Gulf senior Kari Grippo ended her high school cross country career with a fifth place showing at the 2A Cross Country Finals and will trade her green and white for green and gold as she joins the Saint Leo University program in the fall of 2014. The school is NCAA Division 2 and just a 40 minute drive from New Port Richey. Grippo who received both academic and athletic scholarships and plans to major in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Leadership says the Lions felt like the perfect fit.
"After meeting the coach (Melissa Miller), the team, and spending a weekend in the dorms and touring the campus, I felt it was a good fit for me. I thrive in a small classroom environment where I am not just a number. I like to know my instructors and I like them to know who I am. I feel that I am going to be a great fit and an asset to the team."
During her time at Gulf High School Grippo, was a three-time team MVP. three-time 1st team All-Conference selection, four-time All-Academic team, two-time SAC, Runner of the Year, 2013 Pasco High School Female Runner of the Year, and a member of the 2013 FACA All-Star Team.
She joins a Lions roster that is composed of several Floridians including current freshman Elizabeth Bruty (Crystal River) and Berlin Waters (Wiregrass Ranch) on the women's side and David Gardner (North Port), Patrick Hill (Wesley Chapel), James Mullin (Navarre), and Adam Urbaniak from nearby Lutz.
Personal Bests
- 1,600 Meter Run - 5:20.86
- 3,200 Meter Run - 11:43.67
- 5,000 Meter Run - 18:06.00
