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Hernando Today

What Sophomore Slump?

Photo by ROBERT CAMPBELL

NCT sophomore Danielle Doucet hits her stride during the Class 2A-9 Championship Meet at Tampa-Berkeley Prep. Doucet was feted as Hernando Today’s female Track and Field Player of the Year.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: July 30, 2008

In 2007, Danielle Doucet burst onto the local high school track and field scene and left a lasting impression.

Sure, she won a state medal in the 400, the first by a Nature Coast Technical girl. Actually, she became the first Nature Coast girl to even reach states, and did it in three events (400, 200, 100).

But what could she do for an encore? Would the dreaded sophomore slump strike the 16-year-old daughter of Spring Hill's Phil and Sue Doucet?

The answer: an emphatic no.

Doucet built on her already impressive resume by returning to the Class 2A Florida High School Athletic Association Finals at Winter Park's Showalter Field in the 400 and 200, toting home a sixth-place medal in the former.

"As a freshman I think she took them all by storm," Nature Coast coach Ryan Wilson said. "For her to come here and have a good sophomore showing says a lot about her drive. We know she's good for this area. But she wants to beat girls when she goes to states.

"It's only up for her. Everything she did, her times went down."

So in a county that included two female medalists - Central freshman Tikiera Relaford and the reigning Hernando Today Player of the Year, Hernando senior Gina Potito - Doucet still managed to stand out above everyone, earning the nod at this year's Hernando Today Player of the Year.

"It's an honor," Doucet said. "There are a lot of good runners and others who do different events. It's cool.

"I didn't really have a lot of expectations. I was trying to just run."

Quiet drive

The quiet Doucet doesn't reveal much in her words, but her actions speak loudly to those that surround her.

"She's a huge piece to the puzzle," Wilson said. "I don't think one individual defines the team, but without her I don't think we'd have the drive to get better because everyone it trying to chase her in practice. Everyone is trying to be as good as her."

Few people ever succeed when it comes to chasing her down, virtually no one locally. She repeated as the county champion in the 400 and 200. The only reason she didn't do the same in the 100 is because she didn't compete.

She accomplished the same exact feat at the Class 2A, District 9 Meet at Tampa-Berkeley Prep. This year she added a Region III crown in the 400 running a 58.81, and finished third in the 200.

She posted a personal best of 57.88 in the 400 at states, finishing sixth for the second straight year but improving upon last year's time of 59.00.

In the 200 she did not make it out of prelims, running a 25.72 to come in 10th. In 2007 she finished 16th with a time of 26.25.

"It was pretty cool," Doucet said. "I was just really happy I ran faster than last year. It was the same place but it was more about the time."

Her coach saw technical improvements, but would like to see her continue her development.

"I definitely think she was better in how she finished the race," Wilson said. "Last year we felt the way she finished was not as strong as how she started them. She's definitely improved there. Her block work improved, also.

"Now she needs to work on preparation before she runs. She's still young. I think she gets caught up in thinking she's a normal athlete. I tell her all the time, she's not a normal athlete. I consider her an elite athlete and she needs to train differently."

Working hard doesn't seem to be an issue for Doucet. She said she focuses on the 400 because she enjoys the challenge of the race in which "you need more stamina."

In fact, she hardly seems to revel in the glory of her accomplishments as much as she just enjoys the competition and pushing to get better.

"I haven't made any goals (for next season) yet," Doucet said. "Just try to get a higher place. Hopefully I get to states."

BY THE NUMBERS: DANIELLE DOUCET AT STATES
- Compiled by CHRIS BERHARDT JR.

Year        Event      Result
Fr            400          6th* (59.00)
Fr            200          16th (26.25)
Fr            100          14th (13.13)
So           400          6th* (57.88)
So           200          10th (25.72)
* Denotes state medal

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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