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Highlands Today

Nowhere To Run

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

From left, Avon Park sophomores Daniel Temples and Jack Bland were members of last year's cross country team. The Red Devil runners are unable to compete this season since they don't have a coach.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: September 30, 2008

AVON PARK - Cross country is back in full swing in the Heartland, and Sebring, Lake Placid and Walker Memorial Academy are already making their way through the area's courses.

But one school has decided to hang up its colors for this year: Avon Park High School was forced to shut the season down before it even began, with the word that former coach Justin Martin had accepted a position with Lakeland High School.

Avon Park athletic director Mort Jackson doesn't blame Martin for taking the job, since he wasn't able to bring him on as a teacher.

"Justin had to do what was best for him," Jackson said. "He didn't get the call until a week before training was to begin, and I wish him all the best. There are no hard feelings and if I have the chance to hire him in the future, I would. He was a really good coach and the kids really liked him."

An intensive search began for a new coach in an attempt to save the season.

The first call Jackson made was to former coach AP track legend Chet Brojek, who declined to come on board on such short notice for personal reasons, but did help compile a list of potential candidates.

"I was on the phone constantly trying to find the team a coach," Jackson said. "It was just too short a notice to fill that position, and the decision was to cancel the program for the 2008 season."

Brojek was saddened when he heard the news that there wouldn't be a Red Devil cross country team for the first time since he started the program in 1971.

"It hurt when I found out the news," Brojek said. "I had hoped they would've found a job within the district for Justin so he could continue coaching, but it didn't work out with all the budget cuts.

"I really believe to have a successful program; you need a coach that teaches on campus. I know the Avon Park cross country team benefited from Justin's enthusiasm."

Jackson called a few of the team's top runners to inform them of the cancellation and found that the kids took it in stride.

"I felt really bad about canceling the season," Jackson said. "The cross country team has always done really well and has achieved so much. We had a decent returning team this year and it hurt to have to end it like this."

Sophomore Jack Bland understands the reasons behind the cancellation, but admits he was in the dark as to the plans for the season up until the end.

"People would come up to me and ask if I was running cross country this season and I'd tell them that I didn't know," Bland said. "I was holding out hope we'd get a coach, but things happen."

Teammate Daniel Temples was upset after hearing the news that there would be no season, as he knew how strong a team that Avon Park had coming back this season.

"We had some really good runners coming back, and I was excited for the season," Temples said. "We had Manuel Muro Jr., Jack, and I returning and we had a chance to do even better at the district meet and hopefully get a shot at state."

Temples was the top male runner for Avon Park cross country team, placing 32nd at the Class 2A-District 5 finals, while Bland made an impressive showing as a freshman, finishing in the top 50 at the districts last season.

Both runners believe they'll come back next season if a new coach is found, but Temples knows the team won't be the same.

"We're losing a lot of good runners and you wonder how many will come back after a year off," Temples said. "It's just a shame our season ended like this."

Brojek plans on being a volunteer coach for the Avon Park track team and will spend most of his time with the distance runners.

"I know that most of the cross country kids will be out for track," Brojek said. "I plan on spending my time re-developing the enthusiasm in distance running and I'll be recruiting for the cross country team for the fall."

Jackson has insisted that the Red Devil cross country team will be back next year.

"We're continuing to look for a coach for next year," Jackson said. "This program has too much history to just let it go. This gives us enough time to find the right coach and return even stronger next year."

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5827 or at choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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