| South Region
McAlpine Park, Charlotte NC
Nov. 24, 2007
|
Seeded Girls
Results
Kroeger's Back! Defending FL champ Kathy Kroeger TN beats Kayla Hale FL at the wire
Top 10 Finishers
1 Kathy Kroeger (11) Franklin, TN 16:56
2 Kayla Hale (11) Indialantic, FL 16:56
3 Emilie Amaro (12) Fort Lauderdale, FL 16:58
4 Brittany Koziara (11) Orlando, FL 16:59
5 Aurora Scott (12) Portsmouth, VA 17:03
6 Ashley Brasovan (11) W Palm Beach, FL 17:07
7 Chelsey Sveinsson (9) Dallas, TX 17:22
8 Cory McGee (10) Pass Christian, MS 17:29
9 Lauren Smith (11) Lake Jackson, TX 17:32
10 Kath. Lautzenheiser (10) Midlothian, VA 17:35
Race Recap
by Brett Honeycutt, DyeStat Southeast Editor
It was one of the best Foot Locker regional finishes ever, starring last year’s national champ continuing a season-long comeback and a small-school Florida champ running the race of her life.
2006 Foot Locker Finals champ Kathy Kroeger (Independence TN junior) and 2006 Foot Locker Finalist Kayla Hale (Holy Trinity HS junior) battled it out to the line, with Kroeger just edging Hale to win, both in 16:56. Amazingly, although she wasn’t quite as fast as last year, this was the one race Kroeger did NOT win during her championship campaign. Hale, meanwhile, has been outstanding for her whole career in the Sunshine State, but somewhat in the shadow of Ashley Brasovan and Emilie Amaro. Not today.
But the favored Brasovan (17:03, 6th) and Amaro (3rd, 16:58) both did qualify, as it was a banner day for Florida running. Amaro (Cypress Bay) was just two seconds back of the leaders in making her 2nd trip to San Diego. Hale also qualified for the 2nd time, but for Brasovan, it will be her first Finals appearance. Then Brittany Koziara of Boone, third in the 4A Fla. state meet behind Brasovan and Amaro, was a stunning 4th. That’s four of the top six.
Meanwhile, defending FL South champ (and 06 Finals runner-up) Aurora Scott (Portsmouth VA) ended speculation about her racing and fitness by joining the 4-time Finals qualifiers club in 5th at 17:03. Brasovan was followed three first-time qualifiers and one repeater. The latter is Cory McGee (Pass Christian MS, 8th in 17:29), while the first-timers are Texans Chelsey Sveinsson (Dallas freshman, 7th in 17:22) and Lauren Smith (Lake Jackson jr., 9th 17:32), and Virginia’s Kathleen Lautenheiser (Midlothian soph, 10th in 17:35).
Both Kroeger and Hale said they came in not expecting to take the victory.
Kroeger, the three-time Tennessee 3A champion, became the first girl from Tennessee to win since the first year of the meet in 1979 when Ginger Sullivan of Harpeth Hall in Nashville, TN won. Kroeger also qualified for the third straight year. Hale is going for her second straight time.
"I just wanted top 10," Kroeger said. "That was my goal. All I wanted to do was qualify.
"I was just going as fast as I could, because it was just a little bit left. I knew they were a little bit behind me. I was kind of surprised, with about 10 yards to go, when Kayla Hale came up. I just sprinted as fast as I could and I barely nipped her at the tape. I didn't even think of winning it. My only goal was to qualify."
The victory was the latest step of Kroeger’s season-long comeback from missing track due to doctor’s orders to gain weight, then a summer stress fracture. At Great American, she was runner-up, but 40+ seconds behind Ashley Brasovan, who was 6th Saturday (herself qualifying for Foot Locker for the first time in three tries).
Hale, the three-time Florida 1A champion, didn't even think about winning until the end.
"On the straightaway, I felt I was in comfortable position as far as qualifying," Hale said. "But I remembered my coach saying that you're not just here to qualify. You're here for more than that.
"I thought I had a shot, so I should go for it."
Less is more for Scott
Scott has taken a low-key approach to this season, running minimal races and basically training through most everything. It seems to be working just fine.
She and her father/coach, Spencer Scott, both said they knew her times were going to be slower because of how they were training her this year, peaking for big races, mainly Foot Locker and a possible berth at the World Cross Country Championships.
"My times will be a lot slower (now), to peak to be ready," said Aurora.
Said her father: "The World Cross Country Championship is a target this year, when it wasn't last year."
"We haven't run any races at race pace," he said. "We've trained through everything. It was probably like rolling the dice."
Gamble or not, it could be smart in the end. Either way, her legs will be saved from a grueling season and she'll gain experience (good or bad, training and racing).
When asked to compare to last year's meet, when she set the course record of 16:26, Aurora said, “It wasn't necessary to break the record, just go out there and have fun and try to get in the top 10 and win yourself a trip out there."
"She knows what she can do on this course." her father said.
Brasovan: Just qualifying
So what if Brasovan finished sixth despite being the favorite coming in? Aren't regionals for qualifying?
Brasovan, wrapped up after the race to protect herself from the chilly weather, was part of a pack of six runners until late in the race when Kroeger and Hale broke, but Brasovan, the three-time Florida 4A champion, was content where she was running.
"I just wanted top 10, that was my goal," said Brasovan after the race. "All I wanted to do was qualify."
In two weeks at nationals, don't be surprised to see her near the top when the race is finished.
More notes: Sveinsson has dual-citizenship for Iceland, where she was born, and the United States and she is eligible for Iceland's track and cross country teams. Lautenheiser will be joined by Midlo teammate Jason Witt on the boys side.
GIRLS' 10 QUALIFIERS
1. KATHY KROEGER, Independence; three-time Tennessee 3A champion qualified for the third time.
2. KAYLA HALE, Holy Trinity; three-time Florida 1A champion qualified for the second time.
3. EMILIE AMARO, Cypress Bay; four-time Florida 4A runner-up qualified for the second time.
4. BRITTANY KOZIARA, Boone (Orlando), Florida 4A third place qualified for the first time.
5. AURORA SCOTT, home school in Chesapeake; Virginia qualified for the fourth time.
6. ASHLEY BRASOVAN, Wellington; three-time Florida 4A champion qualified for the first time.
7. CHELSEY SVEINSSON, Greenhill School; Texas; qualified for the first time.
8. CORY MCGEE, Pass Christian; Mississippi 3A champion (2007) and 4A champ (2006, 2005) and 4A runner-up (2004) qualified for the second time.
9. LAUREN SMITH, Brazoswood, Texas 5A champion (runner-up in 2006) qualified for the first time.
10. KATHLEEN LAUTZENHEISER, Midlothian; Virginia 3A champion qualified for the first time.
CREDENTIALS FOR THE NEXT 15 (top 25 overall)
11. ADRIANNE SOO, Durham Academy, two-time North Carolina Independent Schools 3A champion
12. KACEY NOBERT, St. Agnes; Tennessee Division II AA champion (third in 2006)
13. KIMBERLY SPANO, North Mecklenburg; two-time North Carolina 4A champion
14. JENNIFER DUNN, Austin; Alabama 6A champion (runner-up in 2006 in 2005)
15. LIA DIVALENTIN, Chantilly; Virginia 3A runner-up
16. MALIA CALI, St. Thomas Aquinas; two-time Louisiana 2A champion.
17. STEPHANIE GANTER, McKinney North; Texas 4A third place (sixth in 2006)
18. BAILEY BELVIS, Prosper; Texas 3A champion
19. TARA UPSHAW, Southlake Carroll, Texas 5A 11th in 2007, third in 2006
20. KELSEY JOHNSON, Iowa Park; Texas 3A third place (fith in 2006)
21. MANDY PERKINS, Spruce Creek; Florida 4A fifth place (10th in 2006)
22. MICHELLE LUTZ, Jordan; North Carolina 4A eight place (fifth in 2006).
23. MAGGIE GENTRY, Brentsville; Virginia
24. JANE GAY, North Cross School; two-time Virginia Independent Schools Division II Champion
25. KATLYN WILL, Corinth, Mississippi 3A runner-up (three-time 3A champion, 2006, 2005 and 2004)
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Results
1 Kathy Kroeger (11) Franklin, TN 16:56
2 Kayla Hale (11) Indialantic, FL 16:56
3 Emilie Amaro (12) Fort Lauderdale, FL 16:58
4 Brittany Koziara (11) Orlando, FL 16:59
5 Aurora Scott (12) Portsmouth, VA 17:03
6 Ashley Brasovan (11) West Palm Beach, FL 17:07
7 Chelsey Sveinsson (9) Dallas, TX 17:22
8 Cory McGee (10) Pass Christian, MS 17:29
9 Lauren Smith (11) Lake Jackson, TX 17:32
10 Kathleen Lautzenheiser (10) Midlothian, VA 17:35
11 Adrianne Soo (11) Chapel Hill, NC 17:38
12 Kacey Nobert (9) Memphis, TN 17:41
13 Kimberly Spano (11) Huntersville, NC 17:44
14 Jennifer Dunn (12) Decatur, AL 17:45
15 Lia Divalentin (11) Fairfax, VA 17:48
16 Malia Cali (10) Hammond, LA 17:54
17 Stephanie Ganter (12) Mc Kinney, TX 17:54
18 Bailey Belvis (11) Prosper, TX 17:56
19 Tara Upshaw (11) Southlake, TX 17:56
20 Kelsey Johnson (12) Iowa Park, TX 17:57
21 Handy Perkins (11) Ormond Beach, FL 18:04
22 Michelle Lutz (12) Durham, NC 18:09
23 Maggie Gentry (11) Nokesville, VA 18:09
24 Jane Gay (12) Roanoke, VA 18:10
25 Katlyn Will (11) Corinth, MS 18:11
26 Ariel Karabinus (10) Manassas, VA 18:12
27 Catherine Westenhover (12) Austin, TX 18:13
28 Elizabeth Heath (12) Alexandria, VA 18:14
29 Devin Spoerle (12) Titusville, FL 18:15
30 Stacey Nobles (11) Virginia Beach, VA 18:15
31 Whitney Bishoff (12) Winder, GA 18:16
32 Heather Beichner (12) Cary, NC 18:16
33 Octavia Rinehardt (12) Virginia Beach, VA 18:16
34 Annie LeHardy (9) Roanoke, VA 18:17
35 Christina Lee (10) Sterling, VA 18:18
36 Leia Lautzenheiser (10) Midlothian, VA 18:19
37 Ashley Flores (10) Fort Worth, TX 18:21
38 Cara Hayes (12) Etowah, NC 18:23
39 Virginia Hine (12) Memphis, TN 18:24
40 Tricia Terry (11) Mcallen, TX 18:24
41 Lauren Hopper (10) Ashland, VA 18:25
42 Sara Vaughn (12) Tulsa, OK 18:26
43 Anneka Wilson (10) Vienna, VA 18:27
44 Presley Parkes (9) Winchester, VA 18:27
45 Brittany Robertson (12) Rosharon, TX 18:28
46 Logan Leigh Waites (12) Hattiesburg, MS 18:31
47 Andie Cozzarelli (12) Apex, NC 18:33
48 Laura Rapp (12) Lynchburg, VA 18:34
49 Katrina Skinner (12) Tampa, FL 18:34
50 Sydney Marshall (10) Alpharetta, GA 18:35
51 Leila Norman (12) Marietta, GA 18:35
52 Erin Barker (12) Easley, SC 18:36
53 Susanna Sullivan (12) Falls Church, VA 18:37
54 Amanda Lineberry (10) Mechanicsville, VA 18:38
55 Caroline Kirby (12) Arden, NC 18:39
56 Jenna Moye (11) Moseley, VA 18:41
57 Barbara Strehler (11) Moseley, VA 18:43
58 Regan Tindell (10) Belton, TX 18:43
59 Lindsay Ester (12) Burlington, NC 18:44
60 Sullivan Parkes (11) Winchester, VA 18:48
61 Emme McAtee (11) Louisville, KY 18:49
62 Juliana Stern (11) Melbourne, FL 18:50
63 Molly Baker (11) Cary, NC 18:52
64 Callie Cooper (11) Saint Augustine, FL 18:52
65 Catherine Loden (12) White Oak, TX 18:54
66 Sarah Willingham (11) Hendersonville, NC 18:54
67 Haley Holway (11) Charlotte, NC 18:55
68 Allie Scalf (11) Piney Flats, TN 18:55
69 Amanda Russell (10) Cedar Park, TX 18:55
70 Bret McDaniel (10) Atlanta, GA 18:56
71 Adair Quisenberry (12) Owensboro, KY 18:56
72 Kelsey Kane (12) Knoxville, TN 18:57
73 Morgan Turner (11) Lincolnton, NC 19:01
74 Melanie Reyer (112) Charlotte, NC 19:01
75 Elizabeth Barclay (11) Charlottesville, VA 19:02
76 Bekki Misanin (12) Sterling, VA 19:04
77 Sinead Haughey (9) Central, SC 19:05
78 Alison Bishop (11) Stockbridge, GA 19:05
79 Helene DeLone (12) Houston, TX 19:07
80 Allison Hofmann (11) Charlotte, NC 19:08
81 Haley Cutright (9) Roanoke, VA 19:09
82 Madison Stark (12) Chapel Hill, NC 19:09
83 Michelle Britto (11) Woodbridge, VA 19:13
84 Tara Wilson (12) Granite Falls, NC 19:15
85 Megan Marsko (10) Salem, VA 19:15
86 Ashley Isham (10) Cedar Park, TX 19:15
87 Markie Voyles (11) Sparta, TN 19:16
88 Caroline Kirk (12) Lawrenceville, GA 19:17
89 Haleigh Pustka (12) Wallis, TX 19:18
90 Elizabeth Walls (12) Haymarket, VA 19:18
91 Kristen Azarelo (12) Cary, NC 19:19
92 Melissa Saunders (9) Sterling, VA 19:21
93 Chloe Kowalski (12) Pensacola, FL 19:23
94 Emma Bussard (12) Carrollton, GA 19:24
95 Mackenzie Robinson (9) Hillsborough, NC 19:25
96 Kristen Tithof (12) Friendsville, TN 19:26
97 Halsey Merritt (11) Durham, NC 19:28
98 Eva Baker (12) Alexandria, VA 19:30
99 Morgan Taylor (11) Johnson City, TN 19:31
100 Alexa Gellman (11) Charlotte, NC 19:31
101 Nicole DiMercurio (11) Suwanee, GA 19:33
102 Emily Carpenter (12) Cabot, AR 19:34
103 Katie Walls (12) Arlington, VA 19:38
104 Kaylan Comer (12) Stafford, VA 19:38
105 Abbie Robinson (12) Douglasville, GA 19:38
106 Katie Russo (10) Fort Myers, FL 19:39
107 Chelsi Woodruff (10) Winter Park, FL 19:40
108 Zatha Loewen (10) Hampstead, NC 19:41
109 Gillian Giffen (12) Knoxville, TN 19:42
110 Leah Vaughn (12) Raleigh, NC 19:43
111 Kelly Karcher (11) Woodstock, GA 19:43
112 Brandi Witte (12) East Bernard, TX 19:44
113 Sarah Bryan (11) Alexandria, VA 19:44
114 Tiyonna Blackmon (12) Fort Mill, SC 19:45
115 Traci Jones (12) Aiken, SC 19:52
116 Ali McWhirter (12) Atlanta, GA 19:55
117 Kaleigh Wood (11) Wirtz, VA 19:55
118 Kayla Kuziola (10) Johnson City, TN 19:56
119 Laurie Humphrey (11) Tobaccoville, NC 19:58
120 Jenna Pickett (12) Winchester, VA 19:58
121 Carolyn Smith (12) Winchester, VA 20:03
122 Mary Seward (11) Elizabethton, TN 20:05
123 Hannah Orders (12) Charlotte, NC 20:07
124 Kelly Maw (10) Raleigh, NC 20:08
125 Emiily Love (11) Cary, NC 20:13
126 Kesia Derilus (12) West Palm Beach, FL 20:13
127 Sara Walcott (12) Cleveland, GA 20:14
128 Jacki Ferrance (11) Mechanicsville, VA 20:14
129 Mary Margaret Peter (11) Virginia Beach, VA 20:16
130 Alexa Neiling (10) Simpsonville, SC 20:17
131 Elyse Will (11) Belmont, NC 20:18
132 Reanna Hawkins (11) Durham, NC 20:21
133 Dolly Dollars (12) Sugar Grove, NC 20:24
134 Chelsea Maxwell (12) Appling, GA 20:28
135 Emily Branch (12) Advance, NC 20:28
136 Kyle Clark (12) Hickory, NC 20:28
137 Morgan Buchanan (11) Johnson City, TN 20:29
138 Celia McNabb (11) Alexandria, VA 20:41
139 Leslie Raymond (11) Lewisville, NC 21:01
140 Elizabeth Hurley (11) Rougemont, NC 21:13
141 Marjorie Ducos (10) Orlando, FL 21:23
142 Megan Halloran (10) Cornelius, NC 21:37
144 Susanna McKee (11) Statesboro, GA 25:14
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