GIRLS WINNER: Emma Rudman - Sophomore @ Fort Walton Beach High School
Emma Rudman's future looked bright at an early age. As an 8th grader she won the FLYRA Middle School Cross Country State Championship. As a freshman she was 10th at the 3A Cross Country Finals. Coach Jeff and Lissette Fields say that Rudman has the heart of a lion and does not want to do anything but win everytime she goes on the course.
"From her middle school championship she has learned that if she wants it she can achieve it. Her coaches, parents, and team know this very well and most importantly Emma knows this."
Rudman has won five of the seven meets she has competed in including county, district, and most recently a regional championship. Coming into it the coaches told Rudman it would be a two girl race between her and Nease senior Karen Xiang. The sophomore who is used to running out front, trailed Xiang early on in the race, but knew if she could stay close she could pull it out. coach Jeff Fields says everytime she passed by him he had to smile because he saw nothing but confidence in his young standout.
"We never doubted that Emma could win. I believe she can win state. She is beyond determined and there is no quit in her ever or at any point in any race. If you saw her run track you know her kick is phenomenal. We wanted her at the 400 meter point to start the kick and finish it in the final 100-200. She executed that perfectly."
She crossed the line in 18:44.53 edging out Xiang who was undefeated prior to the regional championship. Surprised? Upset win? Her coaches believe this wins makes her the favorite. Caroline Barlow and Emily Edwards have gone back and forth, throw in the Estero girls lead by Araceli Leon, and Xiang, and you have one of the most competitive fields in a long time. At this point in the game you throw the personal bests out the window and must run a tactical race. That is exactly what Fields says needs to happen.
"Emma needs to run her race and out kick the field. She is ready and once the gun goes off the killer instinct in her will come out and she'll get it done. It's going to be a great race. Our goal has been top two at region and top five at state (she's not really satisfied with that anymore) and she wants to go under 18 as well. Anyone who does not think Emma can win this or any race just needs to watch her a few times. It's all about the race and who wants it more and no one wants it more than her."
Fields has faith in her that she can win every race she enters and gets the same thrill watching her that he did in a former Florida standout.
"I think this year was the springboard for her and that the next two years will see her grow exponentially. I loved to watch Matt Bevil (aka the Beast) close a anchor leg and pass like the other runner was standing still and often from 200 back. He was never out of a race. Emma gives me that same thrill when I watch her race and finish. It keeps you excited about the sport and coaching. We are honored to coach her and excited about the endless possibilities."
Emma's Athlete Profile
BOYS WINNER: Joey Fitzpatrick - Eighth Grader @ Lake Weir Middle School
Running was in Joey Fitzpatrick's bloodlines. His father Mike was a successful distance runner at Boca Raton High School in the 1970's. His older brother Boston won a national championship with the Florida Gliders in 2011. An eighth grader at Lake Weir Middle School, Fitzpatrick doesn't have a school team to run for and trains alone most of the time putting in 15 miles per week of distance runs and an addition five miles in speed work. When his father Mike isn't coaching him, Fitzpatrick spends time with the Central Florida Gliders. His dad says the group has been a great help.
"The Glider relay team took the silver in the 4x8 at the USATF Junior Olympics. Knowing he had to be accountable to his teammates really helped his training alone. That kept it fun during the summer. I encourage families in outlying areas to find a program like the Gliders."
Fitzpatrick spent his summer competing in AAU meets and USATF meets, trying to find that competition he had been longing for. As a sixth and seventh grader he had some of the top times for his age group. After finishing, 12th at the FLYRA Middle School Cross Country State Championships, the 2013 edition was marked in his calendar well in advance. His dad says he wanted the win all summer long.
"He was very focused on this. So we chose to train for one race, FLYRA state ! For instance the day before the Disney race he did his usual Thursday workout. He kept his routine. The last month he paid close attention to diet, lost two pounds and rested during the week."
The game plan going in was for Fitzpatrick to stay with the leaders, resist taking an early lead, and if the first mile felt slow then to go. The leaders went through the first mile in five minutes and the youngster felt in control at that point and resisted taking the lead until the final stretch of the race. He crossed the line in first place with a time of 9:48.30 breaking the meet record set by Brandon Marquez in 2011 and the one year old course record of 10:21. Fitzpatrick says he was proud of his son's performance.
"We knew victory was a possibility, knew it would probably take a sub 10 minute performance at Holloway, something that never had been done. Its a tough course ! We knew how tough and focused Trevor Foley was. It was a great race."