Scouting Report: Estero Girls

After a three year run as cross country champions, the question in 2013 is can Estero hoist the trophy once again? The Wildcats lose two seniors who have been an integral part of the program in Kacy Smith (Ole Miss) and Katy G. Solis (Jacksonville University). Smith and Solis finished second and third respectively in 2012. Coach Jeff Sommer returns five girls with state meet experience headed by seniors Katie Slater and Bethany Jenkins who placed 12th and 13th. Sophomore Daley Cline (25th) and Megan Slater (33rd) are the team's three and four runners. The question for the team will be their depth. Who will step up as the fifth runner and cap off a solid top four? Junior Antonella Valencia has state meet experience and could fill that spot.

Several members of the squad had success on the track as well. Cline and Slater teamed up with Smith and Slater to take home the 4x800 meter relay state championship. Jenkins was 7th in the 3200 meters. Cline, Slater, and Daley have all run under 5:25 for 1600 meters. It's that hard work and discipline that makes Estero physically and mentally tough on the track and on the cross country course.

Coach Sommer doesn't believe in going to a summer running camp, but rather a "Sommer" camp. His name for rigorous workouts in the wee hours of the morning. The group swings sledgehammers, pulls tractor tires, and works on plyometrics. He believes those who can make it through that type of atmosphere are few, but will come out better and stronger in the end, and be willing to put in the work throughout the season. The Wildcats are a four point underdog to Fort Walton Beach in our preseason rankings 164-168. Their 1-4 split is 59 seconds, but 4-5 is 1:39. One thing about a Coach Sommer squad is to never take anything for granted because they will give 110 percent. Estero will find a way to get their fourth consecutive title.

Coach Sommer Says..

"All of our meets are important, but we are keying for the three big state series meets. Our team goals are to always try to compete against the best in order to get better."


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