BOYS WINNER: Andres Arroyo - Senior @ Colonial
Andres Arroyo wasn't his normal self two weeks ago at Great American. The Colonial senior placed 23rd against some of the top runners in the country which by most standards would be a great day. Not for Arroyo. He got sick the Saturday before the race and wasn't fully 100 percent the rest of the week. Coach Rene Plasencia says despite the illness Arroyo continues to prove that he is a fighter.
"Andres got sick the Saturday before Great America. He missed Monday’s practice and was only able to run easy on Tuesday and Wednesday. He had a decent workout that Thursday, but wasn’t sharp. As talented as he is he’s capable of winning most races against most competition, but against some of the fastest runners in the nation he would have to be 100% to have a chance. At 100% I believe he would have run with the top guys through the finish."
Arroyo had a chance to run against great competition this past weekend as the best runners in Florida and several from Georgia came down to Appalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee for the FSU Invitational/Pre-State. The Grenadiers star, and defending 4A cross country champion, came out of the gate guns blazing. Arroyo came through the mile mark around 4:36 with about a five second lead on the field and then came by the two mile mark at 9:42 with a ten second lead. Coach Plasencia says going out fast was the game plan.
"We see no reason of letting anyone hang around early and possibly give them hope. Although he went out a little too fast, more so in the first 400 around 62 seconds., he did what he wanted to do. We figure that if someone wants to challenge him we’re going to make them work for it."
He ran away with the win in a new course record of 15:19.8 set by former Leon star Matt Mizereck (currently at the University of Florida). Plasencia was happy with the outcome of the race, but knows that a bigger race is on the horizon. One that will be at this same course in November, states. Arroyo will be a clear favorite to repeat as 4A champion, but Plasencia reminds the standout not to be complacent because anything can happen on any given day.
"I’ve been around this sport long enough to know that there are talented kids all over this state who are working hard and are hungry to win. We have respect for the many coaches and athletes here in Florida. Knowing that we make sure we do our part by practicing hard and smart, getting the proper rest and preparing mentally for the post season."
Not only is Arroyo looking for another ring, but he is looking to bring the second championship ever to any Colonial team. Last year, the Grenadiers won the first title for any team in the school's 50 year history. Once the regular season is over the senior is hoping to continue onto the postseason. He placed 186th at the Foot Locker South Regional in a race that saw him get boxed in and be the victim of some pushing and shoving. Plasencia believes Arroyo has the talent to qualify for Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego. That level of talent has coaches across the country coveting his services. Coach Plasencia says whatever coach lands the senior will be getting a great person and a great runner.
"He’s been a great kid to work with. Andres’s parents are very involved and supportive. They have raised a fine young man who has respect for his elders and a very strong work ethic. He’s a great teammate as well. He cares about his family, his team, his school and his performance. Athletically they’ll be getting a very gifted runner with unbelievable range. I would be very excited if I were the college coach who lands him."
GIRLS WINNER: Kacy Smith - Senior @ Estero
The Estero cross country team doesn't train in traditional ways. Lifting tires, lots of plyometrics, and throw in some hill workouts, which aren't incredibly common in southwest Florida, and you have a strict regimen which separate the contenders from the pretenders. Senior Kacy Smith was coming off an eighth place finish at the Cross Country Finals in 2011, a year after winning the 2A state title in 2010. Smith suffered a hip flexor injury during the summer and was unable to work in the intensity that Coach Jeff Sommer had hoped for.
Fast forwrd to her senior season and the Estero star is back to form. She has placed in the top five in all six races she has run in and recently ran a near season time of 18:06 at the FSU Invitational/Pre-State. Nearly 2000 meters in, their was a huge pack with Smith near the front. At the 2k mark, Smith had taken the lead and was ahead of runner-up Emily Edwards by three seconds. Coach Sommer says he wanted Smith to stay with the leaders through 2.5 miles and then attack the hill, but she got a little excited early.
"She always goes to the front, btu we are trying to teach her to be patient. She gutted it out. She was in second place in the final stretch. We started yelling at her and she shifted into another gear. She refused to get beat at the end."
Smith finished strong and beat last week's Warrior of the Week Emily Edwards by six seconds to cross the line in 18:06. The senior really wanted to break 18 minutes and Coach Sommer says the two had talked about running low 18's prior to the race or breaking it. Sommer says he is just happy how she ran against the competition which included not just the top runners in Florida, as well as some from Georgia, but some of the best in 3A.
"She wasn't worried about the clock. I'd rather run her race and win then get 17:58 and beating the clock. She would have liked to get under 18 minutes, but I only had one person on the team PR on that course so it is probably a lot tougher than people might think."
This week Sommer and Smith plan to get back to work. Now that she has seen the state meet course, Coach Sommer says she is about 75 to 80 percent and wants to focus on improving her hip flexor and pick up the speed work and hill work over the next week. It's all in preparation for November 17th, the Cross Country Finals. The goal is for Smith to run in the 17:40 to 17:50 range, win another individual state title, and guide the team to their third state championshipin four years.
Recently, Smith announced that she will spend the next four years running for Ole Miss. Coach Sommer says the Rebels are getting an athlete who will do whatever she is asked.
"If you tell her to hit a wall she will hit it ten times harder than you tell her to. She is tough to hold back because she is such an over achiever and a kid who works hard. She's meant a lot to our program. She'll love Ole Miss and she'll love the coaching staff. I'm not the nicest guy in practice and she's loved me to death. You can't get a better person when it comes to work ethic and loyalty then Kacy Smith."