESCHEDULED: Durant High's annual Ron Frost Invitational cross country meet has been rescheduled to Monday at the school, Cougars athletic director Christina Raburn announced.

The meet originally was slated for Tuesday but due to scheduling conflicts at Durant, was moved to Monday. The meet will still start at 6 p.m. with the girls varsity race, followed by boys varsity and a combined boys and girls junior varsity race.

The change in schedule could force some schools to choose between the Ron Frost meet and Saturday morning's W.D. Johnson Invitational, hosted by East Bay at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin. With just two days between races, some coaches will feel that's too close to give their runners adequate recovery time.

Hillsborough Cross Country Rankings

BOYS

TOP 5 TEAMS

1. Jesuit: Tigers show they have depth to cover the injuries of two varsity runners by taking second at Mountain Dew Invitational.

2. Plant: Panthers' five scorers all crack 18 minutes on a difficult UF golf course to take third at Mountain Dew meet.

3. Chamberlain: Chiefs win Don Bishop Invitational with four of their scoring five in the top 10.

4. Berkeley Prep: Bucs boys debut with an impressive fourth-place finish at Mountain Dew, the top finish of any Class 1A team.

5. Newsome: Even without No. 1 man Keegan Bixler, Wolves take sixth at the Elite Running Invitational.

TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS

1. Connor Revord, Sr., Jesuit: Blasted final 200 meters to take Mountain Dew meet in convincing style.

2. Derek Wehunt, Sr., Sickles: Did much of the work at Mountain Dew by leading the way until Revord and Belen runner passed him in the final mile.

3. Mark Parrish, Jr., Chamberlain: Standout Chiefs runner is 2-for-2 with wins at Central Hillsborough and Don Bishop invitationals.

4. Trenor Wilkins, Jr., Plant: Makes a splash at season opener by taking fourth at Mountain Dew meet.

5. Tyler Greathouse, Jr., Berkeley Prep: Bucs' star runner shows his fitness and experience with a strong seventh-place finish at Mountain Dew.

GIRLS

TOP 5 TEAMS

1. Wharton: After winning Zak Lucas meet Saturday, Wildcats are still undefeated and looking strong.

2. Newsome: Wolves' top three run tight pack to lead them to fourth place at Elite Running Invitational.

3. Plant: Panthers idle last week but return to action at FSU on Saturday.

4. Berkeley Prep: Bucs take seventh place at Mountain Dew meet, second-best among 1A teams.

5. Sickles: Gryphons earn sixth at Elite Running Invitational - within shouting distance of Newsome.

TOP 5 INDIVIDUALS

1. Alyssa Franks, Sr., Wharton: Takes second at Zak Lucas meet behind 3A state runner-up Tori Lawson of Ocala Vanguard.

2. Erin Bailey, Jr., Wharton: A strong seventh-place at Zak Lucas meet.

3. Olivia D'Angelo, Sr., Berkeley Prep: Opens her season with a top-15 effort at Mountain Dew meet.

4. Kayla Kennedy, Jr., Plant: Won season-opening Western Hillsborough meet.

5. Hilary White, Jr., King: Lions standout is 2-for-2 after wins at Central Hillsborough and Don Bishop meets.

NOTE: Due to the great variance in cross country courses, rankings (through Wednesday) are based largely on head-to-head competition and overall performances - not times.

Compiled by Bill Ward

Tribune correspondent Jeffrey Jones contributed to this report. Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at (813) 259-7456 or wward@tampatrib.com.

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