Jacki Wachtel isn't used to finishing second in any race. The Pasco-Hernando Community College women's cross country coach won the Lutz 5K on July 4, and the former River Ridge High standout wins most of the races she enters. ...more

July 19, 2008

LAKE PLACID –– It may have been her first year of running cross country, but Erica Resendiz made quite an impression. The Lake Placid junior, who has an effortless style that belies how fast she is, had five first-place finishes during the season, including a school-record time of 21 minutes, 28 seconds in a meet at LaBelle. Resendiz, who is also an outstanding player on the Green Dragon soccer team, showed great consistency in her first year of varsity competition. "Erica is a natural runner," said Lake Placid cross country coach Dennis Berard. "She is very competitive and has the ability to run fast. You can't coach that, and she pushed herself to lower her times even though cross country isn't her favorite sport." For her accomplishments and ability, Resendiz has been selected Highlands Today's 2007 All–Heartland Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. ...more

January 2, 2008

SEBRING — Doug Morton wasn't exactly in it to win it. The 36 year-old environmental analyst from Sebring, who competed last week in a half-Iron Man competition in Miami, outpaced two of Highlands County's top prep runners to capture the overall title at the 15th annual Turkey Trot 5K at Highlands Hammock State Park. "I'm really surprised to win it," said Morton, who finished the 3.2-mile course in 17 minutes, four seconds. "I expected [Sebring's Connor Bauer and Hardee's Gilberto Guiterriez] to be all over me at the end. They sprint a bit faster than I can." Bauer, Sebring's lone state cross-country qualifier this past season, took top honors among 15-to 19-year old men with a 17:06, two seconds behind Morton. Guiterriez, meanwhile, held off top female finisher Laura Woznicki with a 17:25. ...more

November 24, 2007

For Gulf High's Courtney McAuliffe, the time had come to act. After three years of hearing the pleas, the Buccaneers' senior defender made her move - she would finally relent to girls cross country coach Dean Lofton and join the team. Even after realizing the additional demands the fall sport placed on her already incredibly tight schedule, McAuliffe is more than happy to have made the sacrifice. ...more

November 22, 2007

Wiregrass Ranch High boys cross country coach Chris Loth has this freshman he wants to talk about. ...more

November 12, 2007

Some students have to transfer from one school to another, leaving behind friends and familiar surroundings. ...more

November 7, 2007

Realistically the Durant Cougars are not expecting a return trip to the state cross country meet, where last year they posted a top-20 finish. ...more

October 31, 2007

River Ridge boys cross country coach Dave Heywood believes humor can help keep his runners motivated. ...more

October 27, 2007

The Hillsborough County championship meet held at Lake Park last week was the final major meet for most schools before the state series begins, starting with district competition Monday. Plant's boys performed well at the race, placing second with 81 points, just four points behind Jesuit, the state's top-ranked squad in Class 2A. Plant is ranked No. 5 in 3A. ...more

October 25, 2007