BOYS WINNER - Andres Arroyo - Junior @ Colonial
Grit, guts, toughness. All words that describe a warrior and Colonial junior Andres Arroyo. For the past two weeks Arroyo has stuck with Belen Jesuit senior Elliot Clemente for a majority of the race, showing he can compete with the Foot Locker finalist. This week at the UF Mt. Dew Invitational he ran a season best 15:37.81 en route to a runner-up finish. Coach Rene Plasencia is amazed with how well the junior is running this early in the season.
"I thought it was a very good performance. I never expected when I saw him run in middle school that he would be this fast. I don't want to say it seems easy for him, but it almost seems effortless when he's out there. I think it's impressive he sticks with Clemente for as long as he does. He's running great times and beating very good kids by a lot. I'm very impressed with how Andres has run."
According to Coach Plasencia, there are two game plans for Arroyo. One that involves Clemente and one that does not. If the Belen senior is in the race the plan is to stick with him (which Arroyo has been successful) and try to outkick him at the end (a work in progress). If no Clemente, then the junior has free reign to take the lead from the start and let loose. Plasencia says Arroyo is the type of kid who won't shy against competition and feels as if he can win every race on any given day.
"It really doesn't phase him. He just goes out there and no matter how bad it hurts or how bad it is, he is determined to win every race. He doesn't get intimidated by someone just because they are supposed to be faster than him. He goes out and runs hard. He has had very few bad races, but when he does it hurts him."
Even though the season is early, Arroyo's potential is evident. The junior has ran in two regular season meets and finished runner-up to Clemente both times in 15:45.70 and 15:37.81. Those times make him the top runner in 4A and one of the best overall in the state. Plasencia and Arroyo's goals are one in the same, take home a state title.
"I expect him to win the state title. He trains hard. There is no missing practice or taking intervals off. He wants to be the best runner we've ever had at our school and he's determined to be the best runner in the state. He has a great work ethic. He's a high quality kid and he's not afraid to hurt. My goals and his goals are to win a state title and qualify as an individual for Foot Locker Nationals."
Andres's Athlete Profile
GIRLS WINNER - Kari Grippo - Sophomore @ Gulf
Kari Grippo had two impressive performances earlier in the season, but both had asterisks next to them. The course was deemed short . As a result, the Gulf sophomore was disappointed and determined. Coach Dean Lofton says Grippo was out to prove she belonged with the state's best.
"I think that could have been an underlying factor. She's just all about the competition and she was excited to finally be in a race with some girls she knew would push her and bring her a long to a great time and I think she was really excited about that. She's probably happy to prove people wrong and I think deep down inside she has those other two races off her back now."
The game plan for Grippo at the FSU Seminole Invitational was to hang with two of the state's top runners in Holy Trinity freshman Julie Wollrath and Chiles senior Lily Williams at the FSU Seminole Invitational. The super sophomore did just that and found herself with an impressive time of 18:13.30 and a third place finish. Despite some nerves at the beginning, Lofton says this was one of her best performances.
"I think that was one of her best performances. She ran a true cross country course that had hills. She was in it until a half a mile to go and those other two girls just pulled away from her a little, but she did really well. She ran with a lot of guts and I think it was one of the best cross country races she's had."
Grippo hasn't had much racing experience on the cross country course. She competed in several road races over the summer, but Lofton believes with more intense training in the coming weeks combined with more competitive races, that the sophomore will be rearing to go twice as fast.
"She's doing what she is doing without any intense workouts. She's basically doing this off her summer mileage. I think she has a way to go once we get into the season and more intense workouts out there. I think she is going to come along just fine and maybe even crack that 18 minute mark."
Kari's Athlete Profile
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