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The Rise Continues?

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

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The Nature Coast Technical boys track and field team celebrates its Class 2A, District 9 championship last season at Tampa-Berkeley Prep.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: March 1, 2009

When it comes to track and field in Hernando County, the realistic team goals usually include winning a county championship and a few local meets.

Then Nature Coast Technical did something unexpected last year. The Sharks didn't just rise to the top of the county; they claimed the Class 2A, District 9 crown.

Suddenly the county has something of a rising power in its midst. Under third-year Head Coach Ryan Wilson, Nature Coast's ceiling remains high.

Almost every key member of the team has returned, including three state qualifiers: juniors Antwan Story (200) and Tony Roberts (300 hurdles), and senior Howie Williams (high jump).

"I think if we continue to work as hard as we're working we have a chance to repeat as district champs," Wilson said. "That's our goal and from there on to regionals.

"It (being defending district champs) means a whole lot to us. We try not to make a huge deal that we won. That was last year. We're no longer the hunter, we're the hunted. The kids understand that. The way they're working shows they've bought into the system."

A scary thought for other programs in the area: Nature Coast should be even better. Aside from returning athletes improving with experience, the Sharks have a stronger set of distance runners.

Led by cross country Runner of the Year Matt Lambert, along with Bruce Federico and Tyler Harrison, the group figures to carry even more weight this season despite the loss of the graduated Alex Mason.

"We're definitely stronger in distance," Wilson said. "I think distance, I won't say it's the strongest part of our team, but it's the most important. I'd say they're the heartbeat of our team, really. It takes a special person to do what they do."

With all these elements coming together, Wilson doesn't just want to repeat as district champion; he wants to see the Sharks compete for a regional title. They finished ninth last year.

"In order to win at regionals, we need every kid that makes it to regionals to contribute," Wilson said.

Individually, Wilson believes that some of his athletes will not only advance to states but earn medals. He also has high hopes for his relay teams to reach that level. But the team goals remain prominent.

"Overall I think this year we're preaching more of a team concept, getting everybody to understand it takes every individual to build a team score," Wilson said. "I think the kids are buying into that."

Leopards: copycats

Nature Coast hasn't just the set the bar high for itself, but for other programs in the county. With Hernando High being in the same district, the Leopards figure to compete with the Sharks all season.

"We're looking to copy them," Hernando Head Coach Shawn Bingham said. "Last year I thought when they won the Kiwanis (Invitational hosted by Hernando), that didn't sit too well. We're looking to regain that."

Bingham, who coached the girls' team in 2008, likes the progress made by his sprinters and believes he has a potential state qualifier on his hands in freshman thrower Zach Pritz.

However, the Leopards could see their distance dominance take a significant hit. Not only has state medalist Tyler Maier graduated, but Hall-of-Fame cross country coach Ernie Chatman isn't on staff, as he's coaching softball at Hernando Christian Academy.

Still, Bingham wants to see Hernando get back to its former glory. The Leopards are only a year removed from winning back-to-back county championships.

"We're going to look good," Bingham said. "We're looking to re-establish ourselves as a strong program in the county. Our guys have been training hard and getting a lot faster. We're going to be very competitive this year."

At Central, Kevin Ballard as moved from assistant to head coach, with Eric Milholland sliding back to an assistant role.

The Bears kept most of their 2008 squad intact, including All-County performer Travis Tyson (shot put), both seniors, and top distance runner Mason MacKenzie, a junior.

"I think we'll do well," Ballard said. "I think we're going to be very competitive…I believe we're in the hunt to be the best team in the county at minimum."

Springstead's second-year headman Josh Criner will continue rebuilding the Eagles with returning regional qualifiers Glenn Clarke (hurdles) and Stephan Philippeaux (high jump) back for their senior campaigns.

"Our main goal is to get a few guys to states and more to regionals," Criner said. "The biggest thing is I know lot of the runners this year. I can focus on certain events with certain people. I think that's going to make a huge difference."

CENTRAL BEARS
Head coach: Kevin Ballard (1st year)
District: 3A-7
2008 highlights: 3rd in county, 5th in district, 28th in region.
Key losses: Brad Henderson.
Key returnees: Clifton Davis (Jr.), Joey Farace (Jr.), Shaquille Frazier (Jr.), Jordan Henderson (Sr.), Jawara Jarrett (Sr.), Mason MacKenzie (Jr.), Shane Ralph (Sr.), Steven Read (Jr.), Paul Robinson (Jr.), Mike Shannon (Sr.), Josh Shannon (Sr.), Barrett Sheffield (Sr.), Travis Tyson (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Ed D'Angelo (Fr.), Chris Mindor (Sr.), Jacob Stough (Fr.), Guan Whitsett (Jr.).
Coach's outlook: "I think we'll do well. I think we're going to be very competitive…I believe we're in the hunt to be the best team in the county at minimum."

HERNANDO LEOPARDS
Head coach: Shawn Bingham (1st year)
District: 2A-9
2008 highlights: 2nd in county, 7th in district, 16th in region, 44th in state (Tyler Maier, 7th in 3,200).
Key losses: Justin Braswell, George Fribley, Tyler Maier.
Key returnees: Sam Adams (So.), Alvin Delaine (So.), DeAngelo Gaynor (Jr.), David Hines (Sr.), George Jackson (So.), Jonathan Phillips (Sr.), Tallis Roberts (Jr.), James Stanley (Sr.), James Stephens (Sr.), David Worthington (Jr.), Jeremy Wright (So.), Joe Wright (Sr.).
Key newcomers: William Alderman (So.), Thomas Bronson (So.), Zach Pritz (Fr.), Corey Thomas (Jr.), Jeff Vrosh (Jr.), Chad Woods (Jr.).
Coach's outlook: "We're going to look good. We're looking to re-establish ourselves as a strong program in the county. Our guys have been training hard and getting a lot faster. We're going to be very competitive this year."

NATURE COAST SHARKS
Head coach: Ryan Wilson (3rd year)
District: 2A-9
2008 highlights: 1st in county, 1st in district, 9th in region, NTS at states (Tony Roberts, 16th in 300 hurdles; Antwan Story, 11th in 200; Howie Williams 9th in high jump).
Key losses: Alex Mason, P.J. Orgass.
Key returnees: Dell Barnes (Jr.), Tevin Drake (Jr.), Braddie Ellison (Jr.), Bruce Federico (Jr.), Mike Fields (Sr.), Tyler Harrison (Jr.), Matt Lambert (Sr.), Britt Langley (Sr.), Tony Roberts (Jr.), Antwan Story (Jr.), Wayne Tillman (Jr.), Howie Williams (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Avery Clemmons (Jr.).
Coach's outlook: "I think if we continue to work as hard as we're working we have a chance to repeat as district champs. That's our goal and from there on to regionals."

SPRINGSTEAD EAGLES
Head coach: Josh Criner (2nd year)
District: 3A-7
2008 highlights: 4th in county, 7th in district, 25th in region.
Key losses: Dan Cougil.
Key returnees: Craig Brice (Sr.), Tyler Callaghan (So.), Glenn Clarke (Sr.), Drew Fulcher (Sr.), Ben Noury (Sr.), Stephan Philippeaux (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Thomas Watson (Fr.), Kenneth Wilson (So.).
Coach's outlook: "Our main goal is to get a few guys to states and more to regionals. The biggest thing is I know lot of the runners this year. I can focus on certain events with certain people. I think that's going to make a huge difference."

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

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