Interview with Ryan Stafford Bob Cooke Sep 17, 2010

Things are looking good for Ft. Myers senior Ryan Stafford.  After a good season last year, a spring of PRs, and a summer of hard work... his early and preseason performances so far in 2010 have been stellar.  Robert "Doctor Bob" Cooke interviewed 3A title contender and here's what he had to say!

Interview with Phil Duncan, After Recent 25 Second 3200 PR Bob Cooke Apr 02, 2010

The Boys 3200 race at Mike Long Track has been described as the deepest field ever in the history of Florida Track and Field. The pre-race build-up and eventual race didn't disappoint as the strategy, tactics and emotions played out in wonderful fashion in oh so many ways, it's easy to gloss over the huge achievements of those middle packers with huge PR's. Boone HS Junior Phil Duncan is a prime example. Anytime a runner drops a 25 second PR over a mere 8 laps, it's time to check in and see what transpired.

Coogan's Corner: Juggernauts book review Bob Cooke Jan 19, 2010

In the ol’ movies there was a collection of riff-raff called the East Side Kids.  The movie plots were about bullies, the powerful gangsters and cops being outwitted and downsized by these street wise, mother loving kids.  Well, here’s the country version - the Juggernauts! They didn’t need much inspiration to train, and they trained laughing, and when their idol Steve Prefontaine died, they trained crying but they trained.  They ran for the love of it, they ran for the fun of it and they won because they were brave enough not to let each other down.

One on One with Doctor Bob: Melbourne's Brian Atkinson Bob Cooke Jan 12, 2009

Melbourne's Brian Atkinson had a stellar Junior Cross Country Season winning back to back 4A State titles and posting a PR 15:11 while winning the Nike Southeast Regional in the post-season. His fellow "Project Bulldogs" had a great season as well, finishing 2nd at State and was Florida's top boys team finishing 8th at the Nike Southeast Regional.

Smaller is Better, Schilit Commits to Haverford Bob Cooke Jan 07, 2009

Sometimes smaller is better; truly better if you're a "Ford" under the tutelage of one of the greatest Track and Field distance coaches the United States has ever known.

Tampa Jesuit harrier Jordan Schilit is one of those fortunate hard-working but not immensely talented distance runners who will shortly train under the watchful eye of a Coach with 62 regional and conference championships during a tenured career that started 34 years ago and shows no sign of abating. His future Coach's resume reflects credit for 113 All-American athletes of whom 24 ultimately became NCAA champions. This Coach knows how to "mold teams of decent but not exceptional high school athletes into elite college runners."

One on One with Doctor Bob: Ricky Quintana Bob Cooke Nov 01, 2008

Ricky Quintana has been covering distance running in the State and across the nation for a long time now. Most folks know that he's been the announcer at the State Cross Country Meet for the past few years at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City, but Ricky's coverage has been vast and varied. He's written articles, interviewed numerous runners, polled our cross country teams in the fall and organized several of the most respected distance events in Gainesville over the years.

The Three D's Bob Cooke Sep 19, 2008

During his last 21 years at Estero High School, Coach Sommer's runners at Estero High have lived by 3 simple principles: DISCIPLINE, DESIRE, DEDICATION. The 3 D's, as they're known.

The Wildcats live by those principles day in and day out because by the time most of us are probably entering our first REM cycle, Coach Sommer's runners have once again tested the meaning of his 3 D's. You see, Coach Somer is a morning Coach and his practices start at 5 am. Subtract out any of the 3 D's and you won't be long for his program. Non-morning types, need not apply.

Interview with Alex Schanen, Ran a 15:15 5K Indoors in NYC Bob Cooke Apr 02, 2008

"Doctor Bob" interviews Alex Schanen, a senior from Fletcher. Schanen has had an impressive year and in the last months has gone from above-average distance runner to one of Florida's very best. He ran an 8:58 3000 at Gainesville in February and then recently ran a blazing 15:15 5000m at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships in New York City.

One on One with Doctor Bob: Coach Doug Butler, Holy Trinity Bob Cooke Apr 16, 2007

Since taking over as the Head Cross Country Coach in 2000 and as the Track and Field Distance Coach in 2006 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, Florida, Coach Butler is in the midst of a great run that many truly consider a dynasty.  His Boys teams have won the last 3 State Cross Country Championships with a runner-up spot in 2003
and his Girls teams have won 4 State Championships and was runner-up in 2005.  To top it off the Girls Track and Field team are the defending 1A State Track and Field Champions.

Doctor Bob interviewed Coach Butler about his philosophies in training and developing young talent and coaching in general.

One on One with Doctor Bob: Joseph Franklin Bob Cooke Apr 07, 2007

\"\"Bob Cooke interviews Joseph Franklin of Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida.  Franklin was among the nation's leaders last year in the 800m and leads Florida thus far in 2007 in the 800m (1:53.11), 1600m (4:14.27), and has the second fastest 3200m time in the state (9:29.73).  Yesterday in Gainesville, the junior won the high school  1600m race at the prestigious Florida Relays.

Chris Trebilcock, Sante Fe High, Alachua 2A Bob Cooke Mar 31, 2007

What a difference 6 months can make in the life of a distance runner. A prime example is with Chris Trebilcock, a senior at Santa Fe High in Alachua. Chris is presently ranked 3rd in the Flrunners.com 1600m rankings (as of 29 March 07), but to most followers of distance in the State, Chris is a relatively new elite distance runner who has burst onto the running scene as of late due to a change in focus and training. Chris placed 9th in the 1600 at the 2006 FHSAA State Track and Field Meet with a time of 4:34:40.

Photos: Gator Invitational High School Mile Bob Cooke Jan 22, 2006

19 photos by Bob Cooke from the indoor mile race in Gainesville. Kelly Parrish took the girls race, while sophomore Joe Franklin won the boys. Everyone\'s heart was with Justin Harbor and family, who did not attend because of the untimely passing of his father on Friday. We\'re thinking of you, Justin.

2nd Annual Footlocker Nationals Prediction Contest Bob Cooke Dec 05, 2005

Test your distance knowledge by entering our prediction contest for the 27th annual Footlocker Nationals being held on Saturday, December 10th, at Balboa Park in San Diego, California. The Winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Running Zone and a 1 year subscription to flrunners.com. Sponsored by The Running Zone

Rocky Top Bound Bob Cooke Nov 09, 2005

How did Tennessee coach JJ Clark manage to land the two top rated Florida girls of the class of 2006? Well for one thing, at least in Parrish\'s case, he was the first to ask!

More flrunners.com Invitational Photos Bob Cooke Oct 09, 2005

I am still trying to catch up with everything and barely have time to get up meet results lately, so I didn\'t have time to edit or rotate these. But I figured I should get them up while it\'s still at all timely! Here are some more photos from Day 2 of last week\'s big meet.

Park Pride XC Club Finishes 20th at NTN Bob Cooke Dec 04, 2004

When it was all said and done, it was truly a great event. Sure, the sun never shined, it felt like the midst of winter, and it was foggy and damp most of the time, some thought the course was too hard, some in the minority thought the course was too easy, but along the way it was one heck of an experience for all involved.