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What Will Doucet Do Next?

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

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Nature Coast junior Danielle Doucet, a two-time state medalist in the 400, will try to build on her accomplishments this season.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: March 1, 2009

For an athlete at the start of her junior season, Nature Coast's Danielle Doucet has already accomplished so much.

The reining Hernando Today Girls Track and Field Player of the Year has advanced to states in multiple events each of her first two years, earning a pair of medals in the 400 with back-to-back sixth-place finishes.

So at the beginning of her third prep campaign, the simple question is, what will she do next?

"Danielle, I explained to her this is her year," Nature Coast Head Coach Ryan Wilson said. "This is when she's going to make her money as far as scholarships. Colleges will be looking at her and she'll have to perform every meet.

"Everybody is going to be gunning for her and I think she understands that. She's really pushing to win states. She doesn't like to lose."

In other words, while Doucet has accomplished plenty with her dominance in the 400, 200 and even 100, she and her coach want to see even more.

"The bottom line, she's going to have to continue pushing herself in practice and finish every race, no matter how far ahead she is," Wilson said. "Push herself every meet and if she does that, she's going to be surprised at how much talent she has."

Doucet remains the centerpiece of a Lady Shark team that rose to second in the county last year, but didn't duplicate the success of the Nature Coast boys, who won both the county and district titles.

"With the girls, their goal is districts," Wilson said. "Last year they didn't feel they had a chance to win it and you could see it in their work ethic. We want them to know they can go to districts and when they leave, know they gave everything they have."

Super sophomores

Doucet is not the only returning state medalist in the county. In 2008, Central freshman Tikiera Relaford finished fourth in the high jump (5'4").

The Lady Bears won the county championship last spring and return both Relaford and Mikayla Bogulski, who like Relaford made states last year as a freshman in the 800.

"Tikiera tells me she's already increased her vertical leap," Central Head Coach Christina Brandel said. "I expect her to be back at the state finals.

"Mikayla is improving. She has her mind set on her next PR (personal record). She knows what she wants and she's working to reach that goal. I believe she will accomplish it."

Brandel expects the most points to come from the distance runners. The Lady Bears cross country team made regionals in the fall, led by Bogulski, sophomore Melia Orrell and senior Caroline Northup.

Senior Anna DeAngelis, a transfer from Nature Coast, provides depth in the distance events, and Brandel believes another newcomer and sophomore, Mallori Brooks, will reach states in the 400.

"We should be good," Brandel said. "We're starting to come together, filling in the gaps. It should be a good season. With this being my second year, it's going more smoothly.

"It's a positive, good group of kids. It's nice to go to practice. It's enjoyable. Their attitudes and work ethic make it that way."

Stout relays

Springstead Head Coach Joel Myers has a realistic view of what his team as a whole can accomplish.

"As far as actually winning a meet, we're probably not going to do it," Myers said. "We don't have enough depth, but we've got some good quality."

Myers admits his Lady Eagles have gained a reputation for strong relays, and expects that to continue with the majority of his relay runners returning.

The state qualifying 4x400 squad must replace Cassandra Crisci, who moved, and Caroline Monzo, who isn't on the track team this season.

However, sensational freshman Kailey Genrich, already one of Springstead's best distance runners, will join seniors Taylor Tuomey and Jackie White and should more than capably fill one void.

Those three and sophomore Sasha Spalding will comprise a 4x800 relay with state potential, as well.

"The 4x8, 4x4, I expect them, if we get that fourth runner in the 4x4, I expect them to go to states," Myers said. "In the 4x8, if Sasha stays healthy, we may medal."

Hernando has a new coach in Craig Everhart (last year's coach, Shawn Bingham, will now coach the boys) and will have to replace four-time state qualifier and three-time state medalist in the high jump, Gina Potito.

Senior Ryane Ledington, on the verge of signing with Brevard College in North Carolina, will serve as team captain and lead a group of sprinters that will make the 100 and 4x100 the team's premiere events.

Also, senior Ava Baylor should provide steady points in the throwing events.

"We're young but they're really working hard," Everhart said. "Our main thing is trying to bring the team concept into track. Overall our main goal the first few meets is get the girls out there and get them to work as hard as they possibly can."

CENTRAL LADY BEARS
Head coach: Christina Brandel (2nd year)
District: 3A-7
2008 highlights: 1st in county, 4th in district, 12th in region, 34th in state (Mikayla Bogulski, 10th in 800; Tikiera Relaford, 4th in high jump).
Key losses: Jasmine Hudson, Courtney LeCours, Amy Mihok, Ashley Tombrink.
Key returnees: Amanda Bradley (So.), Mikayla Bogulski (So.), Kady McCandless (Sr.), Caroline Northup (Sr.), Melia Orrell (So.), Tikiera Relaford (So.), Angela Velez (Sr.), Stephanie Walton (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Mallori Brooks (So,), Anna DeAngelis (Sr.).
Coach's outlook: "We should be good. We're starting to come together, filling in the gaps. It should be a good season. With this being my second year, it's going more smoothly."

HERNANDO LADY LEOPARDS
Head coach: Craig Everhart (1st year)
District: 2A-9
2008 highlights: 3rd in county, 6th in district, 20th in region, 49th in state (Gina Potito, 7th in high jump).
Key losses: Shelby DeRamus, Gina Potito.
Key returnees: Ava Baylor (Sr.), Jamie Gabisch (Sr.), Rianna Jenkins (Sr.), Ryane Ledington (Sr.), Tankea Thomas (So.).
Key newcomers: Genelle Burgan (Fr.), Wendy Cueves (Fr.), Kacey Holcomb (Fr.), Neiko Jackson (Sr.).
Coach's outlook: "We're young but they're really working hard. Our main thing is trying to bring the team concept into track. Overall our main goal the first few meets is get the girls out there and get them to work as hard as they possibly can."

NATURE COAST LADY SHARKS
Head coach: Ryan Wilson (3rd year)
District: 2A-9
2008 highlights: 2nd in county, 5th in district, 13th in region, 44th in the states (Danielle Doucet, 6th in 400, 10th in 200).
Key losses: none.
Key returnees: Brittany Aemisegger (Sr.), Taylor Agricola (Sr.), Toni Agricola (Jr.), Danielle Doucet (Jr.), Kimmy Francisco (Jr.), Alyssa Joens (Jr.), Shareka Maner (Sr.), Carmen Morales (Jr.), Marissa Pilolli (So.), Traci Wood (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Gabby Amarchad (So.), Nicole Brennen (Fr.).
Coach's outlook: "With the girls, their goal is districts. Last year they didn't feel they had a chance to win it and you could see it in their work ethic. We want them to know they can go to districts and when they leave, know they gave everything they have."

SPRINGSTEAD LADY EAGLES
Head coach: Joel Myers (3rd year)
District: 3A-7
2008 highlights: 4th in county, 8th in district, 19th in region, NTS at states (Cassandra Crisci, Jackie White, Caroline Monzo, Taylor Tuomey, 15th in 4x400).
Key losses: Delores Atkins, Cassandra Crisci, Caroline Monzo.
Key returnees: Jennifer Draganchuk (Jr.), Alyssa Ladoucer (Jr.), Adreanna Marks (Jr.), Mirelys Pizarro (Sr.), Sasha Spalding (So.), Taylor Tuomey (Sr.), Jackie White (Jr.).
Key newcomers: Keishla Dones (So.), Kailey Genrich (Fr.), Allyson Kuhn (Fr.), Tiana Redman (Fr.), Katie Sokolowski (So.).
Coach's outlook: "As far as actually winning a meet, we're probably not going to do it. We don't have enough depth, but we've got some good quality."

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

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