Plant No. 1 runner Kissel opts out of track

Posted Jan 26, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 26, 2012 at 07:33 PM

Danielle Kissel, Plant High’s No. 1 runner when it won the Class 4A state cross country title last fall, will not be participating in track this spring for the Panthers, Kissel told the Tribune on Thursday.

Kissel said she will be focusing on the USATF Cross Country Championships, Feb. 11 in St. Louis, where, besides senior competition, there will be a 4-kilometer high school race. She said her training for this event conflicts with the mandatory practice held each day by Plant coach Roy Harrison.

Kissel has also said she is gearing her training toward next fall’s college cross country season. Kissel, who finished third in the state finals for Plant—tops by any runner in Hillsborough County—recently made a verbal commitment to run for the University of Tampa.

In the meantime, Kissel said she will try to stay sharp by entering the occasional local road race. Last weekend, she made her debut in the half marathon, where she turned in a time of 1 hour, 31 minutes.

Also not expected out for track for Plant this spring is another member of the Panthers’ cross country team, Katherine Ralston. Harrison said after four days of practice, his No. 8 runner from last season has not attended any session.