When Jacksonville University coach Ron Griggs redesigned his early season invitational course, little did he consider the far-reaching effects that these “adjustments” would have. Annoyed by flooding—the course runs beside the St. John’s River,--hampered by what might be understated as “soft spots” in the grass, and subjected to the constant scrutiny of a pod of persistent and vigilant river dolphins, he almost reached the end of his patience the week before the meet.
“They decided to put a walkway in this week….” he said, trailing off.
Being the dedicated coach that he is, he—and no doubt everyone he could find to help--spent most of that Friday preparing what was left of his course for the 6:00 meet. As testimony to his persistence, two world records and 77 personal (every registered runner) records were set at the September 3rd Jacksonville Duals.
At this point, I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t pause to mention that the distance of the race(s) had a lot to do with the outcome of the aforementioned…milestone. As he readily admits—and we pause while he consults with his calculator:
“It is—as he had planned all along--a short course. The women’s course is 3260 meters, and the men’s…4836 meters.”
So there you have it; proof of perfection. There being no other courses of this length, there can be little doubt in the validity of the dozens of records!
As laid out in the rules of Griggs’ five team invitational, each team competed against each other, in a kind of quadualier (is that a word?) meet. Emerging on top, in both the men’s and women’s race, was the northernmost Florida cross country powerhouse, the Ospreys of North Florida. Bringing to mind the phrase carpe diem (seize the day), they literally swept the first five places in both races. But that’s only half the story.
“We did a two mile tempo run about ten minutes before the race, and then went right into the race,” explained Shelby Kittrell after her “record” performance. “We stayed together (the top six), and tried to stay in the pack for at least the first mile. After that first mile, our coach, Mark Van Alystyne, told us that we could ‘let go’.”
In finishing in a breathtaking 12:28.55, the former Fernandina Beach standout (18:02 PR), not only set the world standard for 3.260 kilometers, but won her first college meet. In doing so in the typical manner—simply outrunning everyone in the field--she did so in an atypical fashion.
“I usually don’t think about it (winning). I just go with it and run…I just do it.”
“Just do it”…hmm, catchy. That (being “catchy”) was something that could not be attributed to James Post (also a sophomore), for the Osprey Men’s team. It too, was his first college win.
“We kind of did the same thing (as the women); stayed together for two miles and then opened up gaps.”
That came after a slightly longer three mile, 15 minute, tempo run.
Post—unfortunately for him, not an heir to the breakfast cereal empire of the same name—was already looking ahead to the upcoming UF meet.
“At Mt. Dew we’re going to start out at a 5:20 pace, and then pick it up. Those guys are going to roll! So I’m shooting for 26.”
With an 8K PR of 26:30, that will certainly be within reach for the former Melbourne star.
Results and Photos
Final Team Standings
Men
North Florida: 4-0
Savannah State: 3-1
Stetson: 2-2
Bethune-Cookman: 1-3
Jacksonville: 0-4
Women
North Florida: 4-0
Jacksonville: 3-1
Stetson: 2-2
Savannah State: 1-3
Bethune-Cookman: 0-4