DAVE DEVEREUX Mariner senior Emily LaBarbera (right) and her mother, Michelle, review the cross country and track scholarship papers she signed Friday with Florida Southern College.

Emily LaBarbera had quite a run – actually several of them – during her four years of track and cross country for the Mariner High Tritons. Time spent with friends, coaches, teachers and so forth was memorable, too.

LaBarbera hopes for a similar experience at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. She signed a cross country and track scholarship with the school Friday.

Her parents, Tom and Michelle, joined her at the signing table, along with Kathy Horodowich (assistant track coach), Angela Hancock (cross country coach), Vito Mennona (athletic director) and Erik Cioffi (principal).

“I like it because it’s really small,” she said. “I didn’t need to go to a big place. I’m so used to everybody here being very close. That’s what I liked about it.”

For the Tritons, LaBarbera compiled a lengthy list of accomplishments. She lettered all four years in both track and cross country, making it to state once in track and three times in cross country. She led the team to state in cross country twice and set the school record in the 5K in 2007 with a time of 19:44.

Like most strong runners, LaBarbera showed individual drive, but also showed an ability to work with teammates.

“When she got here we really weren’t on the map,” Hancock said. “She was a great leader. She helped motivate kids and helped recruit people in the halls to come out and run.”

LaBarbera began running in sixth grade. In high school, she ran 5K during cross country competitions and participated in the mile, two-mile and 800 in track.

She trains six days a week, usually, running between 30 and 70 miles per week.

Hancock said LaBarbera has the work ethic to continue her success with the Moccasins.

“She wants to have a good team, she wants to be motivated, she has all the qualities that coaches are looking for,” Hancock said.