The Westminster Academy boys won their first state title since 1988 last year and sixth overall in history. We talk to Coach Ken Key who returns six of his top seven about his squad, goals for 2017, and more.
How did your team fare last season and what did you take away from 2016?
District Champs (22nd time), Regional Champs (6 in a row), State Champs (6th time, first since 1988). It was the sixth straight year that the team improved their place in the state meet from the year previous. It was highly emotional, to achieve at that level, what we had committed to aim for 7 months prior.
How is the team looking this year? What are your tentative top five and top seven?
We return six of the seven from last year. Virtually the entire team has recorded more summer miles than any year previous (but no one over 400). Saahr Edouard, Josh DeAngulo, (both seniors) DeAngulo twins Benjamin and Elijah plus Dimitri Selimos (three sophomores), then two track non-distance runners Matt Brown (hurdler/jumper) and Nick Rowe (400 specialist), plus Dylan Wood (basketball player) and Brandon Beaupied (whose dad ran on our 1980s teams.
What are the strengths of this team?
Team Unity and deep friendship. Commitment to group goals. Willingness to sacrifice for achievement.
What has the training been like? Have you gone to any camps?
Kids out of town much of the summer. No one attended half of the 3 day a week workouts. But everyone ran an average of 4 or 5 miles, 4 or 5 days a week.
Any new additions who may contribute or any surprise non-returners?
No surprises yet, other than the full-time commitment of our two non-distance track guys. Nick Rowe has more total miles, and more non running training minutes this summer than any of my true distance guys.
What are the team goals and meets you're keying for this year?
The obvious is the biggest - repeat as state champion team. Second would be still worth a smile, but it is no our goal. A seventh straight regional title is worthy of our attention and effort. And then to beat Pine Crest and Calvary in a couple of meets would be a feather in the cap.
Anything else you'd like to add?
We are injury prone, especially the three DeAngulos, currently all nursing conditions - stress fracture, ankle injury, foot tendon condition. Saahr has been at a college campus all summer, completely out of touch. Haven't seen or heard from him since June 1st.
By The Numbers:
| 3 | Westminster Academy (FL) | 229 | ||
| 1) Saahr Edouard | 16:52.84 | 8 | ||
| 2) Benjamin Deangulo | 17:21.68 | 23 | ||
| 3) Josh Deangulo | 17:34.97 | 35 | ||
| 4) Dimitri Selimos | 18:00.64 | 62 | ||
| 5) Brian Washburn | 18:39.24 | 101 | ||
| Average Time: 17:41.87 Total Time: 1:28:29.37 1-5 Split: 1:46.40 | ||||
| 6) Brandon Beaupied | 19:08.14 | 162 | ||
| 7) Matthew Brown | 19:27.61 | 192 | ||