Published: Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Updated: Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Peaking Hurricanes advance

NORTH PORT — Mike Smith just couldn’t stand still. He moved to his left, then to his right, then back to his left.

“This might be the most excited I’ve been in a while,” said Smith, the Manatee High boys cross country coach.

Smith had just read the names and times of his runners after Thursday’s Class 4A-District 4 meet at North Port High. After each name and time, Smith added the letters, “PR,” which stands for personal best, which means the Hurricanes had their best meet of the season.

“You come to a district meet, this is how you compete,” Smith said.

Paced by Chris Owens, who finished 14th overall in 16 minutes, 42 seconds, the Hurricanes finished fifth in the 20-team race and will compete Nov. 13 at the 4A-Region 2 meet at Lake Park in Tampa.

“We’re going to bring it,” Owens said.

The Hurricanes brought it Thursday, when their top five finished in the span of 21 runners and within 39 seconds of each other.

Nick Algozzine was 22nd in 16:56, Jordan Washer was 26th in 17:09, Chris Pate was 33rd in 17:19, and Matt Sanchez was 35th in 17:21.

“You put a plan together when you start the season,” Smith said. “You aim for this meet and you want to run this way, and we did.”

The top eight teams and top 15 individuals advanced to the region meet. There, it will be the top four teams and top 15 individuals who move on to the state 4A meet, Nov. 21 at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City.

“You run well this week, you survive for another week,” Smith said. “You aim to survive.”

The Hurricanes missed a trip to the state meet in 2008 when they finished fifth at regionals, three points out of fourth.

“Three points” could easily be the slogan printed on the Hurricanes’ T-shirts because they are motivated by last year’s narrow miss.

“This time we get there,” Owens said.

By his own unofficial count, Owens figured he placed 18th, a decent finish given the strong field of runners, but not one that would come with a ribbon. So how surprised was Owens to hear his name called when the top-15 finishers were announced?

“Very,” he said. “This is awesome. But it’s placement more than time. You want to get to the regional.”

Owens was 88th at last year’s 3A state meet, completing the course in 17:08.

He has a couple of goals for this season: To improve upon his time and place at the state meet and to not be the lone Hurricane on the course.

“I want the team to go,” Owens said.

Three runners on the Manatee girls team set PRs — Shelby Raye, 33rd in 20:55, Kaitlyn Gibson, 53rd in 21:44 and Amanda Gibson, 66th in 22:13 — but the Hurricanes’ season came to an end with a ninth-place finish.

n See district results, 3C

@z-BR Agatehed:Results

@z-BR Agate Bold Centered:GIRLS

Team

1. Tampa Plant 44, 2. Riverview 58, 3. Tampa Wharton 79, 4. Sarasota 139, 5. Seminole 170, 6. St. Petersburg Northeast 220, 8. Port Charlotte 232, 9. Manatee 266, 10. Palm Harbor University 266, 11. Tarpon Springs East Lake 270, 12. Tampa Freedom 283, 13. Tampa Gaither 321, 14. North port 336, 15. Tampa Alonso 448, 16. Clearwater 465, 17. Tampa Chamberlain 473, 18. Clearwater Countryside 481.