4A Region 1: Garcia, Valentine Win

Eduardo Garcia (Mandarin) and Vanessa Valentine (Melbourne).

 

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Photo Album by Ralph Epifanio (Over 500 Photos)

 

 

 

 

 

We reached the business end of the season; it was the time for restructuring. When the races ended, only six teams were left. Or, if you were lucky enough to survive regional downsizing as an independent contractor—and were among the top fifteen runners overall--you got one more week on the job (the “one that got away,” so to speak). Everyone else could go on home; see you in the spring. 

 

As would be expected in such a Trumpian plot, the gun—like the opening bell on a Bull Market—was a signal for mayhem, and the pace reflected that. It was a mob; just under a hundred runners rushing forward like their future depended upon getting to the finish first. And, of course, it did.

 

Few know the Sperling Sports Complex 5K course as well as Mandarin senior Eduardo Garcia. Running—and winning--here in the 2008 4A District 1 Meet (16:00.97), the 2009 4A Districts 1 Meet (16:13), and the 2010 Deland Invitational (15:40), he was familiar with its every nuance, and readily admits to it being an advantage.

 

“It’s the fourth time we’ve run here,” Garcia said. “I think it helps. Once you run a course so many times, you know where to make your move.”

 

A good number of runners in the 14 team field made their move in the first hundred meters, as they tried to be first through a funnel-like orange fence, with an exit about the size of a Taco Bell drive through. Oh, the joys of cross country

 

“I knew that, since this was the Regionals, there would be more guys who would take it out from the start.”

 

By the mile, which was passed in pretty close to five-flat, the mob had dwindled to a pack the size of a corporate board of directors. There was little doubt, however, as to whom would emerge as CEO. Mandarin senior Eduardo Garcia so dominated this race, as he has each of the other three times that he has raced at Sperling Sports Complex, that the meeting was not to determine whether or not he would win, only by how  much.  

 

Two miles, for him, came in ten-eleven, and after that, the rest of his company punched out. 

 

Eduardo’s official time was 15:39, a second faster than his finish at the September 25th Deland Invitational, and a new course record. Considering that he won by over 200 meters—with no one to push him—and the caliber of runners whom he erased from the record books, not once, but twice this season, it appears that he will be entering the FHSAA 4A Meet with a solid portfolio.

 

“This race was great, not only for me, but for the team.  It’s a huge confidence builder for the States. A lot of the guys are seniors, and for a few of us it’s the last time running a State race. That’s very exciting.  

 

“This week, we’ll be fine tuning, so everyone will be healthy and can run the best race of our careers.”

 

BOYS’ TEAM RESULTS – Mandarin did a lot of chopping, but the tree eventually fell Hagerty’s  way.  Although they had no clear front runner to counter Garcia, Hagerty’s strength lay in two tight groupings, one in the teens (10-11-16), and the other in the twenties (24-25-28). They finished with 86 points. Mandarin (1-14-26-31-34-36-56) had 106. Fleming Island was third with 112 (9-19-21-30-33-50-74). Winter Springs (3-12-20-42-47-69-70; 124), Vero Beach (5-8-22-41-49-64-71-; 125), and Buchholz (2-7-13-38-85-90-91; 145) also go on as teams. 99 runners and 14 teams scored.

 

QUALIFIERS - Amu Brewer (fourth in 16:15 for Melbourne), Andrew Carpenter (sixth in 16:28 for Spruce Creek), and Kelly Etienne (12th in 16:35 for Port St. Lucie) moved on as individuals. 

 

Missing by a second was Spruce Creek senior, Mat Miller (16th in 16:44), who has been the glue on a team that set numerous school milestones in 2010. 

 

“I think the guys are one of the most amazing teams I’ve ever seen,” commented Zoe Volenec, their Girls captain. “Especially Mat.  He’s one of the best captains a team could look up to.”

 

Also deserving of notice are the meet’s two top freshmen, Ken Pineiro of Deland (18th in a 16:49 PR), and Sam Duran of Melbourne (24th in 17:00). Time, so to speak, is undoubtedly on their side.

 

The best part of this race was viewing it a second time in the photos. Following the sequence—from several spots—is like seeing it unfold again. You can almost guess who was in the lead in different locations, or at least who the front runners are, by their running form. And then there are the shots that seemingly defy explanation. See if you can find the photo(s) where a certain young lady(s?) seems to be running on air.

 

That might also (figuratively) describe Melbourne junior Vanessa Valentine, as she “aired” a couple of earlier disappointments, and explained how she redeemed herself in this race.

 

“My PR was 18:31…at the worst course ever, Palm Bay Regional Park. That’s where we had our (Cape Coast) Conference Championships (she finished second to Cocoa’s Shelby Davidson—who ran 17:54.75—in 18:37.66 on October 30th), and Districts (on November 6th, where she won). I just never had a good feeling running there…and it’s where I live. I’ve always enjoyed the scenic courses, like The Great American, in North Carolina. It’s always a great feeling running there.”

 

That “feeling” was certainly there this time around.

 

“I discussed the race with my Dad and my coach, and mentally with myself.  You have to go through the race in your mind, so when you actually run the race, it comes natural.”

 

As in crossing the street…which is when she took the lead.

 

“Once we crossed the street (the main drive inside the park), I kept my pace, caught up to them, and picked it up. I knew I had to pass Emily (Ahrens, running for Vero Beach, and who finished second in 18:46), because she has a little more flat-out speed than I do.  She’s a miler.  At the state (track) meet last year (May 8th), she finished something like third (5:09.86).  I got ninth (5:16.39).”

 

That order was exactly the reverse of the State XC Meet on November 21st, 2009: Valentine finished third in 18:42.08, and Ahrens ninth in 19:01.10. 

 

The order of this race, especially in the first mile (which she ran in 5:41), seemed to work to her advantage. 

 

“Mary Kate (Ponder, Mandarin, fourth in 18:59) was up there…Emily, a nice girl and a good runner…Grace (Thomas, Vero Beach; third in 18:58), and Elle Baker, from my team. She’s—Elle—my motivation.  She’s got the speed, and I’ve got the endurance.”

 

And a new personal best: 18:17.  Although it is shy of the 17:39 course record set at the November 1, 2003 4A Region 1 XC Championships by 2005 Oviedo graduate Jenny Barringer, Valentine is breathing in the rarified air of superstardom. (Barringer, incidentally, has since lowered her PR to 15:07.64, was the US steeplechase record holder (9:25.54) while at the University of Colorado, and a (Bejing) Olympian.)

 

“I’m proud of my team.  Although we lost three of our top five, the girls from our JV really stepped up.”

 

Along with Valentine, Barker (fifth in 19:05), Samantha Smith (42nd in 21:11, a season’s best), Mary Johnson (46th in 21:15, a PR) and Molly Delaney (68th in 22:27, a PR) each contributed an erstwhile performance that kept the five alive (fifth team) for one week longer.

 

And what a difference a week can make. Seven days earlier, the Spruce Creek girls slipped a bit in confidence after the 4A District 2 Meet in Melbourne. Although they didn’t quite crash and burn, they might have made an “emergency landing.”  Jocelyn Adona, who had run first all year for Creek, slipped to fourth place on the team (10th overall), and Zoe Volenec finished third for them.  As a result, they finished second to Vero Beach (43 to VB’s 38) in the team standings.

 

“We were supposed to win,” explained Volenec, “but it seemed that everyone had a bad day.  I haven’t had the best of seasons, and today I wanted to do this for my coach and the team.”

 

That morning Zoe laced up her shoes as the Spruce Creek team leader, and ran the race that has somehow been eluding her all season long.

 

“I just had to do it. I had a mental determination. My coach was very encouraging.  Plus all the people—including Elizabeth Srhradr and Heather Garrow drove all the way down from Gainesville to encourage us.  It was nice having people here who really believed in us. I just wanted to succeed.”

 

Finishing in tenth place, Volenec proved herself to be the leader, both in body and spirit, that the Spruce Creek family holds her up to be. Finishing in tenth overall (ninth in team scoring) in 19:50, she led a tight grouping of Hawks—10-11-13—that, along with their 19th, 23rd and 27th place finishes, won the team trophy.

 

Certainly, freshman Lindsey Sullivan (eleventh in 19:51)—who, along with her mother and two brothers are known locally as the “running Sullivans,”—was a HUGE part of the Regional Championship team.

 

“She’s been running so long,” said Volenec. “She’s from a running family.  She’s been running since she learned to walk. She has so much running experience that I think she’s going to be really good.” 

 

Volenec did not stop there.

 

“Jocelyn (13th in 19:56) is so steady.  She’s always someone whom you can count on. 

 

“Rainey (23rd in 20:23) was injured at the beginning of the season, but she never gave up. She’s finally gotten back to where she was and PRd. I’m really proud of her.

 

“Kaitlyn (19th in 20:16) really stepped up last week at Districts (leading the team with a 20:00.40 sixth place overall performance). She didn’t do quite as well (today), but was right behind me. Distance is her thing.

 

“Tori (27th in 20:39) has the longest legs I’ve ever seen. I’d never want to be behind her in the last 100 meters! Even if she seems out of energy, she still flies. She’s in the 4 X 800 in track, and is going to try the mile after this.

 

“Faith (57th in 21:40) is just the sweetest girl; always smiling.  Even if she doesn’t have the best race, she’s always encouraging everyone.  She really wants to break 21 next week and I have a lot of “faith” in her.”

 

GIRLS’ TEAM RESULTS – Spruce Creek (9-10-12-18-22-26-55; 71), Vero Beach (2-3-19-21-43-53-69; 88), Hagerty (7-16-17-25-29-32-39; 94), Mandarin (4-6-20-31-37-40-61; 98), Melbourne (1-5-41-45-66-75-79; 158), and Lake Mary (24-27-35-36-48-50-51; 170) all advance to the State Meet. 95 Runners and 14 teams competed.

 

QUALIFIERS – Individual qualifiers include Regan Farrow (Lake Howell; sixth in 19:19), ninth grader Rachel Singer (Winter Springs; ninth in 19:43), Tara Cripe (Fletcher; 14th in 19:57), and Samantha McCann (Lake Brantley; 15th in 20:00).

 

 

Oddly, there were two Coach Jensens (Spruce Creek Girls and Hagerty Boys), and two Lindsey Sullivans (a freshman at Spruce Creek and a senior at Mandarin) in the same place, and at the same time. Now that’s weird….Coach Lowenstein, in searching for the Sperling course records, relates that had he not run the course earlier in his career, Justin Harbor might own the record: “Justin ran at Deland his freshman year. Then he moved to Flagler-Palm Coast. Meanwhile, because they were continually adding new construction at Sperling, we had to keep changing the course. When Justin came back to run the Conference Championships as a sophomore (2003), he kept getting lost because he remembered the old course. We kept yelling, ‘No, no, Justin, go that way.’ We nicknamed him ‘Wrong Way Harbor.’ He finished in 15:49.” I suggested that he name the final straightaway after Garcia, being that he practically owns it already, but he balked. “I don’t want to give that up yet,” he said. “I’ll give him the northwest turn, the one up by the soccer fields, with 400 to go.”  Okay, so now we’re making progress; a building and a turn….