Liberty boys are favored at meet

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Liberty boys are favored at meet

Sports

Thursday, 07 April 2011 07:39

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Liberty High’s boys and Harmony’s girls will defend their Orange Belt Conference track championships today at St. Cloud High, beginning at 11 a.m. with the field events.
The running preliminaries begin at 2 p.m. The finals will follow 30 minutes after the preliminaries, at about 5 p.m.
The host Bulldogs, with the county’s strongest contingent of distance runners, both boys and girls, are contenders for both championships. The Bulldogs haven’t won since 2003; the Lady Bulldogs last won in 2006.
Liberty’s boys, loaded with depth and talent, are the favorites. Liberty Coach Robert Pauley is counting on a strong performance from his underclassmen.
“The men will have to stay consistent like we have done throughout this season. But, just because we are the favorite doesn’t mean anything until you do it,” he said.
St. Cloud Coach Kevin Harkema said Liberty and Celebration may be the class of the boys meet.
“We have a shot, but a lot would have to go right for us. Celebration has two superstars for our county, and Liberty looked really strong in the field events,” he said.
Celebration brings several athletes capable of winning Class 3A state championships in hurdler and middle distance runner Tyler Osorio, distance runner Quincy O’Connor and female pole vaulter Jessica Harter.
Along with O’Connor and the St. Cloud runners, Liberty’s Robbie Johnroe and Harmony’s Matt Henning will contest for titles in the distance races.
Osceola High senior Defario Phillips is one of the state’s best at 100 meters and 200 meters. He won both events at the OBC meet last season.
“I think it’s pretty open this year,” Osceola boys coach Mike Clemens said. “As far as sprints go, we will do OK in that area. I thank that whoever has the depth to clean up in the fourth through eighth places will win the (boys) meet.”
The girls meet has several potential state champions, led by Osceola’s standout senior sprinter Tynia Gaither, who owns four state titles. She is favored at 100 and 200 meters.
Gaither set a personal record of 11.54 in the 100 at the recent Steinbrenner Invitational and was second last weekend at the Florida Relays in 11.55 seconds. Her times rank second in the nation.
Osceola’s 4 x 100 relay of Gaither, Atarah Clark, Jameshia Gant and Jodiann Crooks clocked a school record 46.59 at the Florida Relays last weekend, finishing third with the third-best time in the nation.
Despite Osceola’s speed, Coach Eric Pinellas said his team will be fortunate to win today.
“I have no distance or throws, really. I would be surprised if we won,” he said.
St. Cloud girls coach Ettie Singleton said depth could drive her team to the title.
Cierra Adams is one of the county’s best shot putters, and the team has speed in Jennifer Fullwood, Ishanay Pacheco and Jaquita Manning.
Janice Velez pole vaults, and Kirsten Chambers, Diana Gatlin and Yazmelis Santos are strong in the hurdles and jumps, Singleton said.
The distance squad of Katelyn Stadtlander, Ashlyn Stadtlander, Kristen Detroyer and Anaya Reid is one of the strongest in the state.
“I think we have a good shot if the girls bring their ‘A’ game at the same time,” Singleton said.
Harmony Coach Jerrad Butler said his team is a contender, as well. Like St. Cloud, it is deep in the distance and field events.
“I think we can sneak in and do a lot better than most would give our team credit for,” he said.
“Our girls have worked hard and we should be healthy going into OBCs. We will have our best on the track. If we come up short, so be it.”
Poinciana has one of the county’s best 4 x 400 relay teams with Madjah Barnett, Estelle Esperence, Gabriella Rodriguez and Kenina Bonner. Esperence and Rodriguez also compete at 800 meters. Bonner will lead the sprinters, Coach Bryan McLoughlin said.
Liberty boasts one of the county’s most talented jumpers in freshman Marion Brown.