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No stars, no problem for Wildcats

By BOB PUTNAM
Published March 10, 2005

With Isaria Ransom transferring to Pasco and Lindsey Locado graduating, Wesley Chapel coach Kristi Frye knew her team would be devoid of two big-time performers.

It hasn't mattered.

Getting the most out of what she had left, Frye steered her team to victory by a whopping margin at Friday's home meet.

"Those were our top two point scorers last season, so it was definitely a big loss," Frye said.

The season's first meet gave Frye an indication of how much they would be missed. Among those competing at the four-team meet was Zephyrhills, an up-and-coming program that was starting to find the pieces to fit its championship puzzle.

The Bulldogs rolled through their first two meets, doubling the point total of their closest competitor in each one. Competing against the Wildcats, the two-time Sunshine Athletic Conference champion, would be the biggest test.

It turned out to be no competition.

Wesley Chapel still has the athletes to fill the necessary voids in its lineup. That was evident as the Wildcats scored 117 points to beat Zephyrhills by 42.

"I don't know if you would call it a blowout, but it was a pretty strong performance," Frye said.

The Wildcats won 11 of 17 events. The individual winners: Patience Shackley (high jump), Deodria Pitifere (shot put), Pamela Guertin (pole vault), Jerrica Cabrera (100 and 300 hurdles), Jasmine Cabrera (100), Stephanie Amerman (1-mile), Melissa Sams (440) and Janice Williams (220). Wesley Chapel also won every relay.

And to think, the score could have been worse.

Ransom, who transferred, won the triple jump and long jump for Pasco. Amerman, a distance specialist, was sick most of last week and opted out of the 3,200.

Zephyrhills, meanwhile, had one winner, Marta Heindenreich , in the discus.

"We won by a lot, but Zephyrhills is tough," Frye said. "I know we'll have some closer meets."

The two teams compete again at the Chasco Invitational on Friday. Gulf hosts the nine-team boys and girls meet. The field events start at 3:30 p.m., followed by the running events at 5.

IN THE MIX: The Rams have been in the unusual position of looking up in the standings the past two seasons. In 2003, Wesley Chapel ended their 14-year stranglehold on the SAC. Last season, the Wildcats did the same to Ridgewood's 14-year district title winning streak.

To wrest back those crowns, Ridgewood will rely on field events, particularly the throws, and the middle distance races.

The Rams started on that quest at a four-team meet hosted by Mitchell on Friday. Ridgewood scored 112 points to beat the Mustangs by 31.

Nina Bonaparte (discus), Candace Grey (100 high hurdles), Dalia Madison (long jump), Kerri Brink (triple jump), Stephanie Fleres (1,600) and Alexis Heyman (800) were the Rams' individual winners. Ridgewood also won the 4x800 and 4x400 relay.

COACH KNOWS BEST: Mitchell boys coach Jacki Wachtel won the open female division of the Chasco Festival Main Street Mile in 5:27. Her time was 47 seconds behind overall winner, Jeff Masterson, a senior on her team.

[Last modified March 10, 2005, 01:15:14]