Land O’ Lakes High swimmer Jabari Ramsey is now a two-time state champion after winning the 100 breaststroke (56.86) at the Class 3A FHSAA State Championships on Nov. 12. Ramsey, a junior, bested his 2015 state champion time of 57.07. Ramsey finished fifth at states as a freshman two years ago.
Also noteworthy: Wesley Chapel’s Abbey Duncan was second in both the 100 fly (55.31) and the 100 back (56.98) at the state championships. Duncan, a senior, will swim for Ohio University next season.
Sunlake quarterback sets several school marks
Sunlake High quarterback Justin Hall set several school passing records over the course of his senior season in 2016.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound pocket passer set marks in the following categories:
- Season passing yards (1,945)
- Career passing yards (3,775)
- Completions (222)
- Career TD passes (33)
- Passing yards in a game (317)
- Touchdown passes in a game (4)
- Completions in a game (18)
PHSC women’s XC places 23rd at nationals
The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) women’s cross country finished 23rd at the National Junior College Athletic Association DI 5K National Championships on Nov. 12, in El Dorado, Kansas. Pasco-Hernando finished ahead of other Florida College System Activities Association teams, including South Florida State (30th) and Tallahassee Community College (33rd). Pasco-Hernando was paced by freshman Kylyn Burbine (20:17), Charlene Sanchez (21:03), Cynthia Negron (21:29), Annaliese Besaw (21:38), Morgan Mattera (22:07) and Marffee Simbulan (23:54). Meanwhile, longtime PHSC women’s coach Jacki Wachtel was named the NJCAA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
Fundraiser set for local teacher battling ALS
Students and staff at Steinbrenner High School have banded together to help raise money for one of their own.
Mike Leist, a history teacher at Steinbrenner, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS, last spring. His wife, Liz, is a math teacher at Steinbrenner. Their three daughters also attend the school.
The condition, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the nervous system. It weakens the muscles and reduces functionality.
(Courtesy of Steinbrenner High School)
Slightly more than 6,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year, according to the ALS Association. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from time of diagnosis, the association reports.
In an effort to aid Leist’s family and treatment, Steinbrenner High has organized a kickball game fundraiser, “Kick it for Leist.”
The event, set for Nov. 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., will pit 20 students and 20 teachers against one another in a friendly game of kickball, at the school’s football stadium, 5575 West Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz.
Optional donations will be collected at the door, and various clubs will be selling food and drinks to the entire student body. All proceeds raised will benefit Leist and his immediate family.
The event was the brainchild of Beverley Jarrett, an Advanced Placement psychology and social studies teacher, who works in the same department as Leist.
“It hit me really hard when Mike told me last spring,” Jarrett said, adding, “it dawned on me one day, ‘Why don’t we have an event?’
“I thought a kickball game would be funny between students and teachers,” Jarrett said.
There was immediate interest, from students and teachers.
“Faculty members were fighting, trying to get on the team,” she said. “When the word got out that we were having a faculty team, they came out of the woodwork.”
Meanwhile, students playing in the game were voted on by their peers, and represent each of the school’s four grade levels.
“The kids were so excited about trying to be on this team,” Jarrett said.
Jarrett noted both students and faculty have consistently rallied around the event, even purchasing “Kick it for Leist” T-shirts.
Nearly 500 shirts have been purchased, she said. Monies used to purchase the shirts also go into the fundraiser account.
“It’s been a whole Steinbrenner effort,” Jarrett said. “The faculty all wore the shirts one day last week, just to get the kids talking about ‘Kick it for Leist.’ The administrators were wearing them, and they never wear T-shirts.”
School officials describe Leist as a teacher who “carries a happy and positive energy with him every day.”
“He’s a formerly very athletic, active man,” Jarrett said.
Yet, she acknowledged that her colleague’s voice has gotten worse “almost by the week” due to ALS.
“His speech — that’s what being affected the most,” she said.
Jarrett, who has had family members affected by the disease, said Leist originally requested all proceeds to be donated to the ALS Association.
But, she persuaded him to allow the effort to benefit his family.
“It’s a tricky, tricky horrible disease,” Jarrett said. “There are so many costs that nobody thinks about.”
For any additional information, donations, or questions regarding the event, contact Steinbrenner High School at (813) 792-5131.
Published November 16, 2016
Veterans receive warm recognition at ceremony
Veterans were recognized in a special way at the Veterans Day ceremony at the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club in San Antonio on Nov. 11.
More than a dozen surviving World War II veterans were recognized and celebrated at the ceremony.
“Veterans Day is something we don’t want to forget,” said John Benvengo, the ceremony’s organizer.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)
The event featured a number of speakers, including Brig. Gen. Sean Jenkins, who’s stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
Speaking to an audience of more than 100 invited guests, Jenkins highlighted the importance of continually honoring “those who sacrifice their own lives for our country.”
He noted: “We must not forget the actions of those that have served. Their commitment to duty has made our nation safer in the world of new dangers. Their actions have also upheld the ideals of America’s founding.”
It’s equally imperative, Jenkins said, to honor the families and caregivers of veterans.
“Without them, there would be fewer veterans walking amongst us today,” Jenkins said, describing veterans as “the unknown heroes walking among us.”
Veterans serve as a symbol for “courage, decency and hope,” he added.
Jenkins also pointed to the importance of ensuring the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) “takes care of those that have served.”
“We’re losing too many heroes,” he said, “Not just because of age, but because of the loss of hope.”
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, another guest speaker, said his No. 1 priority is to assist veterans.
He criticized the VA, characterizing it as “confusing bureaucracy” that has a “general lack of communication and transparency.
“I believe this agency is in some serious need of culture change,” said Bilirakis, who serves as vice chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
He continued: “Our veterans have done their duty and kept their promise to protect our nation. It is now up to us to fulfill our promise to them and remain committed to honoring their service.”
Within the past three years, Bilirakis has introduced two pieces of legislation (COVER Act, PROMISE Act) to help veterans get better access to primary medical care and to address the prevalence of mental health issues amongst veterans. Both have since become laws.
“There is much more work to be done. Our congress must come together on these issues in a bipartisan fashion,” he said.
Bilirakis noted the next step in helping veterans is offering supplementary assistance through additional workforce, housing and education programs.
Said Bilirakis: “The military spends six to 12 months preparing soldiers for their assignments, and yet, we only spend three to five days to help them reintegrate into civilian life. That’s unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, the congressman commended veterans for their “altruism and patriotism.
“They’re very, very special people,” he said. “They represent the best of this great country.”
He added: “We would not be the nation we are today without those who served.”
The ceremony also featured comments from State Rep. Danny Burgess, R-San Antonio.
Burgess, who’s also a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Judge Advocate, said veterans “exemplify what service is all about.”
The state representative added that seeing veterans inspired him to join the military: “They are the reason that I decided to wear the uniform and serve.”
Published November 16, 2016
Pasco all-star football game on tap for Dec. 8
The rosters have been set.
The coaches are named.
Now, event organizers are looking to build off the success of last year’s inaugural Pasco County all-star football game.
The 2016 Pasco County East-West Classic is slated for Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., at Sunlake Field, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
(Courtesy of Pasco Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
A total of 80 players — all seniors— representing each of Pasco’s 15 high schools were selected in a “draft day” format last month.
Players on the East team will represent Land O’ Lakes, Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Pasco, Bishop McLaughlin and Zephyrhills Christian Academy.
Players on the West team will represent River Ridge, Ridgewood, Mitchell, Anclote, Hudson, Fivay, Gulf and Sunlake.
The game, organized by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), had a strong showing in its first year, with nearly 2,000 fans in attendance.
“Last year, being the first time, we didn’t know what to expect,” said Bob Durham, FCA area director. “It was very exciting, and all the events went well.”
The game went so well, in fact, the Pasco County school district has asked the FCA to organize all-star showcase games for other sports, such as baseball, basketball and soccer.
First up: a Pasco County all-star baseball game in May 2017.
“They want us to do a lot of different sports, and we’re honored by the offer,” Durham said. “We just said to them we’re happy to do it…and let’s just take our time and do one sport at a time.”
The idea for a countywide all-star football game was spearheaded by Durham, upon the suggestion of Pasco Area FCA board of directors, who pointed to the success of long-established all-star games in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
Durham said high school football coaches in Pasco tried to create an all-star showcase for more than a decade, but plans never materialized, due to constant personnel changes countywide.
For various reasons, it never was executed, he said.
The game, Durham said, gives high school seniors one last chance to perform in front of college recruiters, many of whom attend the game from all across the southeast region.
“A lot of these guys are looking at Division II, or Division III schools. Some have Division I potential, but most are DII or DIII,” Durham explained. “Their season’s over, their playoffs are done, and they get one more game to showcase themselves.”
Wiregrass Ranch head coach Mark Kantor said the game is especially important for players on teams that didn’t advance to the playoffs.
“It gives kids the opportunity for another game to be put on their highlight reel,” Kantor said. “In a setting like this with other good players, it’s always good for them.”
Zephyrhills head coach Nick Carroll said the annual all-star game is “a very good thing” for Pasco County.
“We’ve started a tradition,” Carroll said. “It exposes Pasco County and the best play in it, so…we’re able to show the talent we do have, at different positions.”
Carroll added: “Hopefully we got some recruiters in town…and playing against other top talent throughout the county, it will hopefully shoot (players) up the recruiting boards for colleges.”
Meanwhile, Durham said Sunlake Field might possibly be the permanent home for future Pasco all-star football games.
“It’s such an ideal location in the middle of the county,” he said. “We’ll talk about it, and I’ll just open it up to the coaches, and have them decide it.”
Tickets for the game are $10. For information, visit PascoAllStarGame.com.
East team:
Bishop McLaughlin
Marc Herraera
Joe Mastrino
Louis Valentine
Chris Cigarran
Gilbert Estein
Land O’ Lakes
Erick Marcel
Brayden Lyman
Justin Kren
Dylan Hohenthaner
Spencer Childress
Jared Granruth
Pasco High
Aaron Leslie
Nate Hawkins
Corey Mills
Niko Mirrop
Wesley Chapel
Jacob Thomas
Christian Austin
Donovan Willingham
Ellrie Allen
Kyle Brown
Devon Singletary
Marcus Gillot
Wiregrass Ranch
Ryan Scamardo
Jason Winston
Aaron Beardsley
Chris Faddoul
Matt Welsh
Dylan Bryan
Ramon Rodriguez
Zephyrhills Christian
Mykh’ael Chavis
Hunter Barber
John Emmanuel
P.J. Seekens
Dominic Moss
Kareem Mehrab
Zephyrhills High
Jarrett Black
Kameron Howard
Brett Lemay
Antwoine Sims
Darius Causey
West team:
Anclote
Michael Cannion
Carlos Yglesia
Kyndal James
Braxton Johnson
Taino Arocho
Fivay
Cole Coyne
Brandon Young
Gulf
Kahlil Masson
Issaiah Groen
Bryce Hollenbeck
Hudson
Justin Griffin
Cyler Doran
Jaryd Johnson
Remynte Turner
Ray Pennetti
Spencer Shoun
Corey French
Mitchell
Mason Castricone
Larry Dalla Betta
Jermane Cross
Anthony Moe
Michael Doyle
Matthew Hegwood
Ridgewood
Javon Wright
Chris Melton
Michael Bautista
Jacob Marsh
Darrin Bright
River Ridge
Trevor Hawks
Dylan Spaeth
Dalton O’Toole
Gabe Angeles
Alex Kostogiannes
Sunlake
Chris Galdos
Ryan Clark
Tyler Peretti
Justin Hall
Chris Williams
Israel Aquino
James Perez
East coaches:
Mike Frump (Land O’ Lakes)
Tony Egan (Wesley Chapel)
Nick Carroll (Zephyrhills High)
Tom McHugh (Pasco High)
Josh Ballinger (Zephyrhills Christian Academy)
Mark Kantor (Wiregrass Ranch)
Tico Hernandez (Bishop McLaughlin)
West coaches:
Matt Kingsley (Anclote)
Justin Fenton (Mitchell)
Gary Allen (River Ridge)
Jay Fulmer (Ridgewood)
John Krupp (Gulf)
Matt Smith (Sunlake)
Matt Durchik (Fivay)
Rob Mahler (Hudson)
Published November 16, 2016
Wharton track standout signs with UMass
Wharton High’s Bryanna Rivers, a senior middle distance runner, has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to run both cross country and track for the University of Massachusetts. Rivers holds the school record in the 800 meters (2:11.87) and was part of the 4×800-meter relay and 4×400-meter relay teams that also set school records (9:22.04 and 3:38.23, respectively). Rivers has advanced to the state meet in track every year since joining the team as a freshman.
Wharton boys XC finishes ninth at state meet
(Courtesy of Kyle LoJacono)
The Wharton High School boys’ cross country team finished ninth in the 2016 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A Cross Country Finals on Nov. 5, at Appalachee Regional Park, in Tallahassee. The ninth-place finish was the highest in program history; the previous best was 11th place in 2008. Additionally, Wharton was the second-highest placing team from Hillsborough County (Newsome High finished in third place). Wharton High sophomore Tre Rivers finished ninth overall in 16:16, the highest placement for any Hillsborough County boy in any of the four classifications in the 2016 state meet.
Also noteworthy: Wharton girls runner Rania Samhouri, a senior, made the state meet as an individual, finishing ninth overall in 18:49.
Connerton Challenge Champs!
From left: Evan Evans (10K), Isabella Pawloski (5K), Jennifer Glickman (10K) and Shannon Thompson (5K) each took first place in their respective divisions at The Connerton Challenge 5K and 10K race, on Nov. 5 in Land O’ Lakes. The race benefitted Operation Helping Hand, an organization which assists severely injured and medically retired service members.
Saint Leo qualifies for nationals
(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)
The Saint Leo men’s cross country team has advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships after a second-place finish at the Division II South Region Championships on Nov. 5. At regionals, the Lions placed four runners among the top 20 finishers in the 10K race: freshman Ronald Cheserek (second, 31:43.69); senior Rafal Matuszczak (sixth, 31:55.71); senior Niclas Bez (17th, 32:46.91); and junior Anthony Deleva (18th, 32:54.21).
“We have a few adjustments we need to make before nationals, and I think that will put us in a good spot to do some big things,” said Lions head coach Kent Reiber. The national championships will be on Nov. 19, at The Abbey Course at Saint Leo.
