5 Star Conference Freshman-Sophomore Summary Ralph Epifanio Mar 30, 2012

In track, there’s an expression that fits most competitive situations quite nicely; “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.” What it means, basically, is that pups need not try. But what if you’re not a canine at all, but rather another carnivore altogether?

Ralph Retiring? Ralph Epifanio Mar 08, 2012

 If you read his "Big D" story, you might have been under the impression that  Ralph Epifanio recently retired as a correspondent for flrunners.com., in order to "chair" a new trackside venture. As seen in the following photograph,  it might almost seem as if his idea has already hit paydirt. 

Ralph's Recap: Big D Relays Ralph Epifanio Mar 05, 2012

No matter where he wheeled it, the Wizard’s track tower seemed surrounded by a speeding swirl of humanity, sending PRs, SRs, DQs, DNFs, DNs, NBs, NHs, NTs, and Fouls spinning off every which way. 

ERAU's Last Chance Outdoor Track Meet With Indoor Events Ralph Epifanio Feb 21, 2012

Except for one afternoon each February, the term “Last Chance” conjures up completely different images in my mind: My sainted mother, leaning against a porcelain sink in an all-white kitchen, her arms folded across her chest, a wooden spoon stained red with spaghetti sauce clenched tightly in a white-knuckled fist, and on her face “the look,” warning me that the first words out of my mouth could be the last; a no-name, sun-bleached gas station on Nevada Highway 374, perched on the edge of Death Valley...

The Embry Riddle-Indoor Outdoor Challenge Ralph Epifanio Jan 31, 2012

If you live in or around Daytona Beach, Florida, you know that from late January to mid-March, it’s all about speed. (Vrooom,vrooom!) First there’s the Rolex Endurance Race (24 hours of beer, fried food, t-shirts, and of course one long sleepless night of non-stop car racing).

Behind the Curtain: Interview with Jason Byrne Ralph Epifanio Jan 07, 2012

In the storm-tossed mind of highly creative individuals, there is no rest, no port that might be called safe harbor. Waves of ideas flood the mind-flowing with inspiration and ebbing with exhaustion. Goals can be short-lived, because new ones quickly take their place. Days are long, and nights short. Even while asleep, the subconscious of these paragons of humanity become a fertile ground of design and innovation.

Ms. Harrier: Maria Harper Ralph Epifanio Dec 15, 2011

In her three and a half years at Stetson,  Maria Harper has starred on Stetson’s Cross Country team for four seasons, fulfilled all the requirements of her pre-med program, served Stetson as an ambassador par excellence, and still found time to volunteer nearly 1400 service hours to the Deland community that was her temporary  home.

Ankli, Teixeira Win at 4A District 2 Ralph Epifanio Nov 07, 2011

The running--as well as the outcome--of two races on the same day couldn’t be more different than that of this Girls’ and Boys’ District Championship. It was as if the script(s) for the double feature were planned, so as not to be redundant, lest it lose the interest of its viewers. 

A Ferrari In The Wiregrass Ralph Epifanio Oct 24, 2011

When I first saw the name of this meet’s location—Crews Lake Wilderness Park--I figured I’d wear my buckskins, and bring my birch bark canoe and axe. But that idea was tempered by what appeared on their website, where Pasco County Parks proudly announced its highlights as being a(n) “observation tower, bird houses, bike path, nature trail, botanical garden, playground (and not just any kind, but a BIG one), outdoor amphitheater, free rides on the Central Pasco and Gulf Railroad, and even primitive camping....Well, maybe I’d just bring the axe (in case it turned into a “Camp-o-runna”).

From Ralph’s Book of Lists Ralph Epifanio Oct 18, 2011

I did not run high school cross country. After entertaining the varsity football players during a daily, 45 minute gym class, I was generally too exhausted to run any further. Beginning in college, however, I did. That was a really long time ago (1967-71), but I do remember that running then was much simpler. The only things we really needed were a uniform, and our black canvas converse track flats. No gloves (we switched our socks from our feet to our hands when it got cold). No tape (except if you wore glasses, and they fell one time too many). And especially no watches (they were considered “banned aids.”)

UCF Black & Gold Meet Summary Ralph Epifanio Oct 15, 2011

Filling a date previously occupied by the now defunct Stetson Hatter Invitational,  UCF moved their September race to mid-October in order to provide a "warm up" for the upcoming conference championships. 

5 Star Conference Freshman-Sophomore Meet Ralph Epifanio Oct 13, 2011

Something old, something new: Deland sophomore Keneth Pineiro, hot off his 16:15, 4th place finish in the New Balance Elite Race at the October8th Hagerty Invitational, set a new course record –17:04--in winning the 5 Star Conference Freshman –Sophomore title. Spruce Creek was the team champion with 37 points.

Interview with Cassandra Harbin of FGCU Ralph Epifanio Oct 06, 2011

Four years ago, when they hired Cassandra Goodson, Florida Gulf Coast University Men’s and Women’s cross country was given a new life. Evidence of that is easy to find: female athletes that she has coached hold all of the top five school records in the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior class, and two of five (1st and 5th place) in the Senior category. With the men, the evidence of her influence is even more irrefutable: in the 5K (all ten), 4 mile (all), 8K (all ten), 8K Freshman (all 5), 8K Sophomore (all 5), 8K Junior (3 of 5; 1st, 3rd, and 5th,), and 8K Senior (all 5) occurred while she was coach. Today, thanks to the efforts of its now veteran coach, the Eagles are one of Florida’s most promising collegiate running programs.

Why Do We Run? De-Mystifying Cross Country Ralph Epifanio Sep 29, 2011

In today’s world of instant everything, it is imperative that we each have—at our fingertips--a quick guide to the more important things in life. That way we can be an instant expert--or as nearly so as possible--with a minimum of effort. For those already overburdened with school, work, or life in general, the following is intended to provide everything you will ever need to know about cross country, using an even dozen short questions as an illustration. Owing to the fact that I am the author, the answers are not necessarily as short, and the reader may give pause to consider if reality has surrendered itself to repartee.

Seymour, Teixeira Victorious at Deland Invitational Ralph Epifanio Sep 17, 2011

Peter Licari leads for 2.5 miles before being overtaken by speedster Otneil Teixeira with 600 meters to go. Otneil wins in 16:23. Bryce Seymour shot out from the gun and never looked back, winning with a time of 18:25.  Spruce Creek boys win, but Hagerty upsets the Creek girls.

Florida Tech Invitational Summary Ralph Epifanio Sep 12, 2011

Wickham Park was besieged by an abundance of water, and all that comes with it; uncut, overly long grass, patches of soft clay—formerly softball fields--that quickly became quagmires, ankle-deep puddles, rugs of “hitchhiker” seeds that floated on every ripple, and half-drowned insects that clutched at the first leg that went by. By the end of the race, between the water, mud, rugs, and bugs, a slow-moving runner could gain ten pounds in unwanted flotsam. And that, in a nutshell, is why momentum was the key to success.  

Tigers and Bears and Citations, Oh My! Ralph Epifanio Sep 09, 2011

On the morning of Saturday, August 26th, a group of runners set out to do a “long run” on the trails of Tiger Bay State Forest, just east of Deland. Around dawn, they drove through the open metal gate, parked their cars, and set out (depending upon the ability of the runner) for up to 90 minutes of heavy breathing.

Twin New 'World Records' Set at JU Short Course Duals Ralph Epifanio Sep 04, 2011

One can only assume that Bethune-Cookman got the memo about the scheduled 6:00 (women) and 6:25 (men) ‘’tee times.” However, as race time drew near, the Lady Wildcats were nowhere in sight.  Someone suggested that the driver of Wildcatmobile might have hit “scenic route” on her GPS before leaving Daytona, because by the time their bus was finally sighted by the JU Campus Security, those start times had to be adjusted by 15 minutes.  Their Women’s team warmed up by sprinting from the bathroom to the starting line, finally arriving at 6:14.  A grand entrance? Fashionably late? Team strategy? Who can tell? In effect, however, they made their presence known. First, you have Kadian “The Cleaver” Dunkley, who literally split a powerful Jacksonville women’s team in half.

Ralph's Musings: 3A Region 3 Championships Ralph Epifanio May 02, 2011

How does one capture the drama that is a Regional Championship? The middle step of three between local and state level competition, it is, if anything, only a glimpse of things to come. Certainly those who will advance are prepared to shed their challengers, real and hopeful alike. But fate can certainly occupy the lane beside you, and this meet had its share of accomplished, confident athletes whose season ended one meet short of a career full of promise.

Ralph's Musings: 4A District 2 (Story and Photos) Ralph Epifanio Apr 23, 2011

No matter how you look at it, track and field is all about results. Coaches demand it. Athletes aspire to improve upon theirs. Meet directors pay big bucks to people who promise to provide them. And yours truly spends long days at the keyboard searching for the right combination of words to describe them.

Ralph's Musings: Looking, Well, Different Ralph Epifanio Apr 22, 2011

Having just entered my eighth decade, and second millennium of life (I was born in 1949), when it comes to fashions I can honestly look back over quite a few indiscretions on my part. In the beginning Mom made all the choices, and my classmates made all the comments. When old enough to do so, I chose clothes to be “in style,” which in the early-to-mid 60s were completely lacking in any.

Ralph's Musings: Five-Star Conference Ralph Epifanio Apr 13, 2011

The Flagler-Palm Coast Boys Track and Field team has won the 5 Star title eight times in the past nine years: 2002, 2003, 2005 (129 points), 2006 (159), 2007 (221), 2008 (203.5), 2009 (245), and 2010 (180.5). During this span they have also finished second in the state (2002), and were twice FHSAA overall champions (2007 and 2009). But like a 300 meter hurdler having survived the (first) 8 hurdles in the prelims, they may find the next eight to be far more formidable.