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Riverview Senior Goes The Distance

Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Kyle Myers is a senior on the Riverview High School varsity cross country team. He is a member of the school's ROTC program and plans to attend Embry-Riddle University next year.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2008

Updated:

RIVERVIEW - During his sophomore season, Kyle Myers ran the one-mile and two-mile races as a member of the Riverview High School varsity track and field team.

So tacking on an extra mile or so wasn't too much of a stretch.

"I hung around with people on the track team who also did cross country," Myers said. "They told me I should come try out."

As a member of the cross country team, Myers and his teammates now run 5-kilometer races, which are 3.1 miles.

A senior, Myers began his second season as a member of the varsity cross country team Sept. 16 during the East Hillsborough Invitational at Newsome High School in Lithia.

The team lost to Newsome, but coaches are optimistic about the team and Myers, in particular.

"He's a good leader, and the best thing I can say about him is that he's learned how to coach himself," said Luke Thomas, entering his fourth season as a coach for the cross country team. "As a young athlete, and as a young man, that's very important."

Myers said he will also participate in track and field in the spring and plans to add the 300-meter hurdles and long jump to his repertoire.

"Being on the track and field team definitely helped prepare me for cross country, because I think cross country is a little tougher," he said.

In cross country, runners compete on rougher terrain than they would deal with on a track.

Scoring is done on a team basis, with individual runner's finishing position equaling the amount of points scored for the team. The team with the lowest point total wins.

Myers' goal this year is to break the 20-minute mark for a 5K. His best time is 22 minutes, 35 seconds.

As for more long-term goals, he hopes to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

"I'm a member of the ROTC here, and I'm hoping to get into the program there and go in as an officer in the Navy," Myers said.

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Kyle Myers

AGE: 17

SCHOOL: Riverview High

GRADE: 12th

SPORTS: Cross country and track and field

PLANS: Attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and become an officer in the Navy

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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