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Lennard senior Aykroyd is the leader of the pack

Staff photo by John Ceballos

Casey Aykroyd, third from left, is the captain of the Lennard High School varsity cross country team. From left are Marcus Featherston, Edmundo Jardines, Aykroyd, and Trent Kloter.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: September 30, 2009

RUSKIN - When Casey Aykroyd joined the Lennard High varsity cross country team last year, he quickly established himself as someone his teammates would want to follow.

"He had barely been on the team for a month, and he was almost selected as a captain," said Eric Blicker, cross country coach. "He's not one of those kids that gets in anyone's face or yells at anybody - he just leads by example."

Now a senior, Aykroyd is the captain of a Longhorn cross country squad that has aspirations of competing for a state championship.

"Last year we made it to regionals, and I think we've got an even better team this year," Aykroyd said.

Blicker said he has twice as many runners on his cross country team this season as he did last year.

"Winning will do that," said the fourth-year coach.

On a more personal level, Aykroyd wants to get his time under 17 minutes in the 5-kilometer race. His personal best is 18 minutes and 30 seconds.

Aykroyd has run cross country for three years. He ran for Largo High during his sophomore year and has been a member of the Longhorns squad for the past two seasons.

"I had tried out for track to see what it was like when I was at Largo, and I had a bunch of people tell me I should go out for cross country," Aykroyd said. "I ended up loving it a lot more than track."

Still, Aykroyd plans to return to track and field this spring.

"It's my senior year, and I kind of feel like I have more motivation to put forth everything I have," he said.

Beyond that, he's undecided about which college he wants to attend.

"My dream would be to attend Florida State University and maybe do drama," said Aykroyd, who has been a member of the Drama Club for three years. "I'm not a Gator fan, but if they call me I won't hang up either."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Casey Aykroyd

AGE: 17

SCHOOL: Lennard High

GRADE: 12th

SPORTS: Cross country, track and field

FUTURE PLANS: Undecided, but would like to attend Florida State University

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 627-4762.

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