BY MARK DeCOTIS • FLORIDA TODAY • September 5, 2010

But Valentine, who also finished third among Class 4A girls at the FHSAA state meet last November in 18 minutes and 42 seconds, welcomes the notoriety and the subsequent pressure.

Valentine took time prior to a recent practice to discuss her expectations for this season, one in which she is a favorite to repeat as CCC champion and Melbourne's girls are expected to win their fifth consecutive conference team title. Things get under way with the county's first scoring meet, Saturday's South Brevard Invitational at Palm Bay Regional Park.