Jesuit High School - Tiger Yearbook (Tampa, FL)

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as Sri' ' 5 3 if f Sr S 4 1. - 4 fry six' F a Y' . fx 0 ' ua' 6 g 4' ' at f' - - t gig, lg F I Ma is the cheer the Flying Tigers use to get psyched up for each race, OK Let's Stretch. Members ofthe Cross Country team perform their pre-race exercises attended by their faithful fan Joe Miliziano. ff f a . 5 ,tg F MF 'E if- I-', 5 Wfgw .fe ns. ,awww Made in the Shade. The Cross Country team gathers in the cool shade after another long race. Striving for State are seniors Wilson Rowe and Derek Rodriguez, Cross Country

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Cross Country sport at Jesuit that has seen a meteoric rise in popu- larity is cross country. The reason for this increased popularity has been the fact that in just the last couple of years, cross country has gone from one of Jesuit's least successful sports to one of its most successful. A great factor in this rise was the emergence of two runners in particular, Derek Rodriguez and Wilson Rowe. When these two were just sophomores, the squad was not very strong. As they matured, so did the team. By the time these two became seniors this year, the cross country team was a powerhouse. This year 's team had one of Jesuit's best seasons ever in cross country. The fantastic season of 1984 was not the product of just two people, however. The squad had incredible depth, and often Jesuit would place in seven or more of the top ten positions. Junior Jeff FitzSimons ran some great races and was usually the Tigers' third runner to cross the line. Sopho- more Lewis Mattison was another of the Tigers' best run- ners. Senior Chris Diaz was also a member of the elite group of runners to run in the state meet. Some of the other of the best Tigers were junior Henry Gonzalez, sophomore Paul Castellano, and freshman Karl Mattison and Brian Gowdy. As you can see by this impressive list, the Tigers will again be strong next year as well as in years to come. This newfound success is just another example.of Jesuit's overall excellence in athletics. Grim Determination. Senior Chris Diaz shows his unique form during a race. Keeping His Lead. Jeff Fitz-Simons blasts through yet another three mile race. Run Fast. Coach Bill Alexander gives some last minute instructions. Cross Country v.,,', rf'- fa Qs.,-. ' v 4 vs -tw sf E X xxx 'gang' fr! aim.-r if ' hi x 5. Y I r 'iz ,f- 4 f la ,T As. sv. ,. ' Es .c :QV , abil. rises -nga-sr ,ks nun H ' . d,,f:,, 'QM ff V5, 1Q,v 4 2 av t 4 4 'Ax Q to 'few Jr! if MW ivwfffig A ,za in 'V A S 5 73' , , Thief Q , ,T A. .. 5 5' L fi ,-sr - ' j Q i 'D ?g'lsf?i If --ny, 2- 'wa-.iff r .nt .,,'tf.fQ5,., gy M.. .jj if gbgrnk . ,, . , ' fr -5519 gf ,, c c'cc Q 'b , KH ,f 5s,it'9- na 1 L , .. , - - ,V A C C 1 as iss. fs . ---rr i -we , A- , ' A 1, f, , i T fm V tv' . .,. I ,V 4, ' I . , W1 Ag , ' ' i ' ,I 4 W ' i'.i r , ' I , ' . , .M V ' V Vi nf ' ,. ' I 3 J l '91 I I '. . A A f - , , ,N . V A j, , I V' ' r - r. . V ' L i. 1 I r ' f' i . . . in lv 5' 'I gp V 5.2 - ,ir ' 'Z 1 A L -- , W ' ' fi ' , . . W' 4. :ff 'W arg - rr M , J' ' Y aa: , ' ' f' V J 'Q . . I , ., - ' ff- 1 . T 'Z.,m:fi :.ws,w s W W .. ,, - f '- 4 , I , f ar W. , , In y'.:' A I ,. ' if g J s ' 1. ,vw 4 ag -311 Q W Q . .,. , 'TA Q? 'LM 1 M ,K ivy Qi. A , , I V' .4 W . w . s' , vp, 'r ' ' .:' i ' r 1 , r v . lil 1 K. Id Ev vi 6 , ,V I . V W .T 1 ' . ' ' r We H . -4 1 'iv f. ai I

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Cross Country hen Coach Bill Alexander took over the Jesuit Cross Country program four years ago, it was somewhat neglected. The squad routinely lost to Tampa Catholic and the future did not look bright. In the course of those four years, the team has become one of the great cross country forces in the county. There are a variety of reasons for the newfound success. Besides the previously mentioned individuals, determina- tion and teamwork have played important roles. The squad begins practicing in summer with grueling workouts and doesn't stop working until the state meet. The hard work paid off this year with a fantastic season. One of the shining highlights of the season was a re- sounding victory over Tampa Catholic. Just three years ago, TC was able to send three runners across the line at the same time, all of them ahead of Jesuit. This year Jesuit sent five runners together across the line without a TC runner in sight. The squad also fared well in a series of invitationals, all of which led to the district meet. The Tigers came through in the meet and qualified for regionals. From there the squad made another strong showing and qualified for state, The season ended with an incredible fifth place finish at state. Coach Bill Alexander and everyone involved with cross country should be commended for a great job. The drastic improvement that the team has shown in just four years is a testament to everyone associated with cross country at Jesuit. Spiritual Encouragement is provided by Fr. Kaack to Robbie Abram Karl Mattison, and Larry Shea before an important race. Going for the Gold is sophomore sensation Lewis Mattison. S, On your Mark, Get Set, Bang! The Flying Tigers fightfor position in the Venice Invitational. Cross Country -V -V 1 7' - ,. -when 'H , , ...if 3 . . if I in W it ,eff W H J' , xi' 2 .... . ., . i f 3,1 I,.Qff1w-2. ' 11 VZt,.....2. .... ., My . 4, my r M 4? M7 l 5 fm 3 ' ftfffiw J. . . ...adn . f f' W VV l. E Av- QW' 'I QI N T' 1' .. 1 2: S