The Spruce Creek girls qualified for the Cross Country Finals in 2016 and return a core nucleus that has them predicted to finish in the top five. Coach Stephon Gallon gives us the Scouting Report for the 2017 Hawks.
How did your team fare last season and what did you take away from 2016?
Amazing how we added talent to a team from 2015 to 2016. Caitlyn Chartier (junior) and Sam Gayton (sophomore) both had a great first year with the super improved Camryn Cooney (freshman) able to lead the team to a 2016 5 Star championship and a 4A District 2 runner-up finish, as well as a good performance from the "Region of Death" 4A Region1 to move on to the 2016 Cross Country Finals.
How is the team looking this year? What are your tentative top five and top seven?
On paper team returns a strong five of seven from 2016 state qualifying team Camryn Cooney (senior), Sam Gayton (sophomore) Caitlyn Chartier (junior) Bailey Nelson (junior), and Kaityn Murray (junior).
What are the strengths of this team?
The strength of the team is their ability push themselves during training and the self-discipline for 5:45 a.m. summer runs on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday's
What has the training been like?
So far practice have gone well running twice per day this past week 8/7 - 8/10. Getting accustomed to the afternoon heat has had its challenges but no one has giving up (maybe because of the Freeze Pops After practice).
The last four years the team has to traveled to Clermont for training and team bonding and taking advantage of the National Training Center staff and facility. The team also runs the popular 5 mile road twice during the time in Clermont once for 5 miles and a 2nd a 10 mile run. Team captains set up team games and competitions to help with the bonding portion of our camp while the coaches talk about life challenges that has impacted their lives so the athletes can learn to never give up no matter the challenge.
Any new additions who may contribute? Any surprise non-returners?
Three new athletes will surely jump into the top 10 from last spring Track and field team Paige Cooksey (sophomore) Andi Cantlay (junior), and Hallie Williams (senior). The jury still is out, but all three should run under 21:30.
What are the team goals and meets you're keying for this year?
Don't be afraid of success! Our key meets are the Spikes and Spurs /Savanna & David Mohney Memorial Invite /4th Annual Florida Horse Park Invite /Hagerty Invitational / UF Mt. Dew Invitational /Flrunners.com invite 18 /FSU Pre-State.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Good luck to everyone this season.