Jeff Adams was on site for flrunners.com with photo coverage.

This isn’t a new story, but it’s so egregious we had to report it. There was once a track and field club that recruited the poorest athletes in South Florida and gave them the ability to compete in state, regional and national meets by covering travel, uniform, food expenses and coaching. Track Florida, a non-profit started in 1987, helped 175 boys and 175 girls compete in meets that only wealthier students could afford to attend. (via Joe Nocera Blog)

My training group is based in Daytona Beach, Florida. It's the ideal place for training. It's very quiet, very small. We train at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University there. (via The Independent)

Northside Christian's Matthew Montanari, last year's Class A state runnerup in the 800 meters, is out four weeks with a bruised knee, Mustangs coach Jeff Goodwin said. (via www.tampabay.com)

Jeff Demps is the kind of running back who would raise a lot of eyebrows at this week's NFL Combine. Just imagine him doing this in an NFL uniform: (via ThePostGame)

Florida State cross country standouts Mike Fout and Hannah Brooks had few peers on the course while representing the Seminoles nationally ranked men’s and women’s teams in 2011. They have fewer peers when it comes to combined academic and athletic excellence. (via www.seminoles.com)

Except for one afternoon each February, the term “Last Chance” conjures up completely different images in my mind: My sainted mother, leaning against a porcelain sink in an all-white kitchen, her arms folded across her chest, a wooden spoon stained red with spaghetti sauce clenched tightly in a white-knuckled fist, and on her face “the look,” warning me that the first words out of my mouth could be the last; a no-name, sun-bleached gas station on Nevada Highway 374, perched on the edge of Death Valley...

Sprinters Shayla Sanders and Kali Davis-White make Boyd Anderson a state-title contender. (via The Miami Herald)

The state’s reigning 400-meter champion, Arman Hall has his sights set on state marks. (via The Miami Herald)

  Robin Reynolds knows where she’s going to college: the University of Florida. She knows where she wants to be this summer: London. And in three months, she hopes to make her way to the top of the podium four more times. (via The Miami Herald)  

Great meet tonight in Miami! A lot of relays and individuals had strong openings to their 2012 seasons. We were on site with coverage.

NEW ORLEANS – The latest USTFCCCA National Computer Team Rankings for Division I show a few changes from the previous week. The top four men’s teams stayed in the same spot, spurred by No. 1 Arkansas. Oregon still is the No. 1 team on the women’s side as LSU and Clemson switched positions, now standing at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

It's one thing to be a promising athlete. It's an entirely different matter to be one who has already proven they are among the best in their sport. (via TBO.com)

Sophomore Brianna Frazier earned Most Valuable Performer honors as the University of North Florida track and field teams both took home top-five finishes at the Atlantic Sun Indoor Track and Field Conference Championship on Saturday. The women's team finished third, just seven points behind runner-up Kennesaw State, while the men's team grabbed fourth.     (via www.unfospreys.com)    

Floridians competing in college for the week of February 13, 2012 - February 19, 2012.

Tampa Tribune Special Correspondent Andy Villamarso previews the upcoming track  season for Pasco County girls.  (via TBO.com)

 Ben Martucci, a former Hernando High distance runner, has been named interim head coach for the men’s track and field team at Florida Southern College.Martucci and fellow Florida Southern graduate Rebecca Clark Marsh replace Jamie Moreno, who resigned as cross country/track coach after the cross country season.(via Hernando Today)

One of the most beloved coaches and greatest ambassadors for track and field in Palm Beach County was honored Friday night when the track at Dwyer High School was named for Lincoln Knowles. (via www.palmbeachpost.com)

Once home to some of the biggest names in U.S. sports, track and field is struggling to produce a new generation of heroes. (via MarketWatch)

As the 2012 season gets underway First Academy held it's Royal Open. Todd Grasley was on site for coverage including, photos, interviews, and highlights!

We haven't played one-on-one basketball against each other in a while," says Mark Derrick, a senior at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Ill. "I used to lose to him all the time just because he was bigger than me, but now that I've grown, it should be a pretty even game." (via Running Times)

Octavious Freeman has turned Central Florida into a national-title contender. Since arriving on campus she has set the nation's best time in the 60 meters and secured a spot at the indoor championships. Poll: USTFCCCA (via www.ncaa.com)

Trans World Sport profile the reigning men's Triple Jump World Champion, Christian Taylor. After his stunning victory at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Trans World Sport travel to Gainesville to meet the former Florida Gator as he gets ready for the 2012 season.

Carl Janvier witnessed National Signing Day come and go with no scholarship offers in hand. Janvier finished third in the 800 at the 4A State Championships so the news came as a surprise, but he is not alone. Many kids go unsigned, unnoticed, and are looking for that one chance to prove people wrong.

In most parts of the state the season is either just now getting started or hasn't started yet, but South Florida middle school track has been going strong for weeks now.

Intimidating. That's how Circle Christian junior Bryce Seymour described the start line at the 2012 USA Cross Country Championships. Seymour  and Danielle Kissel of Plant made the trek to St. Louis, Missouri to compete against some top college competition, Foot Locker Finalists, and peers. Seymour and Kissel were entered in the Junior Women along with 37 others and finished 22nd and 29th, respectively.

It's the race that cemented Roger Bannister's name into history and the distance that everyday runners use to gauge their progress and pace. Yet, over the years, the mile has been cut out of most mainstream track meets, replaced by metric numbers that don't have nearly the same meaning, at least to Americans. (via www.huffingtonpost.com)

Success has been the theme for the Florida A&M track and field team this season, and it has no plans to change the subject. Determined to conclude their victory-filled indoor season on a high note, the Rattlers have set their sights on a top-three finish during the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Championship in Landover, Md. (via The Famuan)

Trey Hardee, Alabama State Champion from Vestavia Hills, eventually went onto to become an NCAA and World Champion out of University of Texas. In this video series he goes into details and explains his training regimine for the event. 

We will be accepting any meet that is FAT-timed as a qualifier this year. Here are the qualifying standards.

Coach Mike Holloway has his Gator men in a tight battle with Arkansas for the top spot on the latest Division 1 Track and Field Rankings. (via USTFCCCA)

Researchers combed through four years' worth of data about Harvard runners to produce the surprisingly controversial finding that how a person runs may affect whether he or she winds up hurt. (via Well Blog)

Celebration senior Quincy O'Connor has made his college decision. O'Connor who is originally from Buffalo, New York will head back to the Empire State and run for Fordham University. He says he chose the Rams the middle of last week over offers from a few Ivy League schools. and some smaller liberal arts schools.  In the end Fordham was the best fit for O'Connor.

A report of the top collegiate performances from around the country of former Florida high school stars.

Many athletes in South Florida kicked off their preseason on Saturday with the Hallandale All-Comers Meet. John Calderon was on-site with coverage.

The 2012 high school outdoor track & field season kicked off today unofficially, with preseason meets in multiple parts of the state. Many Central Florida teams kicked off their spring season at the Lake Mary All-Comers.

After clocking the fastest preliminaries time, freshman Octavious Freeman topped her personal best, automatic qualifying time in the semifinals by recording 7.19 to tie the school and freshman record. At the time of publication, it ranked as the nation's top time this season. (via www.ucfathletics.com)

SEATTLE, Wash. Sophomore distance runner Cory McGee (Pass Christian, Miss.) recorded a personal-best and NCAA automatic qualifying time of 4:34.06 in the women's mile to lead the Gators on the second day of the Flotrack Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. on Saturday. (via www.gatorzone.com)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. and SEATTLE, Wash. The women's 4x400 meter relay team, composed of Lanie Whittaker (Miami, Fla.), Alishea Usery (St. Louis, Mo.), Bria Goodson (Orange Park, Fla.) and Ebony Eutsey (Miami, Fla.), capped off a stellar evening for the Florida track and field teams at the Don Kirby Collegiate Elite, hosted by the University of New Mexico at the Albuquerque Convention Center. (via www.gatorzone.com)

Amanda Winslow collected the biggest of four victories by the Florida State women's track & field team Saturday at the SPIRE Invitational, winning the 3,000-meter title in wire-to-wire fashion in 9:09.83. (via www.seminoles.com)

If there is one thing Jenny Simpson is not it's timid about mixing it up with the best in middle distance races. Expect to see nothing different from the 1500m world champ in the Wanamaker Women's Mile at the Millrose Games. (via www.universalsports.com)

While recognizing the football and girls cross country teams at his cabinet meeting, the governor poked a little fun at both squads. (via TBO.com)

The warm weather and year-round training proved to be too much for Lateisha Philson to pass up. (via New York Post)

Their homes are an ocean apart, but their connection – as two of the world’s best 17-year-old middle distance runners – has brought them together as the two final jewels in the 2012 Florida State women’s track & field initial signing class. (via www.seminoles.com)

Karen Harvey's women's cross country team had a nation-leading six runners earn USTFCCCA All-Academic honors on Thursday. (via www.seminoles.com)

Eight-time All-American Maurice Mitchell will make his indoor track season debut at the SPIRE Invitational this weekend, as well as Gonzalo Barriolhet and Marecia Pemberton. (via www.seminoles.com)

Boone senior Marvin Bracy was featured in Sports Illustrated's Faces In The Crowd section for his record setting performance in the 55 meter dash at the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Youth Meet.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. The University of Florida track and field program, on the heels of top-10 recruiting classes in 2012, has inked 12 student-athletes for the 2013 season, head coach Mike Holloway announced on Wednesday. This class includes eight state champions and several athletes that have international experience. (via www.gatorzone.com)

GAINESVILLE, Fla.  Junior sprinter Jeff Demps (Winter Garden, Fla.) has been named the Southeastern Conference Men's Runner of the Week for his outstanding performance at the Virginia Tech Elite Meet this past weekend, the league offices in Birmingham, Ala. announced Tuesday. (via www.gatorzone.com)

There in the depths of the Pasco County boonies, well-hidden from nearby Highway 301 that travels north from Dade City, lies a beautiful piece of pristine property called Little Everglades Ranch. The FHSAA State Finals has called this 2050-acre working ranch home since 2005, but that era has now come to a close after the successful 2011 state championship.

Not much changed in the latest D1 Rankings. On the men's side Florida and Florida State remain at number two and six respectively. On the womens' side UCF coach Caryl Smith Gilbert has the Knights firmly in fifth while Florida State slips from 9th to 12th.

Gulliver Prep senior Briana Pulido is a versatile athlete who is looking to make a big impact on her new school in 2012.  Last year Pulido finished fourth in the 100 meter hurdles, 5th in the 300 meter hurdles, and 7th in the long jump at the 2A State Championships. See how playing multiple sports have helped her in track and field, her goals for herself and her new team, and the latest college news. 

For this month's Hometown Hero spotlight, we take a look at David Mitchell.(via New Tampa Patch)

The Florida State track & field program has fortified its distance and field event lineups with the addition of five new signees announced by head coach Bob Braman.

A report of the top collegiate performances from around the country of former Florida high school stars.

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Gator track and field teams finished the 2012 Virginia Tech Elite Meet on a high note on Saturday, earning five victories, four personal or collegiate bests and an automatic qualifying mark courtesy of junior jumper Omar Craddock (Killeen, Texas). (via www.gatorzone.com)

Held at the brand-new JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, the meet is open for unattached individuals and clubs from around the Southeast.

Lauryn Williams kicked off the 2012 Olympic year at the new Crossplex in Birmingham, Ala., which afforded her the opportunity to run on a fast track and compete in the same meet with her younger sister for the first time. (via www.universalsports.com)

On a recent trip to Texas for the Olympic Marathon Trials, our friend at FloTrack asked me to stop by their headquarters in Austin for a couple of days. In addition to just getting to know them better and seeing their place, they were excited to show me the new project they are working on called Flocoach. I was so impressed with the idea that we signed a partnership right then and there.

Spring is just around the corner, which means high school track season is just around the corner, which means young runners are about to get hurt. It happens every year: Track season starts. Kids are excited. Training begins. Within six weeks, many who were having the time of their lives are halted by shin splints, IT band syndrome, runner's knee, stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and on and on.(via Running Times)

Former Lake Wales star Octavious Freeman is making a name for herself on the collegiate stage. Freeman is the latest runner to be added to The Bowerman Women's Watch List.

Today is February 1st, national signing day! Athletes around the country (and world) can now make their college commitments official.

Belleview senior Anne-Marie Blaney has found the right fit to continue her running career. Blaney, a four-time Star-Banner Athlete of the Year between cross country and track and field, signed a national letter of intent to continue both sports with the University of Central Florida on Wednesday night at Belleview High School. via (preps.ocala.com)

There were days when Palmetto Ridge runner Josh Pelletier wondered if it was all worth it. The hours upon hours of running, late night homework sessions and long school days capped off by workouts and practice sessions. After all, during his high school career, Pelletier never won an individual title. (via Naples Daily News)

Florida State track & field coach Bob Braman received a big assist from Jimbo Fisher Wednesday, when two of the nation’s top sprinters – Marvin Bracy and Ronald Darby – signed national letters of intent to play football for the Seminoles.

  With National Signing day approaching on Wednesday, the SEC Digital Network is "priming" you on what's to come in this all important event. In this "Primer", we go behind the scenes at the offices of the Southeastern Conference. We spoke with Associate Commissioner Greg Sankey, who oversees compliance for the conference. Sankey's interview covers a well known practice, but explains what exactly is happening when high school student-athletes sign to play in the SEC., SEC NEWS (via www.secdigitalnetwork.com)

The UCF track and field team has climbed to No. 5 in the latest USTFCCCA national rankings, the association announced Tuesday. (via www.ucfathletics.com)

Chiles senior Lily Williams decided in the final days leading up to National Signing Day that she would run for Vanderbilt University.

If you live in or around Daytona Beach, Florida, you know that from late January to mid-March, it’s all about speed. (Vrooom,vrooom!) First there’s the Rolex Endurance Race (24 hours of beer, fried food, t-shirts, and of course one long sleepless night of non-stop car racing).

A report of the top collegiate performances from around the country of former Florida high school stars.

Todd Grasley and Jeff Adams are on-site in Gainesville for coverage of one of two Florida youth indoor meets this year. There are a lot of big names lined up this Sunday!

Wiregrass Ranch senior Sam Hippely has verbally committed to the University of West Florida. 

Just a couple of years ago, Thomas Christenberry thought he would probably be just another high school runner who posted some decent times and had some fun running cross country and track. A college career? Well, that just didn’t enter his thinking too often. (via www.tboblogs.com)

Wiregrass Ranch senior David Hill has verbally committed to run cross country at Saint Leo, Bulls coach Chris Loth said. Hill will receive a partial athletic scholarship. (via www.tampabay.com)

The Gainesville Sports Commission has released the 2012 Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track & Field Invitational youth schedule of events as well as an up to date performance list. The meet kicksoff Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at the O'Connell Center at the University of Florida. 

Otniel Teixera came up just short in last year's 800 meter race at the 4A Outdoor State Finals. This year the Lake Brantley senior wants nothing but the top of the podium. See his plans for the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Youth Meet, goals for the season, and find out what lucky school has his commitment to run for the next four years.

Danielle Kissel, Plant High’s No. 1 runner when it won the Class 4A state cross country title last fall, will not be participating in track this spring for the Panthers, Kissel told the Tribune on Thursday. (via www.tboblogs.com)

Staging a marathon is a lot like running one. Frankie Ruiz has done both. Ruiz is a founder of the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, which celebrates its 10th anniversary Sunday with a sold-out field of 25,000 runners. He knows what it takes. (via The Miami Herald)

Chiles standout Carly Thomas has chosen her college destination. The 2009 3A Cross Country State Championship will stay in Tallahassee and run for Florida State. In the end she chose the Seminoles over Mississippi State. She says it was her bond with Coach Karen Harvey and current FSU runners that sealed the deal.

Athletes at the collegiate level devote much of their time to the athletic events they compete in — Florida freshman Taylor Burke is no different, except she has it twice as hard. Burke plays goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team in the fall, and she is currently competing in the high jump for track and field. At the Alabama Invitational two weeks ago, the first track meet of her collegiate career, she placed fourth in her event. (via The Independent Florida Alligator)

David Oliver trains at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney World in Orlando with famed coach Brooks Johnson. He focuses on the fundamentals while looking toward the London Olympic Games.

When Kyle Krekeler showed up at the Mount Dora Christian Home and Bible School track in July to join a local running group, trainer Vickie Steuben encountered a problem. The 22-year-old Krekeler, who is autistic, would smell her hand and try to put some of her fingers in his mouth. (via OrlandoSentinel.com)

Freedom senior distance runner Ashley Smith, a state qualifier last year in both track and cross country, has accepted a scholarship offer and verbally committed to Augusta (Ga.) State University on Tuesday, her father and coach, Dwight Smith announced. (via www.tboblogs.com)

Paul Spangler, a former Alabama cross country NCAA qualifier and All-Southeastern Conference selection, has returned to the SEC and will join the Gator coaching staff as an assistant coach for distance and cross country, University of Florida track and field head coach Mike Holloway announced today. (via www.gatorzone.com)

Gainesville Buchholz senior Chris Godwin decided to leave his hometown when he picked Florida State over offers from UF, and USF. Godwin capped off his cross country career with a second place finish at the 4A meet and an 11th place finish at the Foot Locker South regional.

Andres Arroyo is only a junior and is raking in the hardware. The Colonial star was recently named the Gatorade Florida Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. 

You probably put a lot of thought into the interval portion of your workouts--how far, how many, how fast. The recovery or rest portion of your workout may be merely an afterthought. Perhaps you should consider it more carefully. (via Running Times)

Senior pole vaulter Sammie Kasmirski will graduate this year without knowing what it is like to compete in front of a home crowd. Though the Sarasota County School District is sinking $90 million into a new campus, there are no plans to replace the non-regulation 5-lane track. (via HeraldTribune.com)

Nease standout Mac Reynolds has committed to the University of Florida. He admits the recruiting process was hectic at first, but after a while things settled down. He chose the Gators over Auburn. He says he knew early on that Gainesville was the place for him.

Santa Fe Catholic senior Ben Knauf won two gold medals at the 1A State Championships in 2011. Knauf placed first in the 100 and long jump and finished second in the 200 meters. The standout also plays football for Santa Fe Catholic in addition to track. It's what he does between the two sports that some people might not know. 

 The Florida men's and women's track and field teams recorded six first-place finishes on Sunday at the 2012 Gator Invite, held at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. (via www.gatorzone.com)

Senior Kemar Hyman stepped out of the shadows and secured Florida State's first NCAA Indoor Championship automatic berth in the 60-meter dash. Hyman tied the Cayman Islands' national record at the Auburn Invitational. (via www.seminoles.com)

A report of the top collegiate performances from around the country of former Florida high school stars.

A report of the top collegiate performances from around the country of former Florida high school stars.

A trio of Sunshine State track stars returned home to train for 2012 season and gear up for the Olympics in London. Bershawn "Batman" Jackson, Jamaal Torrance, and Moses Washington spent a couple of days at the National Training Center in Clermont working on their speed and strength.