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Hernando Today

Leopards, Sharks: Long Distance Long Shots

Hernando Head Coach Ernie Chatman

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: November 20, 2008

The Class 2A State Cross Country Finals takes place Saturday morning at Dade City's Little Everglades Ranch.
The 2A boys' race is set for 8:20 a.m.
Miami-Belen Jesuit is the defending state champion in the 62nd annual event. Area coaches have forecasted them to duplicate their 2007 titles efforts.
And why not?
Belen returns four Top 50 finishers from last year's 3.1-mile race.
Thanks to Belen Jesuit, the main issue isn't who'll win this race, but who'll finish runner-up.
Perennial powers, Tampa-Jesuit and Jacksonville-Bishop Kenney, appear to be in a dead heat. Jesuit returns five starters from 2007's third-place finish while Bishop Kenney returns fiver starters from last fall's fourth-place finish.
Hernando County will be represented by two programs: Nature Coast Technical and Hernando. Every other county program has been eliminated.

A look back

Last week, NCT earned its second straight state appearance under Head Coach Armen Merjanian behind a third-place finish in the Class 2A, Region II meet at Titusville's Chain of Lakes Park.
The Leopards finished sixth overall in the same meet to earn its 21st state appearance under HHS Head Coach Ernie Chatman.
Interestingly, both squads raced in Dade City last fall in this elite meet and both raced in Oct. 18's Pre-State Meet.
HHS finished 13th out of 24 teams at states with 384 points compared to NCT, which placed 14th with 391 points.
The Purple and Gold will be represented by three returning thinclads: senior Joe Wright, junior David Worthington and sophomore Jeremy Wright (no relation to Joe). For Joe Wright, this will be his fourth state championship appearance.
State newcomers for the Leopards include: senior Jeff Vrosh, junior Kevin Herbert and sophomore Jesse Balogh.
For the Sharks, senior Matt Lambert, who is in contention for Hernando County's Runner of the Year, is joined by returnees – juniors Bruce Federico and Tyler Harrison. State newcomers include; senior Britton Cox, junior David O'Quinn and freshman Tyler Moore.

NCT Outlook

Going into states, Coach Merjanian was not pleased with the team's third-place finish in Titusville. He thought his team had a solid chance going in to win regionals.
"Any time you think you have a team good enough to win and you don't, it's disappointing," shrugged the second-year mentor. "But we also knew in order to win; everybody had to pull their share."
"Five guys had good races, Tyler (Harrison) did not fare so well," described Merjanian. "If Tyler duplicates what he's done before this year – running a 17:31 – we win. It didn't happen; so we finished third."
What about states?
"Right now, we know we won't be on anyone's radar in Dade City," he said. "Realistically, if we run to our capabilities we could crack the Top 10," he said. "If we run our worst, we could finish as low as 19th. It all depends on the day."
How's the field on Saturday?
"Of all the races, the 2A field from 2007 has improved considerably across the state," replied Merjanian. "I've stressed to the kids that we are not just happy to get to states. We want to do some damage. We were 14th last year. As long as we show improvement, I'll be pleased. Personally, I'd like to see a Top 10 finish."

HHS Forecast

Just like the Sharks at 2A-II, no members of the Hernando High team produced personal records (PRs) in Titusville.
"We finished sixth overall, we probably did not run as well as we could have" explained Chatman, who is in his 27th season at HHS. "We came within six points of fourth, so it really wasn't that bad. You got to remember that Jeff (Vrosh) was sick. He had the flu. Thank goodness he finished."
What about the Little Everglades course?
"Actually, we ran well during the Pre-State meet, four of our guys set PRs when we raced there the first time," Chatman pointed out. "Joe (Wright) set his PR on that course. Plus, since we're running at 8:20 a.m., the weather should still be cool and conditions should be conducive to a good race."
What about field?
"Belen Jesuit is heads and shoulders above everyone else this year and probably next year," noted Chatman. "The real fight is for second between Jesuit and Bishop Kenney."
How will the Sharks and Leopards fare?
"Nature Coast has proven over time this year that they are a little stronger than we are," remarked Chatman. "They're ranked either 9th or 10th coming in. I think we're 15th coming in, which is about right. Realistically, I'll be happy with a Top 15 placing."
 
AT A GLANCE
WHAT – 62nd annual Florida High School Athletic Association State Cross Country Finals.
WHO - Nature Coast Technical and Hernando High boys' teams.
WHERE – Dade City's Little Everglades Ranch.
WHEN – Class 2A boys' race set for 8:20 a.m.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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