By Kyle LoJacono
The Wesley Chapel girls track and field team is looking to fill a big void.
The Wildcats lost Ravin Gilbert, who signed with Georgia State University, to graduation following a year when she won district titles in the 100, 200 and 400 meters and reached states in all three events.
Second-year Wesley Chapel coach Brad Allen knew no one athlete could replace the 30 points Gilbert usually scored at every meet, so instead he’s going with a different approach.
“I made a big emphasis this year that people might get changed around in events depending on who they’re going against at meets,” Allen said. “Let’s say Alyssa (Turner), who’s a great one-miler (1,600), but if we go against teams where five girls can beat her, it’s probably better to put her in an event where she can score or get more points. I don’t want to be putting people in events they can’t keep up in. We want to try things and put them in the events they can do the best in and where they can help the team.”
Turner has been doing the 1,600, 800 and 4×800 relay since joining the squad as a sophomore. She started running distance in eighth grade while living in Japan, but has moved her emphasis to shorter distance for her senior season.
“I’m going to be doing the 400 and see how that works,” Turner said. “I wanted to try something new.”
Allen said he started looking at Turner’s times in the 400 and predicts that she can make states in that event with a season of training. It would be her first trip to the finals.
“I really want to go to states,” Turner said. “I’m working really hard to get there. I’ve been training all summer.”
The Wildcats will likely continue scoring well in the pole vault with the return of senior Abby Hudak, who picked up the event after a former coach mentioned it during her freshman year.
“I just said, ‘I don’t know what that is, but OK,’” Hudak said. “Ever since then I just really got into it. I’ve always been in gymnastics, so I like doing scary things. Once I got over the mental hurdle of how hard it is, I’ve been working to get better.”
Hudak’s personal record is clearing 10 feet and has set the goal of reaching at least 11 by the end of the year. Not only would that give her the opportunity to walk on in college, but it would also give her a good chance of making states for the first time.
“I’m currently ranked fifth in the state in (Class) 2A, but every year at regionals something horrible always happens,” Hudak said. “Wrong pole, wrong this, wrong that, but this year is going to be the year I think.”
Hudak, who also trains three times a week with Florida Pole Vault Academy, said she is a little behind where she would like to be after missing four months with a broken left foot suffered while skateboarding. She said she plans on working “super hard” to make up for the lost time.
Hudak and Turner both said everyone seems to be working even harder this year because the defending 2A state high jump champion is at every practice.
Senior Courtney Prengaman won the program’s first state title by clearing 5-feet, 6-inches last season.
“I’m really excited for her this year,” Turner said. “I hope she goes to states and wins again, and that pushes us all to work harder.”
Prengaman also set the school record by clearing 5-7 at the Class 2A-District 9 tournament last year, and gave credit for her ascension to Allen’s coaching.
“He doesn’t let any of us slack,” Prengaman said. “He pushes us to get better and not just settle for what we can do now. He’s really motivating and will find whatever he can online or wherever to learn more about our events to make us better.”
Allen has also worked to build more of a cohesive feeling to the squad.
“One of the complaints last year was that they didn’t feel like they were a team, so we’ve really been emphasizing that this year,” Allen said. “Now I don’t have to say anything and everyone is out there stretching together before practice. We’re being very strict this year about being here on time, stretching together and supporting each other doing other events.”
The methods appear to have brought new energy to the program.
“I’m really excited,” Turner said. “I think some really good things are going to happen this year for Wesley Chapel.”
The Wildcats start the season in the Chasco Invitational at Gulf Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. The 2A-9 meet is at Berkley Prep April 12, followed by regionals at Titusville Astronaut April 18 and states at the University of North Florida April 27.
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
