Chiles Quest For Number Four Won't Come Easy Todd Grasley Aug 31, 2011

The girls at Chiles High School have won the past three 3A Cross Country Championships. The quest for number four won't be as easy. If the Timberwolves want to be on top they will have to do it with one of the top duos in the state, seniors Carly Thomas and Lily Williams.

Ponder's Training Plan Is Complete Package Todd Grasley Aug 24, 2011

Nutrition, strength and core training. Those three factors are what sets Mandarin's Mary Kate Ponder apart from her peers. The senior says she is had her best summer yet and has transitioned right into cross country training following a successful track season in which she placed second in the 1600 and fourth in the 3200.

Cross Country Q&A - Aaron Rojas Todd Grasley Aug 23, 2011

Estero's Aaron Rojas is gearing up for his senior season and hoping to lead his squad to back-to-back state championships. The Wildcats move up to 3A for the 2011 season with the likes of Belen Jesuit, Tallahassee Lincoln, and Fort Walton Beach. See how Rojas and his teammates have been preparing, his goals for the season, and which former Estero runner inspires him in this Cross Country Q&A.

Cross Country Q&A - Bridget Blake Todd Grasley Aug 20, 2011

Dr. Phillip's star Bridget Blake is one of the favorties to win the 4A Cross Country Championships. As a freshman at Freedom, Blake finished second to Winter Park senior Shelby Hayes who is now at the University of Florida. Her sophomore season she finally got over the hump and took home her first state championship and led the Panthers to a third place finish. See how Blake got started in the sport, her experience this summer with one of the country's top coaches, and her expectations for her junior year in this Cross Country Q&A.

Mustangs Find Inspiration Through Music Todd Grasley Aug 19, 2011

A trail run just isn't the same without a little music. The Lakewood Ranch girls' cross country team might be mistaken for the cast of Glee, as they belt out the Foundations' hit single "Build Me Up Buttercup" during workouts. Junior Olivia Ortiz says the squad doesn't discriminate when it comes to the classics."We mostly sing while we are in the middle of runs. We sing oldies and new songs. It's pretty much whatever comes to our heads at the moment. I think singing is just a way for us to make what we are doing fun."

Cross Country Q&A - Vanessa Valentine Todd Grasley Aug 18, 2011

Melbourne senior Vanessa Valentine came up just short of a cross country state title last year. Valentine finished second to Dr. Phillip's Bridget Blake in a time of 18:23.13. She also had an impressive track season finishing third in the 1600 and second in the 3200 at the 4A state finals. See what her summer training has been like, where she went for her first running camp, what she expects from the team's move down to 3A and much more in this Cross Country Q&A.

Grippo Glad To Be Running For Gulf Todd Grasley Aug 09, 2011

Kari Grippo is glad to be running for Gulf High School. She transferred there midway through the year last year from Fivay High School so that she could attend their Health Careers Academy, a program that helps prepare students to enter the medical field. The FHSAA saw the move as one for athletic purposes and a recruiting violation. As a result they ruled her ineligible to participate in track and cross country for the Buccaneers. It was a decision the Grippo's fought, but lost on the regional and state level. She looks at the whole process as a blessing in disguise.

Smith Leads The Way As Estero Moves To 3A Todd Grasley Aug 08, 2011

Some people learn to embrace change while others shy away from it. Estero junior Kacy Smith knows the leap from 2A to 3A won't be easy, but it doesn't bother her one bit. Last year Smith won individual gold and led her team to a state cross country championship as well.

Cross Country Q&A: Shelby Davidson Todd Grasley Aug 04, 2011

Cocoa Beach senior Shelby Davidson finished as the 2A Cross Country runner-up last year and led her team to a third place finish. This year she has her eyes set on not an individual title but a team championship as well. See what she has been doing to prepare for the upcoming season, her ideal course, what kind of gear you can find her in, and much more in this cross country Q&A.

Emily Edwards Transfers To Fort Myers Jul 27, 2011

Fort Myers' Coach Kelly Britton has confirmed  that Canterbury's Emily Edwards has transferred to the school for her sophomore season. As a freshman she placed sixth in the 1A Cross Country Championships. On the track she placed second in the 800 and third in the 1600.