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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 10, 2009

Sickles' Wehunt Picks Florida

Sickles distance running standout Derek Wehunt, the Tampa Tribune's Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2006 and 2007, has made a verbal commitment to the University of Florida.

"I've always wanted to run there and the last recruiting trip pretty much sealed it for me," said Wehunt, who established a course record last fall when he won the prestigious flrunners.com Invitational. "Coach Todd Morgan is really cool and looking at the guys running there now, they've made a lot of improvements."

Morgan, a former assistant coach at the University of South Florida, led the Gator men to fourth at last fall's NCAA South Regional Championships. Morgan's Lady Gators were second in the South Regional and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA finals, where they finished 17th.

Wehunt has earned first team all-county honors the past three years and was a second team selection his freshman season. He has also earned all-state honors in both cross country and track.

Wehunt's twin brother, Dan, could also wind up at Florida. Dan is still planning an official recruiting visit to USF and has also received interest from Florida Southern College.

JESUIT'S SCHILIT SELECTS

HAVERFORD: Jesuit distance running star Jordan Schilit, a first-team member of the Tampa Tribune's all-Hillsborough County cross country team last season, has made a commitment to Haverford College, an extremely selective liberal arts school in the Philadelphia suburbs.

"This was my first choice for college, so I am thrilled to attend this excellent institution," said Schilit, who helped the Tigers to second place in the Class 2A state cross country finals. "As a student, I want to attend a high-caliber liberal arts institution that is recognized internationally. As an athlete, my goals are to be part of a team's national championship and to be recognized as both an All-American and Academic All-American runner."

Under longtime Haverford coach Tom Donnelly, Schilit has a good chance of reaching those goals. Haverford, a Division III school, has produced 62 regional and conference championships, 113 all-Americans and 24 individual NCAA champions. For the past two years, Haverford's cross country and track teams have won the National All-Academic Team award.

Haverford has never won the NCAA team title, but the Fords finished second in 2007 and already have 10 commitments for next season's squad.

Schilit was an all-state performer in cross country last fall, finishing 15th in the 2A finals. In track last spring, Schilit came back from an early-season stress fracture to finish sixth in the state meet's 3,200 meters.

SUNLAKE PLAYS SAMARITAN: The Sunlake boys basketball team will travel to Gainesville to participate in the Samaritan's Feet Foundation Children's Shoe Drive on Jan. 17.

After watching the University of Florida play Arkansas at 2 p.m., the Seahawks will take on Gainesville St. Francis Catholic High School at 5 p.m. at St. Francis. The Wolves, who are ranked fifth in Class 1A, feature the son of UF men's coach Billy Donovan. The younger Donovan, also named Billy, is a junior guard and one of the Wolves' team captains.

Following in the footsteps of many of the college coaches who have participated in this event, Sunlake's Bob Marinak and St. Francis' John Siers will coach without shoes.

It's an effort to draw attention to the many children in the world who go without shoes daily. Each high school involved has been collecting shoes and will send the donated items to the foundation.

Bill Ward, Eddie Daniels

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