New classifications, new challenges

Wesley Chapel will move up a class next year in golf and cross country and Hudson will jump one in golf. For the Wildcats, that could turn out to be a blessing.

The new classifications, released this week by the Florida High School Activities Association, show fast-growing Wesley Chapel jumping to Class 3A in cross country and 2A with Hudson in golf.

With the golf move, the Wildcats will escape from the shadow of neighboring Saddlebrook. Now rising junior Hana Young won't have to compete against her former Spartans teammates in the postseason. It's a major obstacle out of the way as well for Cameron Knight, who shot 74 at the region tournament as a freshman after qualifying individually.

That's not to say the Wildcats have it easy. Their new district puts them with 13 Tampa schools, including Wharton, whose boys finished fourth in the state last year, and Plant, whose girls reached the state tournament.

In cross country, the move up to the more competitive Class 3A means a tougher district for Wesley Chapel, now pitted against state-ranked powers such as Mitchell and Largo in Class 3A, District 5.

Not that running against the Citrus boys, Gulf girls and Lecanto was easy, but the 3A boys' race was the closest in the state last year. That could mean a tougher road to state, and at state, for all of the Wildcats, including standouts Stephanie Amerman, Kurt Able andDavid Forry.

Their rivalry with runners such as Mitchell's Jeff Masterson and Nicole Guercio and River Ridge's Samantha Jacobsen and Danielle Coyle will extend beyond the regular season and Sunshine Athletic Conference schedule to the district, region and state level.

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