The 2012 Olympia Titans have the perfect mix of youth and experience. After finishing fourth in 2011, the team returns six of its top seven runners. The squad loses senior leader Alyssa Hammel who has gone on to run for the University of Central Florida. After breakout freshman campaigns Emily Headley and Taylor Watson return for their sophomore seasons. Headley finished second at the 4A Cross Country Finals behind Bridget Blake in 18:35.29. One week later she ran a personal best of 18:10 to finish 35th at a very tough Footlocker South course in North Carolina. Blake, the two time state champion, remains the individual to beat, but Headley will definitely make it competitive come November. Olympia has a potent 1-2-3 punch with Headley, Watson, and senior Kaitlyn Campo. Watson finished 14th at state with Campo two spots behind her in 16th. Other returners include seniors Megan Murphy and Emilie Flament, as well as sophomore Olivia Piatkowski.
On the track, four of the girls have gone under six minutes for the mile. Headley has the best time in coming in with a 5:13.76 she ran at the Pepsi Relays. Senior Kaitlyn Campo is right behind her at 5:16.99 Campo leads the team with her 3200 meter time of 11:24.25. Headley is second with an 11:48.66 set at the Metro Conference Finals. Headley was also a part of the 4x800 meter relay team that finished fourth at state.
Last year, the 4A girls race saw the top three team spots come down to the wire. Six points separated first from third, while Olympia was left on the outside (by 50 points) in fourth last year. That is why Coach Williams is preaching depth. It is going to be tough as usual with South Florida programs Ferguson, St. Thomas, and Lourdes, as well as the back-to-back defending state champions, Tampa Plant. Olympia has a great shot to make the podium, but the Titans need the back of the pack to step up throughout the season.
(Photos courtesy of Barbara Moore)
Coach Williams Says...
2012 Returner's Top Times
5K XC
| Olympia HS | 691 | |||
| 1) Emily Headley | 18:10.00 | 12 | ||
| 2) Kaitlyn Campo | 18:24.67 | 17 | ||
| 3) Taylor Watson | 18:52.43 | 33 | ||
| 4) Megan Murphy | 20:31.31 | 243 | ||
| 5) Olivia Piatkowski | 21:03.33 | 386 | ||
| Average Time: 19:24.35 -- Total Time: 1:37:01.74 -- 1-5 Split: 2:53.33 | ||||
| 6) Emilie Flament | 21:12.05 | 418 | ||
| 7) Brianna Lenz | 21:54.77 |
625 |
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Girls 3200 Meter Run |
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| 11:24.25 | Campo, Kaitlyn | Kowboy Invitational |
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| 11:48.66 | Headley, Emily | Metro Conference Finals |
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| 12:39.70 | Piatkowski, Olivia | Pepsi Florida Relays |
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| 12:57.30 | Murphy, Megan | Brian Jaeger Elite Classic |
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Girls 1600 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 5:13.67 | Headley, Emily | Pepsi Florida Relays |
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| 5:16.99 | Campo, Kaitlyn | Bob Hayes Invitational |
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| 5:46.34 | Piatkowski, Olivia | Brian Jaeger Elite Classic |
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| 5:52.80 | Murphy, Megan | FHSAA 4A District 3 |
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