Vero Beach runners ‘excited about opportunity' at state

• By Jon Santucci
• TCPalm
• Posted November 19, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.

Why not Emily Ahrens? Why not Grace Thomas?

When Vero Beach cross country coach Martin O'Neal looks over the field for the Class 4A state meet, he sees many solid runners, but no dominant one. That means, in theory, that Ahrens and Thomas have an opportunity to claim a state championship. The two finished second and third, respectively, at the Region 2-4A meet.

The FHSAA state meet will take place at the Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City on Saturday morning. The Class 4A girls run at 7:30 a.m., with each successive race starting 25 minutes later.