XC Scouting Report: Northport Girls

Florida XC 2014: Scouting Reports
Todd Grasley



In 2012, Northport High School had a team of five girls and didn't have enough points to score at districts. In 2013, the goal was to have enough athletes to compete and score at invitationals. A large group of incoming freshman and a few surprise gave the Bobcats several impressive team performances including a win at the Manasota Track Club Invite, the team's first district championship (4A-8) and a 4A-2 regional runner-up trophy. Coach James Simpson hopes that youth and potential is on display once again this year with a core group that returns all but one senior from last year's fifth place team. Maddie Krstec returns for her sophomore season as the top finisher for North Port at the state meet, where she came in 21st, and boasting a personal best of 19:12.60.

How is the team looking this year? 
 
Our 2014 season is looking pretty solid. These young ladies are very determined to have a great season. The top 5 are working towards a 500+ mile summer and 6-14 are not far behind with 400+ efforts. We only lose one from last years squad. If their summers are any indication on where they will end up we should be very competitive. My top 5 could possibly break 20:00 and 6&7 should be able to provide some depth tagging right along around 20:30 or so, God willing. As long as we stay injury free it should be an exciting year.
 
What are the strengths of this team? 
 
Our strengths of our 2014 squad will be our leadership. My three seniors Violet Carr, Sydney Guenther and Jamie Weisberger have really stepped up and proven to be great leaders. With their commitment and determination to go out and a high note the rest of the girls have bought into the idea that they can win. We are a family and I think most of all that's what makes us who we are. The girls know that every time that they're toeing the line they can look to their left and right and know that all their teammates will no doubt give it 100% no matter how much they hurt.
 
What has the training been like and have you gone to any camps?
 
Training has been pretty intense. I'm a very vocal and sometimes intense coach. The girls have worked very hard all summer putting in the miles and hitting the weight room regularly.
We just returned from Warrior Running camp at Webber International University. What a great week. I think the girls became a lot closer this week. We always preach family and camp is definitely a great time to gel and become one. We got a lot of good quality runs in at camp on a lot of variation of terrains. In North Port we have more flat surfaces than anything. Camp introduced us to enough hills to last us a lifetime. We left camp hoping we don't see anymore hills for a while. Lol
 
Do you have any new additions who may contribute or any surprise non-returners?

Losing one from last years squad left us with a little hole in our top 5. We have a couple new additions to the 2014 squad. Shelby Cutchineal which ran track for us in the spring will help us fill the spot after losing our number three from last year. We also add Kayla Dennis and incoming freshman Emily Rumisek which I think will give us some depth to keep the ladies on their toes and not get complacent. I'm excited to say that every one is returning as far as I know. No surprises that I'm aware of. I haven't received any of those dreaded phone calls yet.

What are the team goals and meets you're keying for this year? 
 
Our team goals for this year are just to be competitive, injury free and most of all have fun. Some of the meets we are keying on this year are of course the North Port Invite being at home we always like to run well. Pre State meet at FSU is always exciting to run at especially if their is a possibility to make it back for the state meet. Then there is always the state series district, regional and state competitions. We hope to be competitive enough to defend our 4A-8 district championship and contend for our first Regional title in North Port Cross Country history last year being runner ups and missing it by ten points. As for states we finished an unbelievable 5th place in 2013 and we can only hope to improve on that finish.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I would just like to say that these young ladies amaze me each and every day. I'm so blessed to have the athletes that I do. They work hard both athletically and academically. I believe the sky is the limit. It's up to them everyday. I always ask them during workouts how bad do you want it? We will see. It all begins on September 6th at Estero. Let's get after it ladies. Our quote for this year is " If it's important to you, you will find a way...If not you will find an EXCUSE.
 

Top Returner's Times (Based On Previous Season)

Girls 5,000 Meter Run (XC)
 
19:12.60 Krstec, Maddison North Port XC Invitational presented by Warrior Running Camps 2013-09-21
19:33.85 Guenther, Sydney FHSAA 4A District 8 2013-10-23
20:01.00 Boethig, Kaley Foot Locker South Regional 2013-11-30
20:24.71 Weisberger, Jamie FHSAA Cross Country State Finals 2013-11-09
 
Girls 3,200 Meter Run
 
11:42.96 Boethig, Kaley FHSAA Outdoor State Finals, Saturday 2014-05-03
11:44.75 Guenther, Sydney FSU Relays 2014-03-21
11:53.17 Weisberger, Jamie Wally Keller Invitational 2014-04-11

Girls 1,600 Meter Run
 
5:26.46 Krstec, Maddison 4th Annual Marcus Freeman Memorial Invitational 2014-03-27
5:32.20 Guenther, Sydney 4th Annual Marcus Freeman Memorial Invitational 2014-03-27
5:33.24 Cutchineal, Shelby Sarasota Riverview Ram Invite 2014-02-28
5:33.76 Weisberger, Jamie 4th Annual Marcus Freeman Memorial Invitational 2014-03-27
5:36.16 Boethig, Kaley 4th Annual Marcus Freeman Memorial Invitational 2014-03-27
5:41.97 Boethig, Lindsay FHSAA 4A District 8 2014-04-17


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