The girls at Chiles High School have won the past three 3A Cross Country Championships. The quest for number four won't be as easy. If the Timberwolves want to be on top they will have to do it with one of the top duos in the state, seniors Carly Thomas and Lily Williams.
"Here at Chiles we lost a few key players in our line but as seniors, Carly and I will hopefully be able to bring up all of the young runners and round out a solid top five. It would be incredible if we were the team champions again, but if we are as successful as we can possibly be we will be happy."
The team loses their number three, four and seven runners from 2010. Jodie McGuff finished 10th a year ago and Kelly Bahn finished 21st. Thomas says not having those runners this season means the rest of the squad needs to step it up.
"Having Lily and I up there helps, but we need the girls who run spots three through seven pushing to improve because they matter just as much, if not more. Without a strong three through seven teams wouldn't get very far. We all work so hard not just Lily and I, but Rachel Givens, Sara Lane, Jessica Gillard, Ashton McMurrary, and Anna Morse. They've seen the hard work pay off in the past years by running faster times."
During the summers Coach Gowan's squad travels to Boone, North Carolina for the Appalachian State Camp. It's a chance to escape the heat, get back in shape ,and build up their base. The camp also gives them plenty of hill runs, something not many Florida cities have. Williams says Tallahassee is one of the few that do.
"We aren't a ridiculously high mileage type of team. We typically do a hill workout once a week (we actually have a TON of hills up here). I think they are definitely helpful because we can incorporate them into distance runs as well as speed workouts and just get used to them. I don't know if it gives us a huge advantage, but it surely makes it less of a mental challenge. We also have one hard work out later in the week and a lot of core workouts."
The T'Wolves have new competition this year in class 3A. Last year's 2A champion Estero moves up. They are led by individual champion Kacy Smith and are a threat to end the Chiles run. Melbourne moves down from 4A and returns runner-up Vanessa Valentine. Those teams combined with a potent Lakewood Ranch squad that is loaded with depth and WIlliams knows the team battle will be a tough one.
"The cool thing is that every team is kind of good in different areas, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out when we come together. 3A is going to have incredible competition this year on the girls side with Estero and Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch has a great top five with such a small time spread. Estero was incredible last year and they return almost everyone. 3A is going to be a blast this year. We are all so excited to race at such a high level of competition. It always makes everyone better."
Both Thomas and Williams agree the strength of the program is in the coaching. Scott Gowan has been the head man at Chiles for over a decade. His knowledge and dedication to the sport are something they say is unmatched.
"I think Coach Gowan really makes the difference. He really knows how to build championship teams and is a great coach. He really motivates us all to be the best we can be."
Gowan's training has made an impact on Thomas and the rest of the team. She is the only Timberwolve to win an individual state title. The win came in 2009 during her sophomore year. Finishing eight seconds behind her in second was Lily Williams. Williams has finished as runner-up the past three years and is one of the favorites to win the individual crown in 2011. She says that honor would be nice, but that isn't the number one goal; that would be their fourth consecutive team trophy.
"When it comes to cross country the team always comes first. I haven't gotten that elusive state title yet, but the past three years have been great because I've been able to share the victory with my teammates. Of course it would be amazing to win an individual state title as well, especially as a senior, but as long as the team is successful I will be happy."
Interview: Coach Gowan, Lily, and Carly After Pre-State 2010
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