TAMPA – Of all the sports, is there a lonelier, more solitary one than cross country?
There are no hand offs, plays, or huddles. Once the race begins, it's just the runner, step after step, running among the leaves, rocks, dirt, up and over hills--no cheerleaders, no marching bands.
For Brigithe Moreno, it's even lonelier than for most. Moreno, a sophomore at Plant High School with all the talent in the world and dreams to match, barely even has the teammates or the coaching staff at the finish line. Sure, she is the best runner on a strong Plant cross country team and a state contender in outdoor events as well, but Moreno barely speaks English and works out alone, meeting with her teammates only during meets.
Her coach at Plant, Roy Harrison, said he is rarely able to speak to Moreno because she doesn't practice with the team and receives all of her coaching from her father, Angel. Angel Moreno has great credentials. He was a world-class distance runner for Mexico ...
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