NOTE:
Only three coaches have reported their rankings. We will post the remaining five rankings as soon as receive them, so please do not email me and ask where they are! Coaches, please get them in ASAP. And anyone who has a list and contact information of all of the pollsters who were appointed at the June FACA Coaches\' Clinic, please email that to me.
Individuals
1. Steve Curley: Top CC returner and made a big jump last summer. He had a great track season and will be hard to beat on the grass.
2. John Roberts: A super track season and has a great training partner. Will have a senior year to remember.
3. Austin Joiner: Did not run state last year due to injury but finished 2nd at state in 3200 and clocked a 9:24 2 mile 3 weeks later.
4. Vance Berry: Ran 16:29 last year and will run better this year to fill Tim\'s void.
5. Alex Plasencia: Led Ransom Everglades to a 4th place team finish and has the coaching and team to back him this year.
6. Joshua Elam: Came on strong at the end of the year and ran 16:33 at Ed Radice.
7. Sean Blaney: Had a great CC season as a soph last year and should improve on his 16:36 state time.
8. Zach Cohen: completes the Trinity Prep trio that should be the best in 1A.
9. Justin Taylor: Great track season thru the mile. Ran 17:15 last year at state but will see if can improve that.
10. Miles Harris/Steven Hale : To close to call : )
Teams:
1. Trinity Prep: Top 3 are best in state and 4th is not bad they say.
2. Episcopal: Berry,Roces,Gayle,Jorgensen,Paulk are a solid top 5!
3. Indian Rocks: Rousoneoous brothers along with Kotchman will be tough.
4. Ransom Everglades: Peaked at the right time last year. Don\'t expect any different this year.
5. Holy Trinity: A healthy Tiger team could be tough to tame.
6. Frostproof: They return all 5 on a very sold team that finished 8th last year.
7. Oak Hall: Harris brothers have this team moving up every year and Coach Edwin even helps at times : )
8. First Academy: Solid 4 runners coming back with a hungry Blaney leading the way.
9. P. K.Yonge: This team is moving up every year as well. Don\'t underestimate them.
10. John Carrol: Solid front 3, can they find 2 more?
1A Girls Rankings By Coach Gary Droze (Maclay)
Teams
1. Holy Trinity Academy - If this were the AP poll, it\'d be unanimous except for the FSU homer that always votes for the Seminoles to be first. The Tigers are clearly the best team in the state, regardless of classification and a favorite to win a Nike Team National berth. Simple as that. Have a hard time seeing anyone \"Stop Three\"
2. Oak Hall - Second to HTA by 12 points last year and 139 points ahead of third place Episcopal -- a pretty wide gap between these two and the rest of the field. We all know that progression and titles are earned during the offseason and time will show if these Eagles want to challenge their friendly rivals for the title.
3. Episcopal - I know I promise that this won\'t be a reguritation of last year\'s state results, but it\'s clear that this is where the top-3 (4) belong. Despite losing the last staples of their 2000 state champion squad (Robyn DeBenedet and Sara Loveless), the Eagles actually get stronger with the transfer of Maggie Traylor and return of Emily Ingham. Their depth will likely lose out to Oak Hall\'s, but their front runners will provide enough to garner Coach K\'s 6th straight top-4 finish.
4. Maclay - Region 1 is the toughest, and the Mauraders are a solid No. 4. Coach Droze and clan pulled out of nowhere to gain this spot in 2003 and return the bulk of their squad. Should be a tough group to crack, though reaching the top-3 won\'t be easy.
5. Berkley Prep - sixth a year ago and return four of their top-5 from a perennial strong squad. Expect improvement to come in October as it always does from this clan and their return to the top-5 in 2004.
6. Ransom Everglades - this well-coached and well-liked crew was imbedded in the top-5 last year before surcumbing to a below-average showing at the state meet. They return their entire lineup save No. 5 and should easily move up. If anyone could crack unexpectedly into the top-4 it\'s this crew.
7. Trinity Prep - The Saints take it hard with the losses of No. 1 runner Alicia Ivanhoe and No. 4 state finisher Martha McLeod - both of whom moved during the offseason. The Saints have a strong tradition and should remain tough, but will need to rely on their bevy of depth to crack the top-5 again. They, however, surprised us with their top-5 finish a year ago and could do so again in 2004.
8. Indian Rocks Christian - 14th a year ago --- but the observing eye will catch that it was due to the DNF of Melissa Kotchman. Even a modest prediction of place for the standout puts them in 6th or 7th. This crew will be ready to roll and Kotchman showed in track that she\'s still a consistent and bright performer. Depth is obviously the issue and they will need to develop that or pray that they remain healthy at all times.
9. PK Yonge - Last year\'s \"Most Improved\" team in my book and coach\'s Hollinger will likely continue that trend. Depth is the biggest issue, but as the Blue Wave matures and advances, this program could be around to stay for quite some time. Expect strong finishes in late October and November.
10. Benjamin - A ton of departures of last year\'s 7th place squad. However, the Orange-and-Blue attack has been strong over the past 10 years and will likely continue that trend this season. It\'s hard to put them out of the top-10 no matter who has graduated.
11. Miami Country Day
12. Keswick Christian
13. Westminster Academy
14. Lakeland Christian
15. St. John Neumann
Individuals
Holy cloud of smoke Batman !! This group is almost undecearnable. Any of the top-9 girls have a legitimate chance of winning the state crown. Traylor and Hale, a pair of youngsters own the top 3200-meter times of the group, but are still unproven on the grass at that level. If they can stay injury-free and continue the development they\'ve shown in the past year, they\'ll have a shot to be two of the all-time greats in Florida and could be a great rivalry. Zuhlke gets the nod though as the current No. 1 based on her strong progression during track and consistent performance over the cross season last year. Abbey didn\'t improve as much as the others in track, but is a solid No. 2 based on her runner-up 3200-meter performance and runner-up showing at last year\'s state meet. Should be an exciting year in Class 1A girls with the race up to whoever works the hardest and has a bit of luck. Can think of at least one girl who\'s not even ranked that wouldn\'t be a surprise at all if she won her third state championship (first two in track)
1. Rebecca Zuhlke (Holy Trinity Academy) - fast track times, consistent cross performances a year ago. The leader in a close-knit group of contenders.
2. Danielle Abbey (Oak Hall) - second to Hale in the 3200 at the Class 1A state meet, but cross has always been her best game. A proven performer at the end of the year, expect Abbey to lead the Eagle charge.
3. Kayla Hale (Holy Trinity Academy) - 11:30s as an EIGHTH GRADER. Nothing short of impressive. Tough kid with a lot of grit and excitement. Ran outstanding at the state meet a year ago and could easily be considered the favorite.
4. Maggie Traylor (Episcopal) - 11:24 as an 8th grader on the track and easily the one with the biggest upside in the pack. Could be Episcopal\'s fourth state champion in the last five years.
5. Chelsea Joiner (Holy Trinity Academy) - loves the grass. Was more consistent in track than ever before and will use that experience to push towards the top in cross. The HTA top-3 is often intertwined and interchangeable. Could be the best of the bunch on any given day.
6. Laura Steel (Episcopal) - 1600/800 meters was where she focused during track and that speedwork could pay off. A top-10 performer a year ago that matched Traylor stride-for-stride in every race they ran together this track season. A tough racer and a potential state champion.
7. Hailey Mercer (King\'s Academy) - Sidelined by an injury after NIC in track, the 1A wise should not forget about this standout. A sluggish state meet in 2003, but a very capable performer. Don\'t think anyone forgets her 1600/3200 meter double at the 2003 Class 1A track meet.
8. Farrah Stewart (Jay) - usually a tougher performer in cross than track, and Stewart showed a ton of progression this spring. She ran 11:40s consistently and placed third in Class 1A at 3200-meters. Her experience gives her an edge against the group of mostly youngsters.
9. Jade Miller (Holy Trinity Academy) - Yes, I know she was 6th at last year\'s cross meet, but you don\'t want a reguritated renditition of those results do you? Miller was off the charts in track, and slips because of it. However, we all know that the HTA clan thrives off cross and each other and of course I expect Miss Miller to be the same threat as the rest of this group. Not slighting her, just hard to knock the noted improvement of those above.
10. Laci Huddleston (Oak Hall) - I\'m operating under the pretense that she\'s still an Eagle, though she chose softball over track in 2003. A steady and strong performer and key cog in Oak Hall\'s machine a year ago. Could pressure the top group if able to return to last year\'s form.
11. Melissa Kotchman (Indian Rocks Christian)
12 .Adriana Piekarewicz - Maclay
13. Caitlin Lowery - Oak Hall
14. Emily Ingham - Episcopal
15. Jessica Pendergast - Lake Highland Prep
4A Boys Rankings By Coach Mike Hill (Winter Park)
August 2004
1. Winter Park (1) Winter Park returns the top 3 runners Coleman Hoover (15:34), Donny Anguish (15:57), and Caleb Vogt (16:03) from last year's state meet and adds quality Lake Highland Prep transfer Andrew Chuplis (16:18). The top 5 should be rounded out by the much improved Chris Sickinger (sub 4:30/1:55 track). 4 of the top 5 are seniors, and they are poised to make history by winning a fourth straight title in '04. Here's the catch – their next 10-12 guys all have cross 5K PR's from 18 to 19 minutes. If the Park gets sick/hurt watch out, watch out.
2. Colonial (4) The Grenadiers return all of their top 7 guys and have yet another year of training under Coach Placensia. After a tie breaker loss to WP at Metros last year, Colonial had some post season ups and downs. The continued development of Alvin Charles (16:08/9:33/4:25) and soph. Alex Wills (16:42/9:58/4:31) and the progression of Primo Cano (16:52), Javier Pagan,(sub 17), Kyle Dillet (1:58/16:44) and Pat Hale, will put Colonial in a very enviable position. Good coaching and good athletes make this a very good squad.
3. Edgewater (5) The Eagles come back for more this year led by senior Drew Horner (4:24/9:47/15:58). If Drew can make it through the season without incident, he could be a legitimate challenger for the top spot. He has an excellent support cast made up of Kyle Scott/Seth Procter/Hanif Ali/Courtney Morris/Kyle Gregory giving them 6 of their top 7 returning. Mark Richard is a big loss as he is off the Naval Academy, but WP transfer Carlos Phillips (1:55/:49/17:36) gives them yet another bullet for the gun.
4. Boone (3) The Braves seem to be near the top year in and year out. Junior to be Aaron Kindt made huge jumps in track season (9:39) and along with Artist Jones (1:56/16:31) seems ready to lead another charge for the crown. They will be backed up by Jordan Notaro, Steven Legei, and newcomer Andrew Winner (4:50 as a 9th grader). As usual look for Boone to pick up quality freshmen as they maintain their hold as one of the top 5 programs in the state.
5. Buchholz (2) The Bobcats had an amazing season last year as both programs took home hardware at the state cross country meet and the boys came back and were state champs in track. On paper, this looks like a reloading year for THE team north of Orlando, but don't let the early season fool you. Norris and Paulk are doing great things with this group and they are a very hungry bunch. Look for Fitzpatrick (16:39) and Payne (16:42) to be joined by Aaron Griffith (17ish), and 2 lap specialist Chris Chidgey (1:59) as the core of this squad. They could very much be in the top 2 or 3 come November!
6. Lyman (6) The Greyhounds can look forward to this season for a couple of reasons. They are young and talented, and their coach knows what to do. Bobby Saltsman had an excellent freshman season (16:52/10:04) and will probably lead the young Hounds. Look for help from Zach Gerhardt who has also seen the sunny side of 17 flat. Daniel Bush is a low 17 guy. With a handful of guys looking to go sub 18 along with these 3, Lyman will once again be a part of the big show.
Here's where I'm just not sure who has what, so take these next 4 with a grain of salt.
7. Cypress Bay (16) CB gets the nod here as South Plantation's Richie Bonilla gives them 4 returners under 18 with 2 guys under 17 (Ramsaran). Don't know much about their depth, but these four are a good start.
8. St Pete Seminole (8) Seminole sits here as the only other team to return 4 sub 18 minute guys for the 2005 season.
9. Winter Springs (DNQ) Gonna go with the Bears here because of Kyle Jones (4:25/9:45/16:44), Chris Gregory (16:40), and the fact they return 4 of their top 5. Unfortunately, they are in the same region as 1-6.
10. Martin County (7) MC goes here because Joey Fatiella makes them only score 4 at the state meet.
On the Bubble: Boyd Anderson, Miami Columbus, Wellington, Sarasota, and Miami Central.
Individuals
1. Coleman Hoover 12th WP 15:34/4:16 returning state champ
2. Alvin Charles 12th Colonial 16:08/9:33/4:25 – 6th at state in 2003
3. Donny Anguish 12th WP 15:57/9:42/4:28 – 4th at state in 2003
4. Caleb Vogt 11th WP 15:57/9:42 – 5th at state 2003
5. Drew Horner 12th Edgewater 15:58/9:47/4:24 – 11th at state in 2003
6. Andrew Chuplis 12th WP 16:18/9:45/4:27 – 4th at 1A state meet in '03
7. Joey Faitella 12th Martin Cty 16:12/9:50/4:34 – 9th at state in 2003
8. Aaron Kindt 11th Boone 16:24/9:39 – 14th at state in 2003
9. Brandon Calabro 12th South Plant. 16:20/9:47/4:26 – 26th at state in 2003
10. Kyle Jones 12th Winter Spr 16:44/9:45/4:25 – 30th at state in 2003
Also:
Keith Moody 12th Spruce Creek 16:26/4:34
Corey Ronk 12th St. Cloud 16:12/9:59
Artist Jones 12th Boone 16:31/1:56