The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kevin Weiss

Academy coach steps down

By

Academy at the Lakes varsity girls basketball coach Karim Nohra has stepped down from the position after six seasons. Nohra led the Wildcats to five state final four appearances during his tenure at the Academy.
“For 25 years, I’ve concentrated on coaching, teaching and guiding other people’s children. Now, it’s time that I concentrate on my own,” Nohra said, in a release. Nohra’s record at the school was 143-26; his Academy teams won six district championships, five regional titles, and made two state championship game appearances.

Karim Nohra (File Photo)
Karim Nohra (File Photo)

Nohra’s previous coaching stops include varsity teams at Cambridge Christian School, and Tampa Catholic and Wesley Chapel high schools. He’s amassed a coaching record of 534-159 in 24 seasons. “Academy is extremely grateful for the dedication Karim has given to our girls basketball team and our athletic program the last six years,” Academy athletic director Tom Haslam said. “The success of our girls program, under his guidance, has been a big reason for Academy’s athletic program’s growth as a major power in the FHSAA. Karim is one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with, and he’s laid the foundation for our girls basketball program to flourish in the years to come.”
Last season, the Academy finished 26-4, falling to Florida A&M Developmental Research School 55-40 in the Class 2A state championship game, in Lakeland.

Academy softball coach retires

By

Academy at the Lakes varsity softball coach Jerry English has announced his retirement.

In five seasons as the Wildcats’ softball coach, English compiled a 64-25 record, guiding the team to four district championships, one regional title and a state championship appearance in 2013.

(Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes)
(Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes)

During his 42-year coaching career, English totaled 534 wins, and won 16 district championships and four regional championships. He was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Land O’Lakes High School Hall of Fame in 2016.

“It was an honor for Academy to have a coaching legend like Jerry English for the past five years,” athletic director Tom Haslam said, in a release. “Jerry is loved by all his players and their parents, and during his time here, he impacted many lives and took our softball program to new heights.”

The Academy softball team finished 11-6 this past season. The team returns one of the most productive players in Tampa in rising sophomore Alexis Kilfoyl. As a freshman last season, Kilfoyl batted .562 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. On the mound, the 6-foot-1 right-hander compiled a 1.36 ERA with 163 strikeouts in 103 innings.

Golfing standout

By

Stanger rgbFormer Gaither High School golf standout Jimmy Stanger won the prestigious Southern Amateur golf tournament at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on July 17. Stanger, a rising senior at the University of Virginia, earned a one-stroke victory after shooting a 12-under 276 in 72 holes. Stanger is currently ranked 66 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. While at Gaither, Stanger was selected as the Hillsborough County Player of the Year from 2011 to 2013. He placed third in the Florida Boys Golf 2A state championship in 2012. (File Photo)

Freedom hires new volleyball coach

By

Goderich rgbFreedom High School has hired Damian Goderich to lead its girls volleyball program. Goderich replaces Brittany Castelamare, who went 9-9 last season. Goderich last coached volleyball at South Dade High School in Miami. He is one of three new head varsity coaches at Freedom High in 2016, joining Floyd Graham (football) and Brett Baudendistel (baseball). (Courtesy of Freedom High School)

Aloha!

By

Hawaii rgbMembers of the Sunlake High School varsity cheerleading team participated in the 15th annual Cheer Hawaii USA Summer Invitational at the University of Hawaii in June. About 100 cheerleaders from all 50 states are selected to participate in the prestigious camp each year. From left: Taylor Broderick, Lauren Gobea, Sunlake coach Pennye Garcia, Cheer Hawaii director Alan Akina, Mikiah Peeples, Maddie Frazee and Hailey Parks. (Courtesy of Pennye Garcia)

PHSC student-athletes honored

By

More than a dozen Pasco-Hernando State College student-athletes were awarded National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) honors for their academic achievements. Students were honored in three categories: Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence, 4.00 GPA; Superior Academic Achievement Award, 3.80-3.99 GPA; and Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, 3.60-3.79 GPA. The following 14 PHSC student athletes received the honors:

  • Alexena Arnold—Volleyball II, Exemplary
  • Baylee Dushane—Softball II, Pinnacle
  • Danielle Christian—Volleyball II, Superior
  • Nicholas Donnell—Baseball II, Superior
  • Rachel Gardner—Softball II, Superior
  • Grant McDaniel—Baseball II, Exemplary
  • Thomas Moschner—Baseball II, Exemplary
  • Corey Mumaw—Baseball II, Exemplary
  • Emily Pelletier—Softball II, Exemplary
  • Alexander Reynolds—Baseball II, Exemplary
  • Katherine Shoulta—Softball II, Exemplary
  • Marffee Simbulan—Half Marathon/Cross Country I, Superior
  • Megan Taris—Volleyball II, Exemplary
  • Hannah Tucker—Volleyball II, Superior

Saint Leo sets women’s soccer schedule

By

The Saint Leo University women’s soccer team’s 2016 schedule includes nine home games at Saint Leo Field.

Saint Leo opens the 2016 season with an exhibition against Webber International (Florida) University in Babson Park on Aug. 20. Following the trip to Babson Park, the Lions will travel to face Stetson University on Aug. 28.

The Lions open the home portion of their schedule with five consecutive home games starting on Sept. 1 against Valdosta (Georgia) State University. Conference play begins with a home matchup against Eckerd College on Sept. 14.

“It is a challenging schedule with 14 regional games in total, but we are excited for the upcoming season and competing in the best league in the nation,” head coach Ged O’ Connor said, in a release. “We have a great start with five home games and are looking forward to playing in front of the Lions’ fans.”

The Lions return 17 players to the team that finished 7-8-2 and 3-5 in the Sunshine State Conference last season. The Lions advanced to the postseason making the SSC tournament quarterfinals.

The 2016 Sunshine State Conference tournament will begin on Nov. 2.

Adult softball registration

By

The Pasco County Parks & Recreation Department’s 2016 Fall Adult Softball League registration is ongoing until July 29 at 5 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. To register a team, the cost is $475, plus an additional $25 for a National Softball Association (NSA) sanctioning fee. The price includes an 11-game regular season and a single-elimination tournament. Games begin the first week in August. Coed games are played on Mondays, while men’s games are played on Thursdays. Individual players wishing to join a team can add their names to a free agent pool. For information, email AJ Fernandez at .

Registration open for church soccer league

By

Registration is open until Aug. 15 for the Our Lady of the Rosary 2016 fall soccer league. There will be a boys and girls league, for players ages 4 to 18, as well as an adult league. The season runs from Sept. 10 to Nov. 19. All games will be played on Saturdays at Our Lady of the Rosary Church grounds, at 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. To register, visit OLORSports.org. For information, contact Patrick Poland at (813) 484-8621 or ">.

Open house set for watershed master plan

By

People who want to learn more about the Cypress Creek Watershed Master Plan and drainage projects are invited to an open house on July 26 at 6:30 p.m., at the Lutz Civic Center, 98 First Ave., N.W., in Lutz.

This graphic illustrates the Cypress Creek Watershed, which lies in the northern portion of Hillsborough County and in the southern portion of Pasco County. The 33-square-mile section of the watershed located within Hillsborough County is generally bordered by U.S. 41 and Interstate 75. (Photos courtesy of Hillsborough County)
This graphic illustrates the Cypress Creek Watershed, which lies in the northern portion of Hillsborough County and in the southern portion of Pasco County. The 33-square-mile section of the watershed located within Hillsborough County is generally bordered by U.S. 41 and Interstate 75.
(Photos courtesy of Hillsborough County)

The meeting will include a brief presentation by representatives of the Hillsborough County Public Works department.

There also will be informative displays about the $290,000 master plan study.

Leland Dicus, a section engineering services manager for Hillsborough County, said the final plan will incorporate public input.

“We’re looking for feedback from the residents and the property owners within the watershed,” Dicus said. “What we’re showing in the master plan update will reflect what (residents) have seen as far as flooding in the area.

“We looked back at the flooding complaints we’ve received…and those were some of the areas that we took a look at in the master plan updates,” he said.

During the open house, residents will also be able to provide comments about proposed updates to the watershed’s hydrology and hydraulics (H&H) model, and conceptual recommended flood control projects.

Dicus said the public works department currently has identified seven potential watershed drainage projects to alleviate future flooding problems.

A watershed is considered to be an area of land where water flows across, as it moves toward a common body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or coast.

This is a portion of the Cypress Creek Watershed. A 2011 study by the Hillsborough County Public Works department shows the watershed has a history of flooding problems.
This is a portion of the Cypress Creek Watershed. A 2011 study by the Hillsborough County Public Works department shows the watershed has a history of flooding problems.

The Cypress Creek Watershed area, generally bordered by U.S. 41 and Interstate 75, drains an area of approximately 33 square miles in Hillsborough County. The watershed management plan was completed in 2000 by URS Corporation Southern.

The Cypress Creek Watershed master plan — part of the Countywide Watershed update —ultimately provides Hillsborough County with information on flooding within the area. The plan includes an updated H&H model that is used by the county, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and local developers for project analysis and permitting. It will also identify flood prone areas, and develop conceptual projects and cost estimates to solve flooding issues.

A 2011 study by the county’s public works department showed the watershed has a history of flooding problems, particularly during the 2004 hurricane season.

The study also indicated that residential development in northward rural portions of the watershed is impacting runoff and drainage patterns.

Hillsborough County is updating the master plan for the Cypress Creek Watershed; a final report is expected later this year.
Hillsborough County is updating the master plan for the Cypress Creek Watershed; a final report is expected later this year.

Dicus said information from the study has been used to calibrate an updated watershed model for the master plan.

“We compare the level of flooding to the model with what our standard is for street flooding, and that identifies the areas that don’t meet the county standards,” Dicus said. “We update these models on a routine basis, especially in areas where there’s development occurring, so we can ensure that the model currently reflects the land use and how the stormwater system works.”

The watershed master plan process began in late 2013; a final report with recommended flood relief projects is expected to be complete later this year.

This project is being funded through the Stormwater Fee Capital Improvement Program; the Southwest Florida Water Management District is cooperatively funding the project at 50 percent.

Questions about the meeting may be directed to the county’s Citizen Engagement office at (813) 272-5275.

Published July 20, 2016