By Kyle LoJacono
Wiregrass Ranch dominated the track and field scene a year ago.
In 2011 the girls captured their third straight Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) and district championship, while the boys won both for the first time.
The tradition of excellence has been set by the six-year programs, but to stay on top the Bulls will need a new group to step in.
The girls lost five athletes from last year, while the boys are missing 13 athletes to graduation or transfers. Those 13 scored 112 points at conference.
“This year is totally different, but they’re young, excited and have great work ethic,” said second-year boys coach Phil Kerr. “I love coaching them here because they come out every day ready to work hard.”
Kerr said they have gotten fresh talent because of the banner year in 2011.
“The rise in our credibility in the area helped us get those kids,” Kerr said.
Kerr said the distance events remain strong thanks to the Bulls cross country program winning conference, district and regional championships while finishing sixth at the Class 3A state meet.
Senior Sam Hippely, the reigning All-Laker/All-Lutz News boys cross country Runner of the Year, is an anchor of the distance program. He runs the 3,200-meter, or 2-mile, finishing as district runner-up last year in 10:05.42.
“I feel like we’re about where we were last year as a team,” Hippely said. “I think we can get another district title and conference.”
Hippely, a University of West Florida signee, is coming off a knee injury that kept him from running for almost two months. His goal is to make states for the first time.
The sprinters benefit from the return of Jamel Nunez. The senior, who runs the 100, 200 and 4×100, captured the 200 district title last year by finishing in 22.98 seconds.
Third-year girls coach Don Howard has also used the program’s clout to attract new talent.
“It does put pressure on the team,” Howard said. “They have a tradition to uphold even when we lose kids, but there’re kids who want to step in to those spots. It’s a great place to coach at because you’ve got kids who have built-in motivation.”
Howard said his distance runners are also strong especially with junior Nikita Shah recovered from a bout of anemia that struck last year.
Shah, the two-time reigning All-Laker/All-Lutz News girls cross country Runner of the Year, ran a blazing 10:42 in the 3,200 at the FSU Relays on March 24, the fastest of any girl in Pasco County history.
A repeat of her time at FSU would put her in the mix for a state title. Last year’s 3A champion, Tallahassee Chiles’ Lilly Williams, finished in 11:00.56. Shah has also recorded a 5:11 in the 1,600.
“I’m feeling a lot better than I did at this time last year when I had the anemia,” Shah said. “I’m feeling faster than I’ve ever felt.”
Wiregrass Ranch has three top-ranked fielders, including Alisha Henry. The junior is rated No. 1 in 3A in the pole vault. Her best performance is clearing 11 feet-3 inches.
“We also have the No. 7 shot putter in Patricia Magwood and the No. 9 or 10 triple jumper in Hannah Eder. Then we have Nikita who’s ranked in the top-10 in both the 1,600 and 3,200.”
Shah is confident the team will perform at its peak thanks to Howard’s coaching
“Coach Howard is a really good coach,” Shah said. “He knows how to train us in a way that will make us better.”
Howard said Belleview will be tough to beat at districts, as will Steinbrenner for those who make regionals.
“We have six events that we should win, but that’s only 60 points,” Howard said. “What we have to do is have those kids who should be finishing second and fifth and eighth perform at that level. The kids underneath have to perform if we’re going to get the 115/120 points we’re going to need to win districts. Of course those No. 1 kids have to do what they’re capable of.”
Kerr is relishing the opportunity to surprise people.
“It’s kind of fun to be the underdogs this year because we’re definitely not the favorites like we were last year,” Kerr said. “We still have a chance and we’re coming on strong.”
The Bulls will compete at the Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) meet at Anclote on March 29. The Class 3A-District 6 meet, which includes Land O’ Lakes and Sunlake, is at Central on Friday, April 20 at noon.
