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Hernando Today

Unlocking the Cage

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: January 11, 2009

Just because no one achieved states in girls cross country again this past season from Hernando County does not mean local teams were not successful.
What it does reflect is there was not enough talent to compete at the elite level.
So there's plenty of work still to be done.
Locally, Hernando County champion Central High dominated the scene as reflected in its selection of four runners plus its coach highlighting the 2008 Hernando Today All-County Team.
Springstead rounded out the all-star squad with two selections.
Lady Bears rule
Central High had the most success as pointed out by its nine Top 10 finishes in 10 races this fall.
CHS all-stars included sophomores Melia Orrell and Mikayla Bogulski and seniors Caroline Northrup and ex-Shark, Anna DeAngelis.
Bogulski was further honored as she nosed out Springstead's Jackie White for Runner of the Year.
For the Lady Bears' efforts, CHS' fourth-year Head Coach Erin Courtney, a Bear alumnus, was feted as Coach of the Year.
On learning of the honor, Courtney initially praised Springstead's Head Coach Joel Myers.
"I've got to give Joel (Myers) credit," said Courtney. "He did a lot to get the program where it's at right now. Believe me, I know how hard it is. We've been trying to rebuild this program since I've been here; it's finally coming along."
What was the key to success?
"Getting the right girls out and getting them motivated," shared Courtney. "Attitude counts so much in everything you do. When I first got here we had to keep some kids that didn't necessarily have their heart in the sport. We've finally gotten rid of those types of attitudes and its showing."
Any regrets?
"Our biggest disappointment was in not reaching states," pointed out Courtney. "I look at our regional and who is in there and its almost next to impossible to reach states. The competition in 3A is fierce. The field is absolutely loaded. In a way I'm disappointed in not going (to states), but I'm also very proud of what we've done so far. There are no regrets."
Bogulski: ROY
Bogulski led the way for the Bears competing in 10 races. She was one of only two girls, out of 43 female varsity runners, that raced 10 times this fall.
Along the way, Bogulski led her team with three Top 10 finishes. She also led the Lady Bears to the finish line in 8-of-10 meets.
During the state series (districts and beyond), Bogulski etched her county-best 5K (3.1-mile) time of 20:44.00 - nosing out White's 20:44.91.
Hernando Head Coach Mike Nicholson believed Bogulski was the choice for ROY.
"She was able to listen to her coach and she trained very hard," recalled Nicholson. "You gotta give it to her she puts in the time and effort."
Courtney on Bogulski, "She was completely consistent throughout the season. When it came to districts, in the meets that matter the most, she stepped up her game.
"Doing well early in the season really doesn't matter," stated Courtney. "What you do at the Mitchell meet doesn't mean you go to states or not. It's what you do in districts and regions that closes the deal on states. I respect what Jackie (White) did and what she meant to her team, but Mikayla was consistent and she did what she needed to do down the stretch."
Captain Northrup Northrup competed in eight races this season posting the county's fourth-best time in 21:04.79.
Her finest performance was her third-place effort - besting Bogulski - in the Central Invitational. It was the only time she placed in the Top 10 all season.
On Northrup, "She's a fantastic kid," described Courtney. "And a fantastic student/athlete who turned out to be a great runner. The thing with Caroline is you could always count on her. She was our captain and did a wonderful job of keeping the team together and on the same page. She really helped motivate her teammates."
Ex-Shark DeAngelis
DeAngelis, also a fine tennis player at Nature Coast Technical under Head Coach Louise Downey, transferred to CHS this fall.
Like Northrup, DeAngelis competed in eight meets and posted one Top 10 finish - placing ninth in the season-opening Wiregrass Inv.
Her best time - 21:16.24 - arrived in the Class 2A, District 3 meet at McKethan Lake. That clocking ranked fifth-best in the county this season.
On DeAngelis, "I'm so glad she came over," expressed Coach Courtney. "She helped propel our team to the next level. She was also very consistent.
"She was also very close to Caroline," added Coach Courtney. "And even though she was new to our school, our group was tight knit and she seemed to fit right in."
Orrell: the future
If Bogulski is the future of the program, meet Orrell.
Orrell competed in eight meets and finished in the Top 10 once - 10th at the Central Inv. Most importantly, she placed 37th in regionals in a career-best 21:41.50 clocking to edge Bogulski's 45th place-time of 21:57.62.
On Orrell, "I love her to death," explained Coach Courtney. "She must work on her consistency. She has the ability. But she's on one meet, off the next. I've been working on her focus. Sometimes she thinks she can't do something and shuts down.
"We're trying to get her more determined," added Coach Courtney. "With Orrell its all mental and most of that comes with maturity."
Eagles' 1-2 punch
At the midway part of the season, Springstead appeared to be a lock to reach regionals and possibly beyond.
But a rash of late-season injuries to the Lady Eagles' tiny squad impacted their performance down the stretch.
Even though SHS placed in the Top 10 of all seven races it competed in, a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 2A-3 Meet at McKethan Lake prematurely ended their campaign.
The Spring Hill squad was paced by White and freshman sensation Kailey Genrich.
White led the way with three Top 10 finishes including a stellar second-place effort at the Mitchell Invitational. She led the Lady Eagles to the finish line in each of her first four races before suffering a severe ankle injury similar to teammate Caroline Monzo.
White's 20:44.91 clocking at the Crystal River Invitational held up as the county's best until Bogulski surpassed it in the 2A-3 meet.
On White, "She had a great season until she turned an ankle," lamented Coach Myers. "After she got hurt, she simply wasn't the same runner. Everybody on our team, especially Kailey, looked up to her. She is a tenacious competitor.
"When you look back, as she went that's how we went," shrugged Myers. "No one draws up injuries, they just happen. Injuries just killed us. But to me, she was far and away the county's best runner."
With White properly healed, having both White and Genrich back next season gives SHS a potent 1-2 punch.
Genrich competed in all seven SHS meets this fall and also posted three Top 10 finishes.
Her fastest time also arrived at the Crystal River Invitational in 20:50.24 - ranking third-best in the county.
On Genrich, "She was extremely valuable," said Coach Myers. "She put us at the next level. I think with White there, it helped push Kailey. That was kind of a change for her. In middle school, she was never really challenged; it's different in high school. She and Jackie kinda fed off each other."

2008 Hernando Today All-County Girls Cross Country Selections
Name School Year
Bogulski, Mikayla CEN 10th
DeAngelis, Anna CEN 12th
Genrich, Kailey SPG 9th
Northrup, Caroline CEN 12th
Orrell, Melia CEN 10th
White, Jackie SPG 11th
Runner of the Year - Mikayla Bogulski (CEN).
Coach of the Year - Erin Courtney (CEN).

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

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