CSS for some marks a mid-summer test of fitness. For me, it has come to symbolize the pendlum shift between outdoor track & field season to cross country in Florida. Many excellent runners have already signed up. Registration is free and closes tonight at 9pm.
Florida Southern student and Citrus High School alumni, Milton Lyons, founded the event, held at Whispering Pines Park in his hometown of Inverness, while he was still in high school. It is supported by sponsors and the Citrus Road Runners.
Vinny Ambrico is the favorite to take the Mens' title. Last year, he took the honor with a commanding 15:23 victory. Florida Southern junior Tyrone Bell is hoping to offer up a challenge for the defending champ. There may be a darkhorse in the hunt, with up and coming Ryan Courtoy of Wharton in the mix, among others. The perenially cocky and outlandishly hairy "Dragon Ball" Lee Stephens may also be a threat, he has cleaned up in the Tampa Bay area road racing scene much of 2005.
Last year's womens' champion, Kelly Parrish's name is absent from the entry list. Based on Parrish's track success she'd be the sure favorite. In her absence, Jacki Wachtel (Waller) will be favored going in. The former Pasco County high school star recently stepped down as track coach of Mitchell in order to focus on her own promising running career. Jael Koech of Florida Southern and a host of other high school and college ahletes, including Deidra Witherspoon (FIU), Jessica Forrester (Wharton) and Leela Hadsock (2A 800m Champ), will be hoping to vie for the title.
Top Seeded Runners as of July 6
Girls - Alphabetical Order
Taylor Cooke
Augusta Dunse
Jessica Forrester
Kristin Galbraith
Elizabeth Garcia
Leela Hadsock
Kelly King
Kelly Kirkpatrick
Jael Koech
Wendy Livingston
Melanie Moyer
Tiffanie Saxton
Danielle Shimer
Holly Van sicklen
Jacki Wachtel
Deirdra Witherspoon
Jessica Wooden
Boys - Alphabetical Order
Kurt Able
Vinny Ambrico
Tyrone Bell
Steven Bell
Phillip Bellamy
Andrew Charles
Ryan Courtoy
Darrin DeTorres
Nick Farrington
Daniel Gollins
Robert Hillman
Louis Rufo
Phillip Scrivner
Lee Stephens
Eric Walker
Ryan White
Brent White
Jake Wilke
Alex Wills
Paul FitzPatrick
Click here for more information and to register. Online registration ends tonight (Thursday) at 9pm. In case you miss it, race day registration and packet pick-up starts at 7am at Whispering Pines Park Picnic Area. Entry is free (which includes a t-shirt). T-shirts are $5 for day of race entries (if available). There are four awards categories: Middle School, High School, College, and Open.