TP Invite: Blake, Salas Start Out 2012 With Wins

Sep 08, 2012

<div style="width: 100%; height: 108px; background-image: url(http://cache.milesplit.com/user_files/1/59581/trackshack-mow-blue-gradient.png); overflow: hidden;"> <div style="float: right; width: 265px; text-align: right; padding: 7px; font-size: 10pt; color: #fff;"> <p style="margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px"> <strong>Central Florida Meet of the Week<br /> Sponsored by TRACK SHACK</strong></p> <p style="font-size: 9pt"> <em>Thank you to Track Shack for their sponsorship and support of our on-site coverage for this and other meets in Central Florida this fall.</em></p> </div> <a href="http://www.trackshack.com/" target="_new"><img src="http://cache.milesplit.com/user_files/1/59581/trackshack-mow.png" style="width: 280px; height: 100px; margin: 4px;" /></a></div>

A soggy, muddy course at the Trinity Prep Invitational greeted athletes and teams to the start of the 2012 cross country regular season. Daniel Salas got the victory on his home course while two-time state champion Bridget Blake started off her season year with a win.

Girls Varsity Race Recap

The girls kicked off the party first and it was Olympia sophomore Emily Headley at the front of the pack bunched up with a group of other girls including Bridget Blake, Kelly Fahey, and Kaley Schmick. When they headed onto the track for the first time Headley was still in the lead with Blake fast on her heels. Headley most of the race, but after the two mile mark Blake and Fahey pulled away. Blake, the two time 4A cross country champion, won easily in a time of 19:36.00. Fahey was second in 19:47.00. Headley finished third just dipping under the twenty minute mark in 19:59.00. She helped lead the Titans to a 39 point win as Olympia placed their top five in the top in the top twelve.

Race Video Highlights by Dean Headley...

Elite Performances: Bridget Blake (Dr. Phillips HS) 19:36.00; Kelly Fahey (Trinity Prep) 19:47.00; Emily Headley (Olympia HS) 19:59.00; Kaley Schmick (Cypress Creek HS) 20:17.00; Amber Johnson(Dr. Phillips HS) 20:17.50; Kaitlyn Campo (Olympia HS) 20:52.00; Autumn Bartlett (University HS) 20:58.

Boys Varsity Race Recap

On the boys side, Trinity Prep senior Daniel Salas knew 2012 was his turn to lead the Saints cross country team. He told me after the race he wanted to go out hard and not take this race for granted, giving it all he had, and setting an example in the process. Salas did just that. As he came around the lake the first time spectators were surprised at the lead he had built so early on in the race, but that is how he wanted it. The senior pulled away from the pack and never looked back crossing the line in 16:32.49. Connor Ferrentino of Freedom who won the Ted Benz Jamboree was second in 17:13.29. The rest of Trinity Prep also had great showings on their home course going first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth and just missing out on perfect score.

Watch Race Video Highlights by Dean Headley...

Elite Performances: Daniel Salas (Trinity Prep) 16:32.49; Connor Ferrentino (Freedom HS (Orlando)) 17:13.29; Sam Millson (Trinity Prep) 17:44.27

Video Interviews

Interview: Kelly Fahey - Trinity Prep Invitational Runner-Up	Interview: Bridget Blake - Trinity Prep Invitational Champion	Highlights: Girls Varsity Race - 2012 Trinity Prep Invitational	Interview: Trinity Prep Coach Ken Vinal
Interview: Chas Cook/Jesse Millson - Trinity Prep	Interview: Connor Ferrentino - Trinity Prep Invitational Runner-	Interview: Daniel Salas - Trinity Prep Invitational Champion