2022 DUNEDIN FALCONS

CROSS COUNTRY BOYS & GIRLS SCHEDULE

HEAD BOYS' COACH: Dr. Judith Deeley deeleyj@pcsb.org

HEAD GIRLS' COACH: Maria Morrison morrisonma@pcsb.org.

This is mysecond year coaching cross country at Dunedin High School. I am excited to share my love of running with you. I began running competitively my freshman year in high school because my sister joined the team. I decided to tag along to practice rather than wait around for my parents and the rest is history….

My first 5-K meet I ran a 31:00, so believe me when I say I know we all start somewhere. By the end of my first season I was second on the varsity team running consistently in the 21:00. Upon graduating from high school, I received an athletic/ academic scholarship to Siena Heights University where I ran cross-country and track.

My coaching philosophy is pretty-simple: I will only ask of you what I know you’re capable of doing.  Many people say, “I can’t run” I simply don’t believe this to be true. Everyone can run; it takes time, discipline and the fortitude to keep moving forward.  If you’re willing to do the work to get better, I am committing to run next to you and help you improve.

I hope to hear from you soon. You can reach me by e-mail at morrisonma@pcsb.org or by phone at 727-386-9122

In my second year as assistant to Head Coach Maria Morrison, I look forward to helping with facilitation of training plans, organizing and sponsoring events and most fulfilling is infusing the joy of running obtained by being a member of cross country team.  

Forty four years ago, at age 12, the running bug bit me.  In both cross country and track and field, I participated as Varsity top runner in both New York (Kingston High) and Florida (Osceola High).  I would have to pull out the old newspaper articles to find my finish times, but I am sure Coach Morrison and I would have had some good races.  While I did not continue the sport in college, I did continue to train and enter races throughout my life from 5k to ½ marathons to marathon and even some triathlon.  I admit I peek at my age group standings.  It is fun to see running buddies from 20-30-40 years ago still hitting the pavement. 

Passing the torch of the love of running to my children was fun too.  Both ran for Coach Todd Howsare for part or all of their high school years.  One went on to run cross country at the state competition and in college, and was national level competitor in running, cycling and triathlon. 

I believe running is truly the best sport to serve a myriad of athletic prowess from collegiate aspirations to simple use for maintenance of fitness in support of other sports.  Persistence and perseverance are fruits of our labors.  Either way, come on out and enjoy fitness and fun while competing during your high school years.  If your goal is collegiate level cross country, we can help you get there.  Bonus:  lifelong friendships. 

For meet information, click on the calendar page. All meets can be found there, and if you click on the event, you will get more information like time and place.

We are excited to announce in a huge upset the Dunedin’s Girls Team has clenched 8th place at Districts and qualified for Regionals. This is the first time in Many Years Dunedin has qualified as a team. 

The boys team put up a valiant fight but came up short in advancing as a team. Senior Alexander Prothero ran an amazing PR of 18:29 to advance individually. 

To say the coaches are proud of these kids is an understatement. Individual results are below:

Join Coach Deeley and Morrison in congratulating our DHS Falcon Cross Country team for an amazing 2022 regular season; which ended today at the FL Runners Invitational in Lakeland FL. 

Freshman Luci Valentino came in second overall in her race. All of our athletes had amazing races for our last regular season competition and

we are looking forward to the post-season. The falcons will compete again at the District Meet on Wednesday 10/19/22 at Mary of Help in Tampa. 

Congratulate our Falcon runners on a race well run at PCAC’s on Tuesday, Oct. 11th. 

A stand out performance by Freshman Luci Valentino who placed in the top 10 of county. 

All of our team is improving with every meet. Cross Country is not a glamorous sport; our sport is what many others use as punishment. I am so very proud of these athletes! 

Led by the highly organized and effective training regimen of Coach Maria Morrison, supported by Assistant Coach, Judy Deeley, Dunedin Falcons Boys and Girls cross country team is growing, thriving and finding continued success.  Team members work together and support one another through grueling, hot, and recently drenched long runs and speed training. Top results are being experienced as a result.  Senior, Alex Prothero, placed top 20 at 11^th and 16^th respectively at both the Falcon and Mitchell invitationals. Freshman, Lucy Valentino placed 16^th and 9^th respectively at the same events.  This is truly a team that works together.  We expect more growth and success as everyone continues to improve each passing week.  In addition to running together, the athletes raise money for registration fees to races and earned enough to purchase snazzy new jerseys.  We thank all who support and cheer for us.