KEY WEST -- Although the Key West and Coral Shores High cross country teams face big challenges this afternoon in the very tough District 8-2A meet, all four squads have a chance of making it to the next level.
With plenty of depth on both the girls and boys cross country teams, Key West coach Terence White believes his squads have a good chance to advance past the district meet this afternoon at the Larry and Penny Thompson Park in Miami.
Coral Shores also has a very good shot at advancing, especially behind Joanna McCoy, one of the top female runners in the state, and senior Mike Hampson leading the boys' team. Both of the 'Canes teams have a really good shot getting to the next running stop.
Key West senior Zack Harden, who is not having the kind of year he envisioned, could have that breakout race today. Behind Harden are five evenly matched runners that could help pull them to the regionals next week.
The Lady Conchs are led by sophomore Morgan Nelson and following her are also four strong runners making coaching easy for White.
"These kids have been working hard for a long time and I think we feel like this is the culmination of all that hard work," White said. "For the past couple of years, Zack has had phases where he has been running a little bit stagnant and broke out. I feel like he could have a breakthrough at any time and (today) would be a good day to do it. What he's doing at practice every day in leading, even though he's not having the season he wanted to, he's still out there leading by example showing a positive attitude. His leadership has been a huge factor in our success this season."
Vying for the No. 2 spot for the Key West boys could be either sophomore Aeschton Tomita or senior Michael LaBounty. Both had tough starts to their season but have excelled in the past month.
"I think Aeschton is ready for something big. Mike LaBounty is also starting to put it together and one or both could do so well (today)," White said. "I think our success this year is our depth. We've got a lot of kids that can step up. Right down the line we're pretty solid. Behind them we have Kiernan Campbell, Justin Hamilton and Jamel McNeill. We've been running well as a team and I think this year if we go out there and run our race like I know we can, we're going to control our destiny. We won't have to hope someone will falter."
Nelson, who is the Lady Conchs' top runner, has plenty of backup giving her team a valid shot for the next level. White said his girls are all healthy and will give other teams a run for their money.
"Morgan is a clear No. 1 and think she is ready to uncork a good race," White explained. "Similarly to the boys, we've got a clear No. 1 and after that we come at you with Kendall Galvan, Jayci Hall, Priscilla Welzien and Marlene Thurber. One through five, if we move on it's going to be our depth."
The top six teams in the district meet out of normally 15 to 16 teams qualify for regionals. Ransom Everglades is real strong as Gulliver Prep and University School are right there. After that, it's really an open race.
"I think we're getting better," White said. "Last year we sort of ran out of gas but I think we have our best race ahead of us -- hopefully (today). I think we're peaking at the right time."
rcooke@keysnews.com