Raising the Expectations

Nature Coast Technical's fledgling cross country program has high expectations entering Saturday's Class 2A, Region II meet at Titusville's Brevard Community College.
The varsity girls race is scheduled for 9 a.m. followed by the varsity boys race.
Last year, first-year Head Coach Armen Merjanian guided the Sharks to a surprising second-place finish behind Crystal River on the same flat, grassy 3.1-mile course.
Archrival Hernando was a shade behind in third place.
A year later, the Sharks are coming off an impressive second-place finish in last Saturday's 2A-3 meet at McKethan Lake.
How solid was NCT?
The Sharks top thinclads, senior Matt Lambert and junior Bruce Federico, finished 1-2 behind their seasonal-best times (16:19.99, 16:20.23).
Yet, the Sharks feel they left some points on the course. Their No. 3 runner, junior Tyler Harrison, was ill and did not finish last Saturday. According to Merjanian, he'll be back and at full strength.
Interestingly, not running the week before at Citrus/Hernando Distance Classic actually paid dividends during the district meet.
"I think it paid off huge (not racing) from the week before," described Merjanian. "I looked at he final results from both races. Eighty percent of the guys who ran in both those meets were slower last week. We came in fresher. I think a lot of guys for whatever reason went backwards."
What's the focus on Saturday?
"We're feeling confident," pointed out Merjanian. "We've never won a meet. And realistically, no one is gonna beat Belen Jesuit at states. But I think our boys have great chance to win Saturday.
"I did a mock meet on the computer and I had us winning by 10 points," he added.
What will the Sharks need to do to earn their first team title?
"To win, we need everyone to just run their race," replied Merjanian. "They don't have to do anything in particular, just run their race. They need to finish where they've finished all season."
Meanwhile, the Leopards under 27th-year Head Coach Ernie Chatman is seeking the Purple and Gold's 21st state appearance the following weekend in Dade City.
Only the top six teams and top 15 individuals from Region II qualify for the Class 2A State Finals beginning at 8:20 at the Little Everglades Ranch course.
The Leopards will be without freshman Parker Steinkamp (injured) and senior Jon Phillips (Marine Corps commitment) on Saturday.
Chatman thought the 2A-II would boil down to Wiregrass Ranch, Titusville-Astronaut, Nature Coast, Sunlake, Pasco and Hernando High. He sees Citrus High as a dark horse contender.
"I was a little surprised in how well NCT ran last week, especially their top two guys," said the Hall-of-Fame mentor. "But give them (NCT) credit, they did it. Now, the key is doing it two weeks in a row."
And the forecast?
"I think we'll be OK," he said. "We need to run what we're capable of running. There's a log jam of teams at the top and anything could happen."
NCT girls qualify, too
In the girls 5K race, Nature Coast Technical also qualified for the Region II meet behind a fifth-place finish at McKethan Lake. The Lady Sharks are coming off their best two performances of the season -- fifth place at Citrus/Hernando Distance Classic and 2A-3.
NCT's first-year Head Coach Amanda Kling saw her thinclads bunch up between 22nd-52nd last weekend.
The Sharks are led by seniors Brittany Aemisegger, Traci Wood and Solianna Herrera. Herrera posted a personal best time of 22:48.53 last Saturday.
 
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT - Class 2A, Region II Cross Country Championship Meets.
WHO - Nature Coast Technical's boys and girls and Hernando High's boys qualified.
WHERE - Titusville's Brevard Community College course.
WHEN - Girls race is set for 9 a.m. followed by the boys race.
AT STAKE - Top 15 individuals and top six teams qualify for Saturday, Nov. 22's 62nd annual FHSAA Class 2A State Finals at Dade City's Little Everglades Ranch.