This year’s Asics was about as well-run a cross country meet as you can have. Doubtless that was because the staff at ERAU—Rosolino, Hopfe, et.al.—have, between them, accumulated a wealth of knowledge about running in general, and cross country in particular, and know how to apply that expertise to what has been an annual trip for its loyal followers.
Its six races went off like clockwork, and finished before it became too hot to continue. They had exceptional support from the school, including first class first aid, rehydration tables, a legion of course monitors (most of whom had their own walkie talkies), and provided lots of parking. Entry was free for spectators—who were allowed virtually anywhere on the course—teams that ran there were treated like royalty, and the Asics-donated prizes—t-shirts and clothing bags-- were a step up from the norm.
I sense, however, that one thing remains unsettled in the minds of its organizers, and that is a course to match their precision-like planning. Don’t get me wrong, they certainly rolled out the wood chips, and made sure that everyone—spectators included—got to climb that steep hill enough times to brag about it for another year. (That hill, interestingly enough, is located in the spot that Google Earth labels as the “Daytona Highlands.”) However, for as many times as the meet has been in existence, the course has been altered, modified, re-routed, and finalized…at least a year, anyway.
That is not to say that the present course does not have its fans. Take, for example, Lauren Falcone of Rollins College.
“I think that it has a lot of variety, is interesting, and seemed to go by very fast,” Lauren told me after the race. “I think it helped that I ran a different strategy; to run with the front runners, rather than run for time, which I usually do.”
Gabriella “Gabby” Wuyke, ninth in 20:15.60, while running for Lynn College (Boca Raton, Florida), was less intimidated than impressed.
“Not the toughest in Florida,” she said, “but it had obstacles. Here, the uphills were hard, but the downhills were fun. It was what you should expect in cross country. I’m from Connecticut, and this is what you would see in New England.”
Jared Hanko, a Seton Hall (New Jersey) senior, offered a comparison to a typical cross country course in the Middle Atlantic States.
“Most of the courses (up there) are hilly. The mulch (pine bark) was a little unusual, but it was comfortable. Most of our races up north are on hard-packed dirt, or gravel, and most of them are either one loop, or two different loops. The start was really narrow, so we had to start out fast. Most of our courses have a lot more space.”
And space, of course is an issue, not only in Daytona, but throughout most of Florida. Both the 5K and 8K are the same course, just different numbers of loops. What would make it far more interesting is a longer, less repetitive route. But as it stands, there is no possible way of doing so.
That problem is not new. When land was cheap, people snapped it up, until little open space was left, and that is no truer than on the mainland side of Daytona. Here, three schools within sight of each other—Daytona State, Embry-Riddle, and Mainland High School—are landlocked by busy roads and the commercial development that lines them. Two of these schools have cross country, and the third—DSC--probably could have if there was a place to train. (That is, other than the Daytona International Speedway, and its acres and acres of parking lots.)
For those who have not been to Embry Riddle, it is a small campus that, from very high up, could easily be mistaken for a big baseball diamond. It is split on a diagonal, from lower left to upper right by a major highway, Clyde Morris Blvd. Abutting the “left field fence” is Mainland High School, and anchoring the two straight sides of the diamond are runways of Daytona International Airport. This is, of course, perfect for their academic intentions. (But, ironically, because of it, the only way to grow is “up.”)
Interestingly, in the grand scheme of things, what would then look like this mega-stadium’s “bleachers” is a convex curve of green, anchored on the left by their track--which would be where a bullpen might be located—and on that right side is an interesting cluster of green.
When dealing with a complex problem, I find that distancing myself from it (no pun intended) can help me narrow my objective to a single concept, and that is the first step on the road to a solution. If the powers to be at these three institutions--and ERAU in particular, since they are the Eagles-- were to look at the problem from above the answer just might be mapped out below.
This entire area is honeycombed with loosely connected—but connected nonetheless—splashes of green that seem as if they could be joined to make a welcome, if not spectacular, park…but we would know that it was actually being set aside as a long, circuitous running trail. (Much better than the scenery south of ERAU, along Clyde Morris, that could now be best summed up as an eyesore.)
This is the perfect time to approach the municipality of Daytona Beach with a request: Daytona and its schools have long needed a park with the focus being exercise. Why not now? Instead of throwing away vast amounts of money, on endless studies that revisit the theme of “how to attract visitors,” spend it on something that benefits those who live—and run--there.
The fact that money is tight is a positive thing. We will probably see very little development for a few years at least. So what better way for a landowner to lower his tax bill than to unload unused, and perhaps unwanted, real estate that is a drain on his financial resources? Sell—or donate--it to the municipality. This concept is not new. It is a tried and proven method of building a healthy lifestyle in most other parts of the country. The three schools that lie less within half a mile of each other, Embry Riddle among them, should take an interest in this for the most obvious of reasons.
The Open Race
At 7:20 in the morning—the starting time of the first race—it was really tough to show much enthusiasm, but maybe that’s why the alumni were there. There’s nothing like scantily-clad, male college grads to get you off to a quick start. (They were wearing—what looked like—superhero pajama bottoms in a size that might fit a third-grader…maybe they were on sale at K-Mart?) Included on the team were such legendary party animals as Alex Frazier (29:28.3), Nick Gehlsen (29:50.37), Stuart Patterson (29:58.83), Russell Snyder (30:00.15), Kody Oakes (32:15.27), and Andrew Maro (32:18.10), all of whom scored—for their team--despite the pre-dawn chill…or perhaps because of it. (John Brasch [34:01] and Henry Melius [35:33.15] were also there, if mostly in spirit.)
Among those listed on the roster of that fourth place team was fourth place finisher, and 2012 Olympian, Sammy Vazquez. Sammy, however, was wearing more conventional running attire.
“It’s an alumni tradition,” he said of his presence in the race. The word tradition might also have been a reference to his black shorts and red singlet. Sam is dapper, as well as fast.
“There was an opportunity to make the flights, and I took it. We”—his wife Flo, also a graduate of ERAU—“flew standby. It was a lot of fun seeing everybody.”
In this race, he stayed behind his former teammates, and just out of reach of current ones, finishing in 27:20.89.
“Today was just a workout. It’s been a month since I’ve been back from the Olympics. I haven’t done anything hard, or fast; just a base.”
In other words, he is saving himself for more important races to come.
“I’ve made the decision to train for the indoor season. My main focus is the Tyson Invitational”--(named for the chicken company, not the ex-boxer) and the Boston Indoor Games. I’m really concentrating on those two in order to get a sponsor.”
College Men
During his time at Embry Riddle, there was a full year when Evans Kirwa trained pretty much alone. Sammy was his training partner from 2009-11, but after Vazquez’s graduation in 2011, no one else on the team could, realistically, keep pace with Evans.
“When I lost Sam, I thought, ‘How am I going to go (on) without him?’” explained Kirwa. “He showed up once in awhile for track, but for cross country I didn’t know what was going to happen.”
And then, this August….
Evans: “Vincent (Bett) came along. That really helped my training.”
Vincent: “I came from Middle Tennessee. I came here because not many schools have my major, which is aircraft maintenance.
“I had a stress fracture. My coach there said ‘Maybe you’re not going to heal.’ Well, right now, I’m almost there. I am very happy about the move.”
Evans: “He helps me push. It’s hard for me to go out alone. I can’t do the maximum that I’m supposed to do without him.”
Vincent: “I want to win the Nationals in steeplechase, and cross country is very important to the steeple. It (his relationship with Evans) is good, because I can put all my effort into training, and he provides excellent motivation.”
Both athletes are from Eldoret, Kenya, and I asked them if they called home a lot.
Evans: “Not about the meets.”
Vincent: “Just to say hello to them.”
Evans: “I just tell them that I’m doing well, but not about the races.”
Vincent: “They don’t even know about the races.”
Reflecting on an obvious team spirit that overshadows even the championship-level success of Embry Riddle, I asked both athletes about how they fit in.
Evans: “Back home, we used to train alone.”
Vincent: “My teammates trained independently.”
Evans: “Just wake up, go for a run, and go home.”
Vincent: “No one cared about it.”
Evans: (In Eldoret) “I was never a runner.” (He played soccer.) “I didn’t even know if I was going to college here, or at all. After I started to run,”—which he did after high school—“it took a different direction.”
Vincent: “I just started running last year.”
Evans: “When he came here (to America).”
This scenario was clarified by Coach Peter Hopfe. Essentially, Vincent was recruited right out of Kenya. But as his potential was based more on probability than a proven track record, the intense track workouts might have caused him to break down—literally, in this case--rather quickly. A young runner—he is just now 19—Vincent ran too much, too soon, and succumbed to training schedules that most other college recruits would have had years to grow into.
Hopfe: “We call him ‘Great White,’ like the shark. But we constantly ask him, ‘How was it? How do you feel?’ I kind of flinched when he said, ‘I want to run the steeplechase.’ I think that might have been at least part of the problem.”
(Remembering that time not long ago when he, himself was undone by a vicious soccer ball, Peter also winced when his best runner began entertaining his many adoring fans on the pitch.)
In essence Vincent, as talented as he was, simply did not have enough time to grow into such a grueling event.
But “betting” on an ERAU education has definitely paid off for Vincent, in more ways than one. With an ideal training partner, the teenage runner can also profit from the 23 year old Kirwa’s experience, and probably be able to follow in his footsteps, as Evans did those of Sam Vazquez. At the present time, they are separated by about a minute in the 8K. In this race, which Evans Kirwa won—in a course and meet record--in 25:25.02, Vincent Bett was second in 26:30.
Team Results
Embry Riddle placed four in the top six—Seton Hall’s Jared Hanko spoiled their shutout—and won with 21 points (1-2-3-6-9-14-15). Seton Hall (5-11-16-17-19-26-34; 68) was next, followed by Flagler College (12-13-18-21-29-32-35; 93). There were 113 runners and 13 teams.
College Women
Like the aforementioned Kirwa and Bett, the 2012 Eagle women’s team has a one-two punch in Ellie Straker (first in 18:43.12) and Karina Coelho (fourth in 19:26.62). Straker, a senior, led pretty much the entire race.
“I didn’t expect to be in the lead that early. There were a couple of girls that I expected to be with me longer, like Kadian,” Straker said after the race, referring to Bethune Cookman’s Kadian Dunkley, third in 19:15.23, and probably also Rollins College’s Lauren Falcone, who finished second in 18:58.48.
“I ran the way I had visualized it, ran the splits I needed. But I expected to have a lead pack with me. It think it made me run better because I thought they might catch me, so I tried to stay focused on being in front.
“I felt confident that I could stay in front, and strong throughout the race. That is because I have a lot of faith in my training—it has done a lot for my development as a runner--and in our coaches, Mike Rosolino and Paul Hopfe.”
Team Results
Although not as dominant as their Men’s team, the Embry Riddle women successfully met the challenge of two out-of-state entries. Their 47 points (1-4-11-15-16-17-25) were good enough to hold off both Xavier-Louisiana (6-7-10-13-14-27-41-59; 70) and Seton Hall (5-8-12-31-32-34-36; 88). 107 women and 12 teams scored.
Varsity Boys
To once again borrow from America’s favorite pastime, it was déjà vu all over again, or so it seemed. A week ago, I reported a “long yellow ribbon” at UF, and so it was again at Embry Riddle. This time—and I think their respective ADs shop on the same website—the yellow was worn by Trinity Prep.
Holding the leading edge of that six-man ribbon was Dan Silas of Trinity Prep. He is one of those runners who, as evidenced by early and immediate successes, could be destined for greatness.
“I started running in middle school. I didn’t take it seriously until 8th grade. I knew I was semi-athletic because I had been playing soccer all my life. When I broke 19 in a 5K race—I think it was the Park Ave. 5K, but I’m not sure—I then realized I had potential and decided to go out for varsity. That was going into 8th grade.
“I ran a 17:21 in 8th grade,”—the 1A FHSAA Meet on November 22, 2008—“which was a huge drop from 18:50, and I also broke five minutes in 8th grade track”--a 4:55.42 SB at the 1A Region 2 meet on April 24, 2009. “I decided to go out for the Middle School Championships. I won,”—4:27.05 1500 PR in the May 16, 2009 MS Meet—“and that gave me a big confidence boost. I knew then that if I worked really hard, I would do well. That’s when I started going from 30-35 miles a week, to maybe 50.”
While highly successful in what is generally seen as an individual sport, Salas has a team side to his ambitions.
“There’s always been good team chemistry. We’re probably the closest team in our school. A teacher once suggested that we’re more like a cult. We always push each other in competition, but we also know when to get together for fun.”
This race was not a run of the mill 5K.
“It was tough going. It was a little hilly, with some sharp turns, and places where the ground was uneven, but I wanted to get a good lead and hold it. We also wanted to get six in the top ten, and it was close.”
But the season is still young.
“My goal is to win the State Championship. I want to win every single race that I run. And we want to win the team championship as well.”
Asics adds one more notch to Silas’s sneakers: So far he’s three for three: a 16:32.49 win and a team championship at the Trinity Prep Invitational on September 8th; a 16:42.60 win and a second place finish (to Holy Trinity) at the Jim Ryan Invitational on September 14th; and his 16:48.16 victory and a team championship here.
Team Results
It was, but then again it wasn’t, a two-team race. Trinity Prep won with 24 points (1-2-3-4-5-6-16), and Olympia reversed that with 42 (7-8-9-10-11-19-29). Bishop Moore was third with 110 (15-20-21-22-32-38-39). 84 runners finished and 14 teams scored.
Varsity Girls
If I had interviewed Olympia’s Emily Headley a week earlier, I would have imparted these words of wisdom to her: “Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear.” (I have no comment on the written word, especially those originating from yours truly.)
“My coach was telling us it”—this course—“was fast,” said the Girls Varsity winner, “because we need to get a good time for The Great American in North Carolina next week. But this was really, really hilly. My time wasn’t fast at all. It wasn’t what I wanted.
“Have you heard about Jim Ryan?”--the race, not the athlete—“It was terrible. It was so bad. It was as hilly as this, but all sugar sand. I came in fifth (20:14.10). But this (Embry-Riddle) was an improvement.”
The 15 year old sophomore continued.
“This year hasn’t been my best year, and I’ve only been running since last year, so I’m excited about running a fast time. I haven’t run FLR, and it’s annoying. I’d like to see how I’d do there. I like the competitive races.
“My goal is to break into the 17s…that’s my main goal. And to help my team as a whole, but especially Kaitlyn Campo (third in 20:35.95) break into the 19s. We also want to place well in the States this year; the top three.”
With an 18:10 PR at last year’s, season-ending Footlocker, she has certainly shown what she is capable of. Add to that a third at the Trinity Prep Invitational on September 8th, the aforementioned Jim Ryan finish, and this disappointing time—but the best one by far—it’s only a matter of time before Emily’s enthusiasm finds a gem in all that sand.
Team Results
Olympia, led by Headley, won with a fraction of anyone else’s total points (1-3-4-7-9-13-21; 24). Bishop Moore was second (16-18-23-24-29-30-44; 110), and nearby Seabreeze third (6-10-12-45-49-51-57; 122). 110 girls’ and 12 teams’ performances reached the printer.
JV Boys
With a solid win, both by Salas and the varsity boys, which might have raised the bar for the following JV Boys race, Grant Gordon and Michael Leiferman confidently took an early lead that was never challenged.
“I think I could have run faster,” explained Gordon,” but I held back—behind my teammate Michael Leiferman (second in 19:16.72)—and I passed him right where we came out of the woods. I had plenty left. Right about the scoreboard (about 400 left), I heard someone yelling and put it into another gear.”
That gear resulted in his first cross country win, in 19:13.03, which is also a PR.
“I was actually supposed to run varsity because someone was hurt, but I didn’t know about it until I got here, and it was too late to switch it out. But he ran really well, so it worked out for both of us. I think if he was in the JV race, he would have won it, and if I was in the varsity race, I would have gotten a better time.”
This was, in fact, only Grant’s third cross country race.
“This is my first healthy season of cross country. Our first race was at our home course, and it was super wet and muddy. I had a bad race; 20:08, I think. Last week I went to Jim Ryan. It was tough, but better. I liked the race, and came in about 19:50. Today I ran 19:13.
“I started cross country in my sophomore year. I trained harder over the summer, and kind of over trained, then found out at the beginning of the year that I was anemic. I continued training, but only three or four miles a day, nothing serious. But by the end of the season I was able to get serious, with more mileage, to get ready for the track season.”
Gordon, a senior, has his sights set on a career in journalism. At the present time, he has quite a list of possibilities as far as colleges, and only a few months to make that decision. In the meantime, I know a certain website that could always use an enthusiastic intern who knows running.
Team Results
Trinity Prep won with 24 (1-2-5-6-10-1-19), and just like the Varsity Boys race, the second place team had 42…but this time it was Seabreeze (4-7-8-11-12-13-14). New Smyrna Beach had 102 (16-18-21-22-25-26-27).
JV Girls
12 year old Juliet Rhodes has a deadly kick, and a killer smile. After only three races, she already has two wins (24:14.50 at the September 8th Trinity Prep Invitational, and 24:01.70 here), and six years of running left before she graduates in 2018…maybe that’s why she’s smiling.
“My brother Tristan ran for Trinity Prep. I kind of followed after him. This is my first year. So far it’s been pretty good. I was the first one from my school—at the Trinity Prep Invitational—two weeks ago.”
(A pause in the interview for Juliet to shout “Go Emily!” as her teammate, Emily Vu, finished in 28:29.13.)
“Today was really difficult. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m going to tell people that it was really hard.”
(Another pause in the interview for Juliet to holler “Go Lauren…whoooo!” This time it was Lauren Nix, in 30:00.1.)
“It was—I don’t know—it was so hard to describe. It will definitely make me a better runner, though.”
(Once again we pause—actually a double pause—to acknowledge two teammates on their way past. “Go Mackie!”—Mackie Clarke in 31:56.43—“Go Amber!”—Amber Yang in 32:02.03—“Whoooo!”)
“Hopefully, I’ll be on varsity in, maybe, two years.”
(That was everyone. Whooo!)
Team Results
Trinity Prep won by a place, or maybe it was a shout. TP had 32 (1-2-3-11-15-17-24), and New Smyrna Beach 34 (4-6-7-8-9-21-23). Mainland (close enough to have trained on the course) was third (10-12-13-1-19-20-28; 70), and Seabreeze (just down the block) fourth (5-14-18-22-25-26-27). Only 46 runners and four teams finished on foot. Three more got rides in the sports med golf cart.
Footnotes: Speaking of hitching a ride on the med-cart, I left this meet very impressed with the high profile of the Embry Riddle med-team. They had a fully-equipped medical tent--which included completed health questionnaires from every single participating athlete--an ambulance, about half a dozen med-carts on the course (I think I saw three or four athletes being driven back to the tent), a huge supply of both cold water and Gatorade (plus enough cups for many times the number of runners), and a platoon of trained first aid people monitoring the situation, both at the finish line and on the course. Great job!…If you check the results, you’ll see a brand new team on the scene, Taylor High School, from Pierson. A little birdie told me that ninety kids showed up for the first practice. Naturally, they are experiencing the usual start-up budgetary problems, so if anyone has appropriate clothing or equipment they would like to donate, e-mail me at Ralphoto@att.net.
More Coverage
- 2012 Embry-Riddle Asics Cross Country Meet Page - Coverage/Results
