Cross Country Q&A - Quincy O'Connor Todd Grasley Sep 02, 2011

Celebration's Quincy O'Connor is one of the top runners in Osceola County.  Last year he moved to the Sunshine State from New York and finished 14th at the 3A Cross Country Championships. See what O'Connor has in store for his senior season, what he likes to do when he isn't running, and much more in this Cross Country Q&A.

Del Monte's Toughest Competition: Himself Todd Grasley Aug 29, 2011

The top four finishers from the 2011 4A Cross Country Championships graduated. Chamberlain's Max del Monte finished fifth, but if you ask the senior who his biggest competition for a state title is, there is none.  He's not being arrogant either. He is simply focused on being the best that he can.

Thomas Howell: Pride of the Panhandle Todd Grasley Aug 23, 2011

Thomas Howell  remembers the first time he ran. It was the mile run in elementary school and it was for a grade. He knew he was quick and as a fifth grader posted the fastest time in the school. Needless to say I'm sure he received a good grade. In middle school his future as a distance runner became apparent when he began winning races his 7th grade cross country season. The Niceville sophomore says from there it was just a gradual climb.

Keeping Up With The Anguishes Todd Grasley Aug 17, 2011

Two hundred dollars. That's what it took to get Winter Park senior Billy Anguish to complete a whole season of cross country. Bribery? Perhaps. For a fourteen-year-old kid sometimes that's all it takes. 

Schnulle Sets Tone As Charlotte Rebuilds Todd Grasley Aug 16, 2011

The Charlotte boys are used to being at the top of the 3A cross country rankings. For the past two seasons the Tarpons have finished in the top three, but 2011 is another animal. Ryan Schnulle and Domonic Cardenas are the only names left on a roster that lost five seniors to graduation. It's an experience Schnulle says will be eye opening.

Cross Country Q&A - Elliot Clemente Todd Grasley Aug 15, 2011

Belen Jesuit senior year Elliot Clemente is one of the top cross country runners in the state regardless of class. Last year, Clemente finished as the 3A runner-up in 15:25.07 and two weeks later set a new personal best of 15:03 to place fifth at the Foot Locker South regional and advice to nationals in San Diego where he finished 25th in the field of forty. Find out the senior and the rest of his teammates bond each summer, his goals for the team and himself, and what meets he is looking forward to the most in this Cross Country Q&A. (Photo by Don Rich)

Grenadiers Fight For Schools First State Championship Todd Grasley Aug 15, 2011

When Colonial High School opened in 1958 President Eisenhower was in office, gas cost a quarter, and NASA was just being formed. Fast forward fifty-three years and history is once again at the forefront. The school is looking for their first state title in any sport and this year's cross country squad could be the one to do it. Coach Rene Plasencia, who is in his tenth season as head coach, says it's the team camaraderie that always makes the Grenadiers a force to be reckoned with.

Holy Trinity in Pole Position Based on 3200 Jason Byrne Aug 13, 2011

We took the top times from the boys 3200 and 1600 in track this spring, removed the seniors, and scored it as a cross country meet. The results show Holy Trinity posed to rival favorite Belen Jesuit, with Colonial, Estero, and Plant looking mighty strong also.

Belen Jesuit Leads Colonial, Estero as Top Returning Team Jason Byrne Aug 04, 2011

Belen Jesuit pack a punch this season! Four of their top five return with plenty of firepower to fill in the gap and then some. Elliot Clemente will lead the way (likely for the entire state) with his 15:03 season best from last year, pacing Belen to a 15:58 team average. Colonial and Estero ring in at a somewhat distant but certainly not insurmountable #2 and #3 position in our computer rankings.