Scouting Report: Gulf Coast Girls

The Gulf Coast girls cross country team finished eighth at the state meet in 2012 with top runner Caroline Barlow crossing the line in fourth place and making the medal stand. The take away from last year was the the team needed to build more depth and bring four through seven further up the finishers list.  Barlow leads a top four that has been running together since 2010 including Danielle de Greef, Samantha Davis, and Allayna Vanderheid. Caroline's father, Coach Paul Barlow, says the girls have been logging more miles than ever before and our ready to make their senior season a special one.

Three newcomers enter the fold for the sharks in 2013. Seniors Nicole Ferreira and Jennifer Ward along with freshman Sarina Francis should make an impact and crack the top seven. Barlow is hoping that hurdler Tori Stiehl, will come out again for cross country this season. Stiehl did not score last year, but is coming off a tremendous track season. In a team sport, like cross country the bond of the team is extremely important. Barlow says this group of girls is very good friends and works hard together which gives the younger girls excellent examples to follow and with their strong work ethic it makes his job very easy.

Coach Barlow Says...

"The key meets for us will be FLRunners, Pre-State, and the state series of course. We are also running the North Port, Ft. Myers Optimist and the season opening race at Estero. They all are excellent meets that are well organized and each venue offers something unique for the team.  Our goal remains the same as previous seasons, finish as high as possible at the state meet in November.  Our boys soccer team won the state championship last winter and that success has fueled our desire to complete this season on top of the podium."

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