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5 Things I Learned this Weekend - Florida FivePublished by
DoctorBob- DistancePreps.com 5 Things I Learned This Weekend:
1. "The Future Runs Now" is a statement about seeing the progression that happens when Prep runners tackle their craft with zeal and passion. A lot of times, more often than not, it takes a guiding figure, a mentor, a real leader to inspire, energize and mold the next generation of great runners who will someday become the future role models for our youth and set the aspirations of the next generation.
My boys, Kyle and Adam, were lucky enough to have a great coach and mentor in Holy Trinity's Doug Butler when they started running in the 7th grade. They instantly became hooked on the dedication, desire, and comraderie of being a Holy Trinity Tiger distance runner. Runners who are lucky enough to have great coaches learn so much more than just being a runner. Good coaches exude a certain confidence to their charges that the world can be their oyster if they are willing to sacrifice and work hard towards their goals and objectives.
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting members of the West Shore Boys team this past Saturday who exude that same confidence I've seen so many times in our youth over the years and it all points back to having that guiding figure that inspires.
Please check out my post-race video interviews with 7th grader Ben Snodgrass and Freshman Austin Camps who are guided and mentored by their Coach, Greg Hayes at West Shore Jr/Sr High School.
Ben Snodgrass - 7th Grade - West Shore
 Austin Camps - Freshman - West Shore
2. Speaking of progression, I'm fond of saying it's never a linear line all the way to the top. For the average runner, it's a series of hills and mounds, peaks and valleys and every once in a while, a real break-out performance comes around which reminds us that hard work pays off. So, I wasn't all that surprised to see the likes of Olympia's Emily Headley, Miami-Jackson's Daesha Rogers, Gulf's Kari Grippo, Astonaut's Drew Denson, and Niceville's Thomas Howell light-up the District results charts as they roared back into the upper echelon of the State's elite.
Our "Cream Rises to the Top" feature shows the progression runners have been making throughout the season. As the Dyestat TFX database fills out in the coming months and years, that progression will become even more evident so please check your profile by entering your name in the search bar and see how your progression is coming along. Astronaut's Drew Denson discusses his bounce-back 3rd place finish at 2A District 13
Read more: DistancePreps.com - The Future Runs Now - Videos http://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=31488#ixzz2jJwNcSGu
3. There is nothing like history and a good local rivalry to make things oh so interesting out on the course. A prime example is schools on the Space Coast that have been battling each other weekly for the better part of at least 30 years. Rockledge High School, nicknamed the "Rock", back in the day was one of the most dominant teams in the State and routinely battled with the likes of Largo, Leto, Titusville, and Astronaut over that period. Those strong rivalries, especially those in the same county, have had a strong impact on the heritage of Cross Country on the Space Coast that is on a 10 year upswing and continues to trickle down for the next generation of harriers.  Titusville Boys celebrate their 2A District 13 team victory - photo by Nancy Bray
The past 2 weekends have been great. First there was the results saga at the Cape Coast Conference with Titusville being deemed Champions by 1 point over Rockledge, only a few days later to have it overturned with Rockledge being crowned victors on a tie-breaker after the video review.
Next up was the rematch, the Battle Royale #2, that saw Titusville get some redemption at the 2A District meet. Now, we have the 2A Regional meet being contested today where Titusville and Rockledge go at it again for Regional supremacy. Yeah, local rivalries are indeed good for the sport.
4. Coach Stevenson's Sarasota Girls rocked their District last week scoring 18 points with freshman sensation Sage Lyons finishing up as District champion. The Sailors placed 6 in the top 10 and all 7 in the top 30 for District honors. Next up is the ultra-competitive 3A Region 3 meet this weekend at Sydney Dover Trails in Tampa. Coach Stevenson provided his personal preview of the meet here. Good luck to all the runners at Regionals over the next few days.
 Rockledge Fan - Grandma Jane (Jane Rowe)
5. Distance running is a great community. Not only do I get to meet a lot of runners as they carry on their business out on the course but I get to meet an ecstatic fanbase, parents, and grandparents out on the course. That to me makes it so worth it. One of my favorite people out on the course the last few weeks has been "Grandma Jane", Jane Row. Grandma Jane is a huge Rockledge High supporter and is well known for her bull-horn calls of - "Go Rockledge - Go". Fans like Grandma Jane just make the sport better.
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