Sharks hope to stay the course

In an odd twist, the Nature Coast boys track and field team's biggest loss is actually its greatest gain. The Sharks lost Tampa-Jesuit.

Thanks to redistricting, Nature Coast has moved up to Class 3A, District 7. Despite the rise in classification, the good news is the Tigers are no longer a concern.

Two years ago the Sharks snuck up on perennially strong Jesuit to capture their first-ever district championship. But in 2009 the Tigers, admittedly more aware of the Nature Coast threat, bumped the Sharks to second place in 2A-9.

Nature Coast boys coach Ryan Wilson feels good about his team's chances of adding another district title this season, which officially begins Tuesday for all four Hernando County schools.

"We want the district championship again," Wilson said. "And we're looking as far as even regionals.

"With this team we have a lot more experience than we had in the past in every spot. With experience comes leadership, then comes discipline. That's what I think we've been lacking in the past."

Wilson said the Sharks' biggest strength is their sprinters, including senior Antwan Story, who earned a state medal in both the 200 and 100 last year.

"I think Antwan has now gotten to the point where he understands how good he can be," Wilson said. "Even though he medaled at states, he wasn't satisfied."

His younger brother, Ja'Juan Story, is another sprinter for whom Wilson has high expectations. Wilson believes he has enough talent in field events to make up for losing state-placing jumper Howie Williams.

The one question mark is middle distance, primarily because the Sharks lack a true distance coach. The regional-qualifying cross country team went through four different head coaches.

Central and Springstead are also in 3A-7, but are both trying to build up young teams The Bears do have senior Paul Robinson, a district champion in the 400.

The Eagles return one regional qualifier, sophomore Thomas Watson who also made it in the 400.

Hernando remains in 2A-9, but Head Coach Shawn Bingham believes the Leopards can challenge the Sharks when they meet.

"We can challenge for the county this year," Bingham said. "As far as the district is concerned, we're in very good position in our district.

"With the guys we have that are young and the guys we had last year seeing what can be done (the team has improved), and our numbers are larger than last year. With numbers come more points."

Doucet's last stand

On the girls' side, Nature Coast runner Danielle Doucet has pretty much dominated the headlines, earning three state medals in the 400, placing as high as fifth last year.

Now a senior, she has one more year to add to her resume while leading the Lady Sharks as they hope to match the team success of their male counterparts.

"We're going to be strong in the things we've been strong in before," Nature Coast girls coach Ed LaRose said. "I think we'll be spread out pretty well. We've never finished as a district champ and district runner-up with the girls, so that's what we're looking to do this year.

"We expect for (Doucet) to medal higher than she did before and have another solid state showing."

Hernando's girls do not return any state qualifiers. Central has retained the services of junior Tikiera Relaford, a two-time state medalist in the high jump.

However, the Lady Bears did lose Mikayla Bogulski, a two-time state qualifier in the 800, to Springstead. The Lady Eagles additionally have senior Jackie White, a state medalist in the 800 last year.

With those two joining junior Sasha Spalding and sophomore Kailey Genrich, Springstead has a 4x800 relay worth keeping an eye on.

"We've got a chance to go to states and medal," Springstead girls coach Joel Myers said. "In the 4x8, if we progress, if we can get Jackie and Mikayla under 2:20 and the two others at 2:25, then we're competing for a state championship."

CENTRAL BEARS
Head coach: Kevin Ballard (2nd year)
District: 3A-7
2009 highlights: 2nd in county, 4th in district, 23rd in region.
Key losses: Jordan Henderson, Jawara Jarrett, Shane Ralph, Phil Rodriguez, Travis Tyson, Guan Whitsett.
Key returnees: Clifton Davis (Sr.), Tyler Hebert (Sr.), Mason MacKenzie (Sr.), Paul Robinson (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Josh Burkhart (Jr.), Bobby Lepre (Sr.), Zach Martin (Sr.).
Coach's outlook: "I think we're going to take some lumps because we're so young. But we're sill going to manage to be competitive and we're building for the future."

HERNANDO LEOPARDS
Head coach: Shawn Bingham (2nd year)
District: 2A-9
2009 highlights: 3rd in county, 6th in district, 29th in region.
Key losses: James Stephens.
Key returnees: Sam Adams (Jr.), William Aldermann (Jr.), Alvin Delaine (Jr.), Zach Pritz (So.), Derek Wilson (Jr.), Chad Woods (Sr.), David Worthington (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Quintin Adams (Fr.), Shaquille Frazier (Sr.), Omar Hawkins (Fr.).
Coach's outlook: "We can challenge for the county this year. As far as the district is concerned, we're in very good position in our district."

NATURE COAST SHARKS
Head coach: Ryan Wilson (4th year)
District: 3A-7
2009 highlights: 1st in county, 2nd in district, 3rd in region, 22nd at states (Bruce Federico DNF in 1600; Matt Lambert, Bruce Federico, Tyler Harrison and Michael Muoio 9th in 4x800; Antwan Story, 4th in 100, 8th 200; Howie Williams 7th in triple jump, 8th in long jump).
Key losses: Matt Lambert, Britt Langley, Howie Williams.
Key returnees: Avery Clemmons (Jr.), Isaac Bailey (Jr.), Dell Barnes (Sr.), Tevin Drake (Sr.), Bruce Federico (Sr.), Tyler Harrison (Sr.), Antwan Story (Sr.), Wayne Tillman (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Matthew Breida (Fr.), Tyler Callaghan (Jr.), Ja'Juan Story (Jr.), Cody Van Natter (Fr.), Jeff Van Natter (Jr.), Frank Villaizan (Fr.).
Coach's outlook: "We want the district championship again. And we're looking as far as even regionals."

SPRINGSTEAD EAGLES
Head coach: Josh Criner (3rd year)
District: 3A-7
2009 highlights: 4th in county, 6th in district, 18th in region, 52nd at states (Stephan Philippeaux no height in high jump, Domnique Roberson 7th in long jump).
Key losses: Tyler Callaghan, Glenn Clarke, Ben Noury, Stephan Philippeaux, Domnique Roberson.
Key returnees: Drew Fulcher (Sr.), Thomas Watson (Fr.), Lou Wendelstedt (So.), Kenneth Wilson (So.).
Key newcomers: none.
Coach's outlook: "This year I don't see us getting as far as I'd like. But we've got a young team. The returnees are young. So we're hoping it'll be a good building year."

CENTRAL LADY BEARS
Head coach: Christina Brandel (3rd year)
District: 3A-7
2009 highlights: 2nd in county, 5th in district, 15th in region, 30th at state (Mikayla Bogulski, 9th in 800; Tikiera Relaford, 3rd in high jump).
Key losses: Mikayla Bogulski (So.), Anna DeAngelis (Sr.), Kady McCandless (Sr.), Caroline Northup (Sr.), Angela Velez (Sr.).
Key returnees: Amanda Bradley (Jr.), Mallori Brooks (Jr.), Kelsey Chesteen (Sr.), Tikiera Relaford (Jr.).
Key newcomers: Angelica Borda (Fr.), Candice Catalano (Sr.), Stephanie Lukawski (Sr.), Mikayla MacKenzie (Fr.), Jenna Maynard (So.), Michelle Nunez (So.).
Coach's outlook: "It looks to be another season full of surprises. A lot of young athletes just figuring out what they can do. Every week we'll find out a little bit more."

HERNANDO LADY LEOPARDS
Head coach: Herman Scriven (1st year)
District: 2A-9
2009 highlights: 3rd in county, T5th in district, 15th in region, NTS at state (Ryane Ledington 13th in 200).
Key losses: Ryane Ledington.
Key returnees: Alexandria Boswell (Jr.), Lakia Brown (Jr.), Wendy Cuevas (So.), Kacey Holcomb (So.), Paris Madrey (So.), Tankea Thomas (Jr.).
Key newcomers: Brianna Boswell (Fr.), Rachel Hejduk (Fr.), Tierra Ousley (Fr.).
Coach's outlook: "I feel good about our freshmen coming in. They're promising. And the sophomores from last year, they've really grown and gotten stronger."

NATURE COAST LADY SHARKS
Head coach: Ed LaRose (3rd year)
District: 3A-7
2009 highlights: 1st in county, 3rd in district, 11th in region, 29th at states (Gabriela Amarchand 15th in high jump; Danielle Doucet, 5th in 400; Brittany Aemisegger, Toni Agricola, Kimmy Francisco and Danielle Doucet 6th in 4x400).
Key losses: Brittany Aemisegger, Alicia Pierson, Traci Wood.
Key returnees: Toni Agricola (Sr.), Gabriela Amarchad (Jr.), Danielle DeGraff (Jr.), Danielle Doucet (Sr.), Kimmy Francisco (Sr.), Alyssa Joens (Sr.), Carmen Morales (Sr.), Cymone Peterson (Jr.), Jazmin Turney (Jr.).
Key newcomers: Brittany Johnson (Jr.), Alex Livengood (Sr.).
Coach's outlook: "We've never finished as a district champ and district runner-up with the girls, so that's what we're looking to do this year."

SPRINGSTEAD LADY EAGLES
Head coach: Joel Myers (4th year)
District: 3A-7
2009 highlights: 3rd in county, 7th in district, 14th in region, 42nd at states (Jackie White 7th in 800; Kailey Genrich, Jackie White, Sasha Spalding, Taylor Tuomey, 10th in 4x400).
Key losses: Mirelys Pizarro, Taylor Tuomey.
Key returnees: Keishla Dones (Jr.), Kailey Genrich (So.), Adreanna Marks (Sr.), Sasha Spalding (Jr.), Jackie White (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Mikayla Bogulski (Jr.), Devon Rennie (So.).
Coach's outlook: "We're going to be very good in some events and almost nonexistent in others."