Wellington's Brasovan romps to fourth consecutive state cross country title

By Dave Heeren | Special Correspondent

November 23, 2008

DADE CITY - For Ashley Brasovan there are two cross country seasons.

The first season, the one in which she runs by herself, ended Saturday with her fourth consecutive Class 4A state championship.

The second season, in which she competes for regional and national honors, begins today with a training run of 10 or 11 miles.

"[Today] is my long day. The big races are coming," Brasovan said.

No one else was in sight when the long-striding Brasovan crossed the finish line in 17:03 —72 seconds ahead of the runner-up Saturday at Little Everglades Ranch.

The fourth straight state title tied a record held by two other runners, and Brasovan admitted it was something she didn't even conceive of doing when she tried out for cross country as a freshman at Wellington High.

She said her goal Saturday was to get off to a good start. "That was my only goal, and I did start well. I could have pushed harder, but there was nobody there."

Brasovan has run the 5 kilometers in 16:42, and she might have to come close to that time to defeat Maria Cali of Hammond, La., who won the Louisiana state title in 16:51 on Tuesday.

Brasovan, who has verbally committed to Duke, knows she won't be lonely in the regional and national races coming up.

"I really can't tell what time I will have to run at nationals," she said. "It depends on the pace and the conditions."

Brasovan was one of two individual champions from Palm Beach County on Saturday. The other was Stephanie Schappert of Pope John Paul II.

In winning the Class 2A girls' individual title, Schappert put her name in the state record book along with her sister, Nicole, who won state titles in 2003 and 2004. They are the only sisters ever to have won Florida state cross country titles.

Schappert, a sophomore, won a regional title, but had only the fourth fastest time going into the state meet. She improved her time by 44 seconds in winning the 2A title in 18:10.

"I pretty much tried to stay on top the whole way," Schappert said. "I didn't really think I had it until I crossed the line."

Her winning margin was three seconds.

Schappert said early in the season she didn't even think she would be competing for a state title. In August she was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her right foot.

Sophomore Ryan Pickering of John I. Leonard improved on his regional time by 61 seconds in placing third in the boys' Class 4A race in 15:26.

Results

Class 4A

Boys' Team scores

1. Miami Columbus 86, 2. Melbourne 119, 3. Dr. Phillips 133, 4. Ferguson 174, 5. Niceville, 11. Park Vista 311, 17. Douglas 429, 20. John I. Leonard 453, 22. South Plantation 486, 23. Coral Springs 561, 24. Taravella 589.