Grace VanDeGrift is not an easy name to remember, but it's looking like cross country watchers may have to get used to it real quick. ...more

November 10, 2007

ESTERO –– Despite having to compete in the Class 2A-Region 3 cross-country meet while the sun was rising early Friday morning, Sebring's Connor Bauer qualified for next Saturday's state meet in Dade City. Bauer, a fleet-footed sophomore, managed to run the hilly Park Community course in a time of 17 minutes, 13 seconds, which was good for ninth place in a very competitive regional that included numerous private schools. "That's a very good showing for Connor," said Blue Streak coach Jeff Shoemaker. "It was a good course, but it was hilly and the corners were very tight, which didn't favor Connor's upright style of running. "I'm really pleased with his effort, because he stayed focused, had a strong last half-mile and made up a lot of ground on the leaders." The regional meet featured 12 teams, with the top six teams and top 15 individuals qualifying for next Saturday's state meet in Dade City. ...more

November 10, 2007

Run every second of every minute of every race. That's the motto of Robinson High's cross country team. And for Mark Altimari, who volunteers as assistant coach for the boys' team, dedication and consistency are the keys to success. ...more

November 7, 2007

NAPLES –– The Lake Placid cross country team ended its season on a sour note Friday at the Class 2A-District 6 meet at Golden Gate High School. ...more

November 5, 2007

Everything about the Class 2A-District 3 course seemed to set up well for freshman Ariel Grey and the Wiregrass Ranch girls and boys cross country teams. ...more

November 3, 2007

TAMPA — The Sebring girls cross country team showed what solidarity can do for a team, as they finished fifth at the Class 3A-District 5 district meet on Thursday at Lake Park in Tampa. Rough course conditions took its toll on the boys team, who gave a good performance but came up short, finishing in seventh place — one spot out of moving on to regionals. "The boys did what they could do," Sebring coach Jeff Shoemaker said. "I have no complaints on how they performed. It just wasn't good enough to make it this time." The top six teams advance to the Region 3 meet, which will take place on Nov. 9 at Estero Community Park in Ft. Myers. ...more

November 3, 2007

The RSL Florida U-14 girls team took first place in its division at the Disney Soccer Showcase Qualifier at the Wide World of Disney Sports Complex in September. ...more

October 31, 2007

Saddlebrook's girls team and Academy at the Lakes' Alexandra Irish. The county's last hopes for postseason glory travel to the Ridgewood Lakes Golf and Country Club in Davenport for the two-day, 36-hole Class 1A state championship. ...more

October 29, 2007

It's unusual advice, but in swimming it fits. Especially for competitors in the quickest race, the 50-yard freestyle, it's better not to breathe. That's a point the Plant City High swim coaches are working on with Nikita Markov, the top performer on the boys team. ...more

October 25, 2007

Ariel Grey won the race, but wasn't completely satisfied. The Wiregrass Ranch freshman won the Sunshine Athletic Conference girls cross country race Friday morning at Starkey Park. She ran a 20:51 on the punishing course. ...more

October 20, 2007