Training Hard, Winning Easy Helps HTTR Tornadoes Athletes Rise to the Top


Train hard, win easy. That's the motto the girls of the HTTR Tornadoes train and compete by. Since 2012, Head Coach Stephen Dunn has taught his team- a small group, consisting this year of 14 middle-school aged girls- the foundations of cross country while developing some of the best young athletes in the state.

Dunn founded the program when his daughter, Emilie, was in middle school. Florida public middle schools don't offer cross country (although they do offer track). And, unlike combined private middle/high schools such as Bolles and Pinecrest, who have middle schoolers which frequent the high school state meet, middle schoolers attending a public school can't yet compete at the high school level.

So, Dunn decided to create the Tornadoes. The team's purpose was simple: keep running fun, teach the basics, and give runners a chance to experience cross country before high school.

"I keep it social letting them stretch on their own, chat, and become friends. I try to teach them as much as possible on the sport of running and XC that they can grasp at this young age," Dunn said. "They learn XC starting procedures; run drills, stretches, proper running form. They easily slide on to High School teams as "old pros."

With over 30 years of experience as both an athlete and coach, Dunn's seen a lot of runners burn out young, especially girls. Although he's coached some of the top young talent in Hillsborough County, Dunn is careful to create their training with their age in mind, not just ability.

Unlike high school teams, the Tornadoes meet only three times a week, with the expectation that they run once more on their own. Their longest run is five miles, and they train off-road almost exclusively. Creating healthy, happy athletes is one of Dunn's main aims.

"I can proudly state that I have never had an injured runner at this age group and this is my number one goal," Dunn said. " I keep the team small, 10-12, and we work within our abilities. I try to develop my athletes."

Although young, the Tornadoes have already set a precedent for success: at the Hillsborough County Championship meet, winner Bailey Hertenstein of Riverview, third-place finisher Josie Garba of Tampa Prep (seen here with Dunn's daughter Katie on far left) and eighth place finisher Brooke Santiesteban were former Tornadoes.

"The program overall is one of the best things I've ever done. I definitely recommend coach Steve as a coach because he pushes his girls to do good, that they always show excellent times," said Hertenstein. "It's amazing! I myself, probably wouldn't be where I am without their training."

And the Tornadoe talent doesn't end with the currently-undefeated Hertenstein. Dunn's current no. 1 runner, seventh grader Isabella Pawloski, ran a 10:33.38 3k for the top middle school time in the country at last weekend's Nature Coast Meet. Although this is her first year with the Tornadoes, Pawloski credits Dunn's coaching philosophy with helping her succeed.

"He has taught me to not worry as much about the outcome of the race and instead try to remember it is supposed to be fun," said Pawloski. "When we found out I was number 1 in Florida and then number 1 in the nation for the 3000 I was surprised but he wasn't. His belief in me has helped me believe in myself and that really helps."

Pawloski, who also competes in triathlons and plays soccer, was already an experienced runner when she joined the Tornadoes, as she's been running competitively since 2013. Last season, Pawloski competed with the Hillsborough Harriers, where she finished second at the FLYRA Middle School State Cross Country championship in 11:04.70 behind eventual FHSAA 2A State Champion Tsion Yared. Under Dunn, she's dropped her 3k time 30 seconds and has placed no worse than fifth in any race in this season.

"She has fit right in with the Tornadoes as she also has a goofy personality," Dunn said. "[She's] very focused, the same look that I have seen in many of my best athletes. When it's race day, everything changes, she gets in the zone and basically all I have to tell her is the finish line is that way."

Although she leads the nation and her time, that doesn't stop Pawloski from embracing the team atmosphere Dunn creates with the Tornadoes.

"Coach Dunn really works with each one of us to make sure we can be the best that we can be, and we celebrate everyone's pr because coach Dunn reminds us every day at every practice that we are a team and to me that has been the best part of being part of this team," Pawloski said. "I've always wanted to do good, but now I want to do good for coach Dunn and my team, so that makes me want to run as strong as I can and I'm sure my teammates feel the same way."

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