"It's the strongest team I've had." That is how Doug Butler describes this year's crop of cross country runners at Holy Trinity. In twelve years of coaching he says he's never had a group this deep.
"I've never had nine guys capable of running what these guys are. Joey Castagnaro is a 15:40 guy from last year, he's coming off tendonitis, but he will be a big contributor. Daniel Moore is running phenomenal right now. He is going to shock a lot of people this year. He ran a 15:44 last year and was hurt during track season so he fell off the radar. Alex Hoffman will also be a big key for me. He ran 4:27 in the 1600 and 9:40 something in the 3200. He had a solid track year. If we can get him to put it together for the 5k like he does the two mile that will be big. We've put in a lot of training so the guys are itching to get going and prove themselves."
Eighteen guys came out for summer workouts, the largest group Butler has seen as coach. The Tiger's training consisted of piling on the mileage. Most of the squad averaged 700-800 miles over thirteen weeks, while some peaked at 1,000. They also went to Warrior Running Camp at Young Harris College. Lately, they have been hitting the tempo runs, four-six miles worth, a lot of fartlek runs, and will eventually see some interval work on the track. Coach Butler believes the hard work comes from a mission to be the best.
"I think the kids are tired of getting their butts kicked by Trinity Prep. They've worked hard this year and I think they are tired of being second on the podium. Everyone knows how hard Trinity Prep works and they need to step it up. This is the hardest working crew I've had and if you want to be the best you have to out work the best."
Two of Butler's runners have experienced those two losses to Trinity Prep in 2009 and 2010, but they have also experienced winning the team title as freshman. Moore and Castagnaro are two members of a senior class that are leading this group. Butler says losing a leader like David Kilgore is a huge loss in leadership and talent, but when one guy moves on, another one steps in.
"When they get older you turn them loose. Daniel and Joey have been here for six years. I focus more on the 7th graders and I let the older guys take care of themselves. David led the team last year and now Daniel and Joey are leading the team this year. I think Daniel Moore is running as well as David Kilgore did last year. He put in 1,000 miles this summer. He won't say a word but I know he is thinking about all of David's school records and wanting to take them down. I think Daniel can do just about anything he wants to and run with anyone in Florida, so it is going to be exciting to see him run. Joey getting healthy this week after missing the past two is key. He put in 750 miles over eleven weeks so he has a good base and will be ready. I think those two can run with pretty much anyone when they are healthy."
Butler knows that the past resonates in his runners' minds and he would like nothing more than to see his seniors go out on top.
"I guarantee my guys think about it 365 days a year. Moore, Castagnaro, Oliver, Brown, they were all on that state winning team three years ago and that was the highlight of their careers. I guarantee you they want to go out on top. I know Moore and Castagnaro want the team title more than the individual title and if it meant sacrificing that they would."
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