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Runners Earn Second Helpings

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Runners take their first strides on Thursday at the 16th annual Turkey Trot 5K RunWalk at Highlands Hammock State Park.

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Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: November 29, 2008

SEBRING - Connor Bauer gave a whole new meaning to the term "cold turkey" on Thursday morning at the 16th annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk at Highlands Hammock State Park.

The Sebring High School junior, fresh off an eighth-place finish at the Class 2A state cross country meet last week, sped through his home course in 16 minutes, 59 seconds to take first place overall at the annual Thanksgiving morning race.

"I was freezing out there," said Bauer, 16, following his victory. "I'm a Florida boy, definitely. I don't like this cold. I ran with a huge jacket most of the race, but I chucked it at the end for the sprint.

On the women's side, another high school standout, Jennifer Maxwell of Kathleen High School in Lakeland, was the top female finisher in 19:50. The result was both a personal best and the first race the 17-year old has ever won. She said she enjoyed the unique layout of the Hammock course, which winds through state park's dense forest area.

"I like running in the woods," Maxwell said. "It was a good race, and it was nice to get my best time."

Bauer didn't post the best time he's had at Highlands Hammock, but he had a healthy advantage of many of the other runners, as this is his home course that he knows better than most of the runners in the area.

"My time wasn't where I wanted it to be, but I'm not really worried about that now. This race had more of a fun mentality to it." Bauer said. "I definitely had the home-course advantage because I've run this course hundreds of times.

"I love this course."

Event organizer Chet Brojek said that this year's event was one of the best on record, as they finished with 347 entrants and 316 of those braved the chilly temperatures to cross the finish line.

"We've had about 350 entries over the last two years, which has made this an enormously successful event," Brojek said. "I was really pleased to see so many volunteers come out to help us on such a cold morning. They all pitched in to make this a great event that keeps exceeding expectations."

Another joy of Brojek's, who is the legendary Avon Park cross country and track coach, was the sight of so many families coming out to participate in the run - something that has been building over the past few years.

"It's great to see a lot of younger kids out with their families to run," Brojek said. "We have so many kids from 10-14 years old and that really gets me excited. It's important to expose a child to the joys of running at an early age and show them that it can really be fun.

"I use to tell my athletes that it may hurt for a moment, but five minutes after the run, you're left with that sense of elation that is hard to match. You really feel like you've accomplished something."

For the next big event, Brojek has decided to spice things up for the running community, as he has a double distance event on tap for the first time.

On Jan. 24th, runners will be able to pick their poison with a 13.1 half marathon and 5K run on the same day. Fifteen age divisions for both men and women with a medal going to everyone who finishes the event.

For more information on entry and deadlines, contact Brojek at cbrojek@comcast.net.

16TH ANNUAL TURKEY TROT AT HIGHLAND'S HAMMOCK RESULTS

Overall Male Winner: Connor Bauer 16:59

Overall Female Winner: Jennifer Maxwell 19:50

Male Master Winner: Eddie Nesmith 17:57

Female Master Winner: Laura Griffin 23:08

Male Grand Master Winner: Terry Engle 21:20

Female Grand Master Winner: Lois Hotchkiss 28:02

Female Age Group Winners (Top Three)

(10 and under) Kate Carol 29:25; Elizabeth Gonzalez 38:04; Alexandra Collier 46:44

(11-14) Amy Morales 24:57; Emily Smith 26:06: Taylor Shawver 29:10

(15-19) Maxine Copley 22:27; Cait Lyn Moulds 23:25; Marta Fantacci 23:27

(20-24) Bridget Blyth 23:26; Nicole Perry 25:44; Elizabeth Rivera 28:44

(25-29) Sarah Brooker 22:37; Tiffany Cadzaw 24:30; Allison Kapphan 25:39

(30-34) Andra Armstrong 24:52; Kim White 25:12; Rebecca Mendes 26:14

(35-39) Vicki Musselman 23:18; Janel Livingston 23:38; Julie Balboni 25:35

(40-44) Evelyn Perez 24:41; Jennifer Glassburn 25:07: Peggy Sueppel 25:08

(45-49) Linda Arredondo 27:59; Darlene Pigman 28:32; Rebecca Tewes 29:08

(50-54) Anita Travis 24:37; Leesa Skipper 29:32; Melinda Short 32:21

(55-59) Elena Febre 31:25; Amy Piper 32:37; Virginia Okie 34:38

(60-64) Gail Tew 29:47; Marcia Kissane 33:25; Carolyn Willis 35:29

(65-69) J.K. Creed 55:42

(70-74) Sandy Brosius 35:05; Jan Coyle 44:41; Carrie Bird 44:43

Male Age Group Winners

(Top Three)

(10 and under) Jimmy Frazier 24:35; Allen Mendes 37:44; Wesley Clark 42:21

(11-14) Thomas Dash 21:25; Jeremy Farrell 21:34; Chase Ricketts 23:45

(15-19) Benjamin Noel 23:44; Jake Broen 23:59; Brett Hargden 24:17

(20-24) Andrew Altvater 17:08; Daniel Bedell 18:14; Matthew Schult 19:29

(25-29) Trey Christy 20: 37; Nathan Skipper 21:28: Eddie Cannon 22:00

(30-34) Billy Bone 22:03; Justin Williams 23:01; Bob Swaine 23:25

(35-39) Douglas Morton 17:16: Rob Moulds 21:55; Brian Balboni 22:47

(40-44) Rob Livingston 24:13; Mike Monski 24:53; Michael Ritacco 27:51

(45-49) Tim Williams 20:23; Jerry Whidden; 22:02; James Broen 22:08

(50-54) Roger Travis 19:07; Joe Woznicki 19:47; Randy Sykes 20:26

(55-59) Thomas Lucas 20:53; Danny Glenn 22:20; Peter Lewia 23:10

(60-64) Richard Rucker 25:31; Earl Bosley 27:10; Gary Dressel 32:27

(65-69) Frank Wenger 29:48: Bob Ushka 35:26; Cliff Ables 35:56

(70-74) Loyd Coleman 32:12: Robert Stegman 38:40: Jack Clark 44:16

(75-79) Ken Filppula 41:41; Bill Kramer 43:43; Joseph Bird 43:50

(80-84) W.H. Harward, Jr. 54:36

The Highlands Today sports department can be reached at 863-386-5841 or sports@highlandstoday.com.

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