TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Two-For-One

TRACK AND FIELD

Staff photo by BOB EAST III

Springstead seniors Mirelys Pizarro, seated left, and Taylor Tuomey, center, gathered with their cross county and track coach, Joel Myers, seated right, and their parents to sign letters of intent to attend Minot State University next fall. Behind Pizarro is her father, Reynaldo Pizarro, while Tuomey's parents, Thomas and Karla, stand behind her.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: March 22, 2009

At some point this winter, Springstead distance runners Mirelys Pizarro and Taylor Tuomey will experience something they never truly have before: cold.

Many Spring Hill residents have at least an idea of what a harsh winter feels like, having transplanted from somewhere up north. But Pizarro and Tuomey are not among them.

Pizarro, an 18-year-old who lives in Spring Hill with parents Reynaldo Pizarro and Mirella Delosantos, was born in Puerto Rico before her family moved to Florida. She has never even seen snow.

Tuomey, a 17-year-old who resides in Spring Hill with her mother, Karla Tuomey, was born in Florida but did live out of state at a young age. She's seen snow, she just doesn't remember much about it.

Yet this pair of Lady Eagles will brave not only the elements but the college experience together. The two best friends and seniors both accepted offers to run at Minot State University in North Dakota.

"I don't think I'd be able to go that far without somebody," Tuomey said. "And it's my best friend going with me. So that'll make it easier."

"It's pretty good to be able to go together," Pizarro said. "We already know each other. We know what to expect and we'll be able to go together. We were hoping for it and it's pretty amazing that it actually came true."

A good deal

Though neither received a full scholarship, Minot presented both with an affordable deal they deemed too good to pass up.

As they have in high school, both will participate in cross country as well as track and field, at least for the first year.

But how did two Springstead students end up signing with a college so far away? Credit the handy work of Springstead girls cross country and track coach Joel Myers.

At one point Pizarro and Tuomey didn't think they'd end up running in college, but Myers convinced them otherwise.

"You push them and say 'how good do you want to be and how good can you get?' This is always possible," Myers said. "You try to push them in the right direction, both in the classroom and on the track."

Myers went to the internet looking for potential destinations for his two athletes, pushing their credentials through to college coaches.

He estimated Tuomey received 18-20 offers, including some from Division I schools, but NAIA Minot State ended up as the best fit for everyone involved.

Myers, a former football coach, noted that northern schools are leery of recruiting athletes from Florida, believing they are less likely to stick around. He felt that two friends going together are more likely to stay.

Still, Pizarro, Tuomey and Myers all agreed that the difference in weather will take some adjusting. They all plan to visit Minot State for the first time over spring break.

"It's a big change, but I'm ready for it," Pizarro said. "I'm going to miss home and my friends and family, but I'm going to better my future. I got to do what I got to do."

Future plans

Tuomey has not decided what major or career path she wants to take. Pizarro would like to do something in either nursing or criminal justice.

Athletically, they could veer in slightly different directions. At Myers' insistence, they'll continue to compete in cross country and track as freshmen. Eventually, though, they figure to only focus on one sport.

For Tuomey, her future appears brightest in track. She has come tantalizingly close to reaching states in the 400, and did advance last year as anchor of the Lady Eagles' 4x400 relay.

"My goal was always to go to states," Tuomey said. "Last year I finally made it in a relay.

"Before in my freshman and sophomore years I was thinking about individual races. Relays, I've become more fond of them. It's more of an accomplishment doing it with other people. There's more teamwork."

She hopes to return to states in the 4x400, and make it in the 4x800, where the Lady Eagles feel they have the best chance of earning a medal.

Plus there's the opportunity to finally get there in the 400, the event she'll probably run exclusively in college. At regionals last year, she finished fifth (1:00.12), one spot away from qualifying for states.

"I did the 100 and 200 in my freshman year and I wasn't getting anywhere," Tuomey said. "I've done some lifting during the summer and I trained for (the 400). You've got to go all out in that race."

As for Pizarro, Myers sees cross country as her best sport. She had a top time last season of 22:15.33.

"I'm trying to get better at (distance running) and push myself to my limit," Pizarro said.

Myers recognized the achievements of both girls, and agreed that these signings represent a significant step for his programs.

He said that Springstead Athletic Director Bob Levija, who has worked at the school since 1979, could not recall a female runner signing with a college.

"Just their work ethic (made this happen) and they're great kids," Myers said. "They do right and they've got tremendous work ethic. They turned themselves into good athletes.

"…I think they're going to do just fine. Taylor's potential is unlimited in the 400. When she gets up there and is training for one race and one race only, her times are going come down tremendously. I think their times are going to come way down.

"It gives other kids hope. I know the other kids are excited. I'm not a great track coach, but if you work hard and do right, good things will happen for you."

BY THE NUMBERS: MIRELYS PIZARRO'S CROSS COUNTRY CAREER
Year Best time
2006 22:41
2007 22:04
2008 22:15.33

BY THE NUMBERS: TAYLOR TUOMEY IN 400
Year Best time
2006 1:01.78
2007 1:01.00
2008 59.10

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT