Kevin Weiss

Saint Leo men’s tennis ranked No. 1

May 11, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Saint Leo men’s tennis team finished the regular season with a 20-1 overall record, and found themselves ranked as the No. 1 Division II team in the nation in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll. It’s the first time in school history the Lions have ranked tops in the poll.

“What this ranking means for our team is that we have the talent and the work ethic,” head coach Chris Frusci said in a press release. “We know that the final ranking period is what matters the most, but it is nice for us to see our program on the top for the first time ever.”

The Lions recently wrapped up regular season play on April 23, finishing with a 6-0 record in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) to earn a regular season SSC title.

In individual rankings, freshman Alberto Barroso-Campos was the highest ranked player for the Lions at No. 4, while senior Alex Theiler came in at No. 15 nationally. Fellow senior Egor Panyushkin, the most recent winner of the SSC tennis athlete of the week honor, rounded out Lions players ranked in the top-20, coming in at No. 19.

In doubles rankings, Theiler and Barroso-Campos earned themselves the nation’s No. 1 ranking in doubles pairs. The duo of Panyushkin and Jaime ranks No. 20.

Local players, coach receive FACA softball honors

May 11, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Florida Athletic Coaches Association released its 2016 District 15 (Hillsborough County) softball players and coaches of the year. Gaither High senior catcher Elizabeth Mason was named Class 7A Player of the Year. The Florida State University signee batted .585 with four home runs and 28 RBIs this season. Wharton High sophomore Ysabella Dominguez was chosen as the Class 8A Player of the Year, while Wharton softball coach Brittany Ewing was named Class 8A Coach of the Year.

Fallen officers honored at memorial service

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Dozens of citizens, along with well over a hundred Pasco County law enforcement officers, joined together at the Historic Dade City Courthouse to honor fallen officers — both past and present.

Fallen officers, both locally and nationally, were honored during a 90-minute ceremony at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service on April 29.

During the solemn occasion, several speakers — including Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera — discussed the importance of law enforcement, commemorating those that have fallen, and those who presently serve the community.

Lopez-Cantera highlighted the state’s 2015 crime rate dip, saying, “We talk about how great it is to live in Florida and we talk about how many people are moving to our state, but don’t think for one second that we don’t always remember and recognize that we would not have these communities, these businesses moving to Florida if we did not have a 44-year low in our crime rate.

Dade City Police Chief Ray Velboom addresses the crowd at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Historic Courthouse in Dade City. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos) — Dade City Police Chief Ray Velboom addresses the crowd at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Historic Courthouse in Dade City.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)

“We do not forget that these men and woman protect our families, protect our business and even protect those that level meritless criticism against them,” Lopez-Cantera added. “We say, ‘thank you’ to those that have served, currently serve and their families.”

Dade City Police Chief Ray Velboom told the crowd he hopes “some year we could come to these services to remember those that have only lost their lives in the line of duty in the past, and we would have no new names to add to the memorials here or across the country.”

The 35-year veteran of law enforcement pointed out nationwide increases in line-of-duty deaths by gunfire, with 17 incidents thus far in 2016.

“We wonder why this is going on and despite all the many changes we’ve made over the years, we still see the violence and the death,” Velboom said, noting there’s been a national upheaval in policing since the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014.

Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. The shooting prompted protests for weeks in the city, a suburb of St. Louis.

“While it’s been proven the officer acted appropriately, the event cast a shadow over the department, its practices and cultures,” Velboom said, adding “and law enforcement all around the country is being painted with that same broad brush.”

Velboom acknowledged the importance of law enforcement officers to earn the trust and respect of the citizens they serve to prevent issues in the future.

“We must continue to work on building positive relationships with our community and be as transparent as we can,” he explained. “We must work on this every day, with every action.”

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco discussed the cultural significance of the “thin blue line,” a symbol of solidarity for police officers and their families.

More than 100 law enforcement officers and dozens of citizens were present for the memorial service.

“We sometimes hear a few people talk about the thin blue line in a negative manner — where they think the blue line represents a policy where law enforcement officers have a protocol…to protect criminals who wear a badge,” Nocco said.

But Nocco said, “We actually hold the greatest responsibility to hold up the integrity of the badge, especially to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while wearing it,” Nocco said.

Despite recent negativity and pessimism toward law enforcement nationwide, Nocco, Pasco’s sheriff since 2011, said, “our world consists of men and woman, and families who understand there is good and evil in this world and evil must be defeated, no matter how ugly that may look.”

The sheriff went on to say, “Most importantly, our world is made up with true heroes, who are filled with so much bravery and love that they’re willing to give up their earthly body to protect another human being.

“We honor their sacrifices — not just on one day, but every day,” Nocco said.

Pasco County fallen officers

• Lieutenant Charles A. “Bo” Harrison

End of Watch: June 1, 2003

Cause: Gunfire

• Deputy Sheriff John Herbert “Bert” McCabe

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office

End of Watch: June 26, 1948

Cause: Automobile accident

• Deputy Sheriff William Henry O’Berry

End of Watch: Jan. 1, 1926

Cause: Gunfire

Constable Arthur Fleece Crenshaw

End of Watch: Oct. 4, 1922

Cause: Gunfire

Deputy Sheriff Sheldon S. “Shelley” Nicks

End of Watch: May 8, 1909

Cause: Gunfire

Others honored:

• Deputy Sheriff John Charles Mecklenburg
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: July 3, 2011
Cause: Vehicle pursuit

• Trooper James Bradford-Jean Crooks
Florida Highway Patrol
End of Watch: May 19, 1998
Cause: Gunfire

• Federal Prohibition Agent John Van Waters
United States Department of the Treasury – Internal Revenue Service – Prohibition Unit
End of Watch: Oct. 4, 1922
Cause: Gunfire

She’s back in the saddle again

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Christina Glenn is back to training and riding thoroughbreds on a daily basis.

The 18-year-old was sidelined for a few years because of surgery required by a congenital heart condition.

She was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, meaning she had an extra electrical pathway between her heart’s upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles), resulting in episodes of rapid heartbeats (tachycardia).

The rare condition affects about four out of every 100,000 people.

Christina Glenn and her former horse, Longo, leap through a jumping obstacle. Longo has jumped as high as 5 feet and has won several equestrian circuits. (Courtesy of Christina Glenn) — Christina Glenn and her former horse, Longo, leap through a jumping obstacle. Longo has jumped as high as 5 feet and has won several equestrian circuits.
(Courtesy of Christina Glenn)

Now a freshman at Pasco-Hernando State College, Glenn began riding horses at about age 7, but had to stop to have a heart procedure.

“When I was little, I always liked horse movies…and being outdoors,” said Glenn, noting she has an affection for all animals.

“It’s all she wanted to do since she was a little girl,” her mother, Monique said. “She would always say, ‘I want to ride horses, I just want to ride horses.’”

Shortly after she began riding as an adolescent, Glenn’s cardiologist advised her to stop the activity until she had heart surgery. The surgery removed the extra electrical pathway through the use of a catheter-based procedure, otherwise known as ablation.

Heeding her physician’s recommendation, Glenn stopped riding for about five years before being receiving the OK to resume equestrian-related activities.

She hasn’t stopped riding since.

“I like the adrenaline and the thrill,” said Glenn, who trains horses at Showcase Farms in Lutz. “I’m actually the only one in my family that really likes (riding) horses; we’re actually all allergic to horses.”

Shortly after starting back up, Glenn “fell in love” with Longo, a 1,200-pound horse named after Tampa Bay Rays all-star third baseman Evan Longoria.

Formerly mistreated when it was younger, Longo came to Glenn as a very “scared and skittish” horse, making its training a lengthy work-in-progress.

“He was like the horse that no one wanted to ride in the barn,” said Glenn, a 2015 graduate of Sunlake High School. “When we went to our first (equestrian) show, we couldn’t even get a saddle on him. He was rearing up and bucking and would try to run you over.”

To contain the horse, Glenn would work with Longo four days to five days a week, training him as a show hunter and jumper over a period of about four years.

“There’s a lot of therapy with horses,” Monique said. “They worked together and created that bond and strengthened each other, and helped with each other’s weaknesses.

“They both healed each other,” Monique added. “I think she healed his heart and he healed hers, too.”

Glenn developed Longo—who’s show name is ‘Home Run Hitter’— to the point where he was able to surpass 5-foot jumps, and perform well in several equestrian circuits throughout the state, including the 2015 HITS (Horse Shows in the Sun) Horse Show in Ocala, where together they placed first in a class of 60 entries.

“They won a lot of competitions together—a lot of really good competitions together,” Glenn’s mother said.

With Longo aging—he’s approximately 20 years old — and Glenn’s desires to compete at an even higher level, she made the tough decision to sell the aging horse in December to Kaycie Smith, a fellow equestrian.

“This is kind of his retirement job because he’s jumping 2 (feet) to 3 feet now,” Smith said. “He’s not jumping as high now that he’s a little older.”

“It worked out the best way possible,” said Glenn, noting she’s often able visit Longo at the stables in Lutz. “He can still jump, but we don’t want to injure him.”

Glenn’s current project is a 1,400-pound, 5-year-old horse named Zen, whom she bought from an owner in Colorado a few months back.

Zen is still in the beginning stages of his training and development, Glenn said, adding she plans to start competing with the horse this summer.

“He’s very hard to train, and didn’t (initially) know what I was asking him, but these last few weeks, he’s already gotten 50 times better than he’s been,” Glenn explained. “We’ll probably do a few shows this year, get him off the property and get him used to the environment of showing.”

As she continues to work with Zen and to continue her equestrian career, Glenn hopes to one day become a full-time horse trainer.

“I’m thinking about…majoring in Family Counseling and Psychology, and working with children and horses in some kind of a therapeutic way,” she said. “That’d be my dream job.”

As for her heart condition, Glenn said she had a few episodes during her senior year of high school, where she would sometimes get dizzy and “pass out” during intense physical activity.

While noting she’s fine now, Glenn and her family continue to closely monitor her health.

“We’re just keeping an eye on it and (keeping) our fingers crossed,” her mother said.

Published May 4, 2016

Cleaning up Zephyrhills’ neighborhoods

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

When Gail Hamilton was hired to lead the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency about a year ago, she noticed an unsettling trend while patrolling the older, traditional city neighborhoods.

Scattered across several homeowners’ lawns were old appliances, rolled-up carpets, debris and fallen trees.

“I think nobody had done anything in a long time,” Hamilton said, regarding the condition of the historic Zephyrhills neighborhoods.

“The first thing when you start redeveloping an area is you look to clean it up,” she added.

To do so, Hamilton collaborated with several other city departments — Code Enforcement, Public Works, Police and Fire Departments—to create a so-called “Clean Team.”

Here is a map of some of the neighborhoods the ‘Clean Team’ is targeting for its neighborhood cleanup program. The red shaded area is where the crew’s third cleanup was on Feb. 27. They will focus on neighborhoods that fall within the green shade on May 21. (Courtesy of Gail Hamilton) — Here is a map of some of the neighborhoods the ‘Clean Team’ is targeting for its neighborhood cleanup program. The red shaded area is where the crew’s third cleanup was on Feb. 27. They will focus on neighborhoods that fall within the green shade on May 21.
(Courtesy of Gail Hamilton)

The “Clean Team” organizes neighborhood cleanups every other month, pinpointing a different geographical area within the city limits for each event.

The program offers an opportunity for city residents to get rid of unwanted junk, with public works crews and community volunteers lending a helping hand.

“We go in there…and clean up anything people can get out into their alley or curbside, because we don’t go onto private property and pick anything up,” said Shane LeBlanc, Zephyrhills Public Works director. “A lot of people will have roll-off construction dumpsters outside. A lot of people drop stuff off to us.”

“You can get rid of your junk, and you don’t even have to bring it to the site,” Hamilton said. “We have crews that are going up and down the alleyway within the area that we’re cleaning, and if you can just get it to the alley, we’ll pick it up. So for people that don’t have a truck or the means to get it to us, we’re trying to help them as much as we possibly can, so there’s no excuse that you don’t clean up your property.”

The third neighborhood cleanup, on Feb. 27, was labeled as the “most successful” yet, according to Hamilton. The cleanup encompassed the area between North Avenue and Sixth Avenue, covering neighborhoods all the way east to 20th Street.

Approximately 160 cubic yards of mixed debris, 24 televisions, 44 tires and one washing machine were hauled away.

Additionally, 39 residents dropped off their junk to the construction dumpsters at various staging areas set up by the clean team.

When cruising around town, Hamilton notices a sizable difference when she sees neighborhoods that have participated in the cleanup program.

“I think we’re beginning to turn a corner with the neighborhoods understanding what we’re trying to do, and appreciate the ability to bring their trash,” the redevelopment agency director said.

“We’re trying to attack it from each angle so nobody can say, ‘Well, it was too hard to clean up my yard.’”

The cleanups also serve as a warning for residents that may be in violation of the city’s code enforcement. Instead of immediately being issued a citation, residents have the opportunity to get rid of the trash in their yard without being fined, thereby being offered an amnesty of sorts.

Hamilton noted city officials are being as accommodating as possible with the program, saying, “We tell people, ‘this is your opportunity…to clean up your infractions or the problems you have on your property, but if you don’t, you will be cited for it.’ We’re still working on that, and getting through the neighborhoods and making people believe, ‘Yes, there will be consequences if you don’t clean up.’

“It’s the ‘carrot and the stick’ approach,’ Hamilton added. “The city will use the ‘stick’ from code enforcement to say, ‘OK, if you don’t clean it up, we’ll fine you.’”

Residents who receive a citation have 30 days to clean up their property.

The fourth neighborhood cleanup is set for May 21 from 8 a.m. to noon.

It will span from Gall Boulevard to 16th Street, generally encompassing the area between Fifth Avenue and South Avenue.

While the program was initially going to focus on the 520-acre CRA district, officials plan to eventually make their way through the entire city.

“We’re going to expand out,” LeBlanc said. “We’ve got other areas in the city that need attention as well.

“It’s a great service to people that can’t get rid of things,” LeBlanc said.

Published May 4, 2016

Area spring football preview: Pasco County

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Spring football practices are underway for high schools across the state. While the first games of the 2016 season are still several months away, Florida high schools are allowed a maximum of 20 practice sessions between April 25 to May 31, according to FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) guidelines.

Here’s a look at what schools in our coverage area are working with:

Land O’ Lakes High School
Coach: Brian Wachtel (6th year)
2015 Record: 3-7

The Land O' Lakes Gators are looking to avoid a third straight losing season. A more manageable season in 2016 should help. (File photos) — The Land O’ Lakes Gators are looking to avoid a third straight losing season. A more manageable season in 2016 should help.
(File photos)

Last season was rough for the Gators, who failed to win a home game at “The Swamp,” and were shutout by their primary rival in Sunlake High. Playing five consecutive road games didn’t help the cause, either. To relive their magical 8-2 season back in 2013, the Gators must find some consistent play at the quarterback position, whether that is from rising senior Spencer Childress or rising junior Jude May. Though the team loses their top two rushers from last season in Rashawn Kindell (526 yards rushing, 5.7 yards per carry) and Tommy Farmer (417 yards, 7 TDs), the Gators may have a breakout candidate in tailback Quintin Smith, who’ll be a senior. On defense, the Gators return standout safety Justin Kren, a capable tackler (51 solo tackles) and ballhawk (five interceptions).

Pasco County High School
Coach: Tom McHugh (9th year)
2015 Record: 4-6

A difficult schedule and some tough breaks steered the Pirates into a losing 2015 season. Despite starting the year 3-0, Pasco High ran into some tough competition in the middle of the season, losing four straight games to North Marion, Jesuit, Mitchell and Sunlake high schools. A heartbreaking 44-43 overtime loss to Springstead High added fuel to the fire. While the win-loss total doesn’t show it, the Pirates were loaded with talent, including cornerback Jayvauhn Myers (Auburn signee), offensive lineman Jamal Mention (Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College signee) and tight end Nick Bryant (Middle Tennessee signee). Coach McHugh must find a way to replace those productive players, and find a reliable quarterback after Michael Penix Jr. transferred to Tampa Bay Tech.

Sunlake High School
Coach: Bill Browning (9th year)
2015 Record: 8-3

The Sunlake Seahawks are looking to have their seventh straight winning season. To do so, Coach Bill Browning will have to replace several starters on the offensive line.

Another year, another terrific record. That’s been the narrative for the Seahawks over the past six seasons under the leadership of head coach Bill Browning. Since 2010, the team has a combined record of 53-13. Though the team returns several players at the skill positions, one of the big questions leading into the season is how the team will fare on the offensive line, with the departures of Bryce Cooley (Angelo State signee), Joe Russum (Black Hills State signee) and Leo Baez (Bluefield College). If the Seahawks can create cohesion and provide enough protection in the trenches for standout pro-style quarterback Justin Hall (1,729 yards, 17 TDs, 3 INTs), they should be in store for another winning season.

Wesley Chapel High School
Coach: Anthony Egan (1st year)
2015 record: 2-8

The Wildcats have suffered four straight losing seasons, and now it’s up to first-year head coach Anthony Egan — a former River Ridge High assistant — to turn the program around. Luckily for Egan, the cupboard isn’t bare. Signal-caller Jacob Thomas (44 percent completion, 1,825 yards, 17 TDs, 13 INTs) returns as well as pass-catchers Ben Goins (31 receptions, 403 yards) and Devin Singletary (23 receptions, 240 yards). On defense, the Wildcats return their top three tacklers in Marcus Gillott, Ellrie Allen and Christian Austin. To improve their record, the Wildcats must find a way to develop a consistent rushing attack (rushers averaged just 2.6 yards per carry) and they must win close games (the team lost three games by seven points or fewer in 2015.)

Wiregrass Ranch High School
Coach: Mark Kantor (2nd year)
2015 record: 2-8

Coach Mark Kantor embarks on year two of what is perhaps a long-term rebuilding job. Prior to Kantor’s hiring in 2015, the Bulls had three coaches in four years, combining for an 8-32 record during that span. To improve in 2016, the Bulls must find a way to stay healthy (19 season-ending injuries were suffered in 2015) and significantly improve on offense. The team averaged just 10.6 points per game in 2015, and was shutout in half of their games. If the Bulls can’t muster up better production from the quarterback position, it’ll be tough to secure a winning record.

Zephyrhills High School
Coach: Nick Carroll (1st year)
2015 record: 8-3

The Bulldogs notched their fourth straight winning season in 2015, but they’ll enter the 2016 season with a new head coach in Nick Carroll, a former Sunlake High assistant. Carroll will try to duplicate the success of former coach Reggie Roberts, but will have a challenge on his hands. Running back Antwione Sims, the team’s leading offensive playmaker, tore his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) over a month ago, and will likely miss several games in 2016. Additionally, Carroll must find a way to get Bulldogs players to gel, and learn the style of offense and defense he’s implementing. Carroll expects several incoming freshmen and sophomores to make an impact in his first season.

Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Coach: Mike Smith (2nd year, 11-man)
2015 Record: 4-4

The Warriors had a respectable 2015 season, if you consider it was their first season playing 11-man football after they dominated the 6-man ranks for several years. However, the team may be in for a setback in 2016, as they’ll be without their top offensive player, wide receiver Issac Johnson (62 receptions, 1,013 yards), and top defensive player, defensive lineman J’ Won Pickett. Both Johnson (Iowa Western Community College) and Pickett (Minnesota State Community College) are playing football at junior colleges next season. The Warriors will also have to develop a new quarterback with the impending graduation of Matthew Iovine, an accurate passer (67 percent completion, 1,475 yards). Being without last year’s quarterback and top receiver may open the door to additional carries for returning running backs such as John Emmanual, Dwight Thomas and Mykh’ael Chavis.

Published May 4, 2016

Area spring football preview: Hillsborough County

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Spring football practices are underway for Hillsborough County schools in our coverage area. Programs such as Gaither High and Freedom High are hoping for turnarounds, while Steinbrenner and Wharton high schools are trying to build off last season’s successes. Carrollwood Day School fits the bill as a possible team on the rise for 2016.

Carrollwood Day School
Coach: Lane McLaughlin (10th year)
2015 record: 7-4

Carrollwood Day School prep fans should be excited about the potential for an entertaining season, and not just because the private school’s football team will be playing at a brand-new athletic complex in 2016. A majority of Carrollwood’s young playmakers on offense return, including incumbent quarterback Raymond Woodie Jr., leading rusher Yahsin Wooten (740 yards, 8 TDs) and leading receiver Markeis Colvin (20 receptions, 501 yards, 4 TDs.) The Patriots also return their top two tacklers from last season in linebackers Ryan Verscharen and Stephen Walters, who will be seniors. Replacing the production of two sack artists in Zac Watson-Parcells and Corey Shamley will be key to take a step forward in 2016.

Freedom High School
Coach: Floyd Graham (1st year)
2015 record: 3-7

Freedom High School Coach Floyd Graham is likely in for a rebuilding year. (File photo) — Freedom High School Coach Floyd Graham is likely in for a rebuilding year.
(File photo)

It’s likely a rebuilding year for new Freedom coach Floyd Graham, who was officially hired on April 1. The good news for those that closely follow Freedom’s program is it’s something Graham should be able to handle, considering he created football programs from scratch at both Newsome and Steinbrenner high schools. However, Graham will have some uphill battles to climb in year one. Being hired in April doesn’t give him much time to implement his coaching philosophy, and develop a rapport with both players and assistant coaches. Also, the team is losing a plethora of seniors from 2015, including do-it-all playmaker Nasir Core.

Gaither High School
Coach: Jason Stokes (6th year)
2015 record: 4-6

In order to improve in 2016, the Cowboys must make some strides on the offensive side of the ball. The team scored nine points or fewer in six out of their 10 games. Luckily for Coach Stokes, bellcow running back Alex Rodriguez returns. Getting quarterback Gavin Denboer to cut down on his interceptions (10) is a must. The Cowboys defense should be able to hold its own, with the return of linebacker Decalon Brooks, last year’s leading tackler (114). The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Brooks, the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks, is widely viewed as one of the top players in all of Tampa. The consensus three-star recruit already has Division I scholarship offers from Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Illinois and University of South Florida.

Steinbrenner High School
Coach: Andres Perez-Reinaldo (5th year)
2015 record: 9-2

The Warriors finally had a breakout season in 2015 under the tutelage of head coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo. Thanks to a potent offense and an at-times smothering defense, Steinbrenner’s only two setbacks last season were against dynasty prep programs in Manatee (Bradenton) High and Dr. Phillips (Orlando) High. On offense, quarterback Collin Wray (56 percent completion, 1,634 yards) returns, as do two of his favorite targets in Brett Bitter (35 receptions, 600 yards) and Carson Kaleo (34 receptions, 277 yards). Replacing the production of 1,000-yard rusher Jayquese Dantley is something the team will need to address. On defense, Coach Perez-Reinaldo and his staff must find some players that can carry the load, since the Warriors lose three leading tacklers in Tyler Mirabella, Patrick Lukert and Zack Deitz.

Wharton High School
Coach: David Mitchell (12th year)
2015 record: 8-2

The Wildcats enjoyed a successful 2015 campaign, with sizable victories over the likes of King High, Gaither High, Wiregrass Ranch and Leto High. However, it won’t be easy to replicate the scoring outputs (at least 30 points in seven games) from 2015. Coach Mitchell will have to replace quarterback Bryce Martin, leading rusher Miles Williams (1,102 yards, 10 TDs) and leading receiver Devontres Dukes (18 receptions, 360 yards) from last year’s squad. They also lost defensive stalwarts in linebacker Hayden Parks (75 tackles) and defensive lineman Godey Coleus (six sacks). One possible breakout candidate to watch is two-way player Shannon King, who will be a junior. The powerful 5-foot-10, 210-pounder rushed for nearly 400 yards, adding 6.9 yards per carry.

Published May 4, 2016

All-Western Conference Baseball Team

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The 2016 All-Western Conference baseball teams were recently announced, and several players from our coverage area were chosen. The teams are selected by Hillsborough County’s public school head baseball coaches. Only players from public school programs are eligible for the teams.

American Division

Coach of the Year – John Crumbley, Steinbrenner

First Team

Pitcher – Gavin Gillespie, Senior, Gaither

Pitcher – CJ Van Eyk, Junior, Steinbrenner

Utility/Designated Hitter – Ryan Russell, Senior, Steinbrenner

Second Team

First Base – Patrick Morris, Junior., Steinbrenner

Infielder – Chipper Holland, Junior, Gaither

Infielder – Bradley Hession, Senio., Steinbrenner

Outfielder – Jose Cadenas, Junior, Gaither

Outfielder – Kenny Rodriguez, Junior, Gaither

National Division

First Team

Pitcher – Jonathan Baughman, Senior, Wharton

Infielder – Drew Ehrhard, Junior, Wharton

Outfielder – Dalton Smith, Senior, Freedom

Second Team

Catcher – Scotty McGuire, Senior, Wharton

PHSC names most outstanding student-athletes of the year

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) inter-collegiate athletics department hosted its annual Student Athletics Awards Banquet on April 21 at the West Campus in New Port Richey.

Each year, one female and one male PHSC student athlete who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, on the fields and courts, in leadership on campus, and with service in the community are selected by the PHSC coaching staff to receive the Dr. Debra J. Hay Outstanding Student Athlete Award. Hay was a former dean of student services and an advocate for student athletes who encouraged excellence. The 2016 Dr. Debra J. Hay Outstanding Student Athlete Award winners are:

Rachel Gardner PHSC Softball rgb — Rachel Gardner (Courtesy Pasco-Hernando State College)

Female student-athlete winner Rachel Gardner, a sophomore from Gulf High School in New Port Richey. Gardner, a third baseman on the women’s softball team, holds a 3.78 grade point average. She is currently batting .298 this past season. Gardner’s community service has included collecting gifts for All Children’s Outpatient Hospital in New Port Richey and working a softball clinic for West Pasco Little League.

Male student-athlete winner Michael Faul, a sophomore from Bullitt East High School in Mount Washington, Kentucky. Faul, a first baseman on the baseball team, has a 3.26 grade point average. Faul is currently batting .368 with 9 doubles and 28 RBIs. His community service has included volunteering at the Forest Lakes Park cleanup and assisting with the PHSC 5K race each of his two years at the college. He will graduate with his Associate in Arts degree in May.

Former Wharton High football standout drafted by Bucs

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Vernon Hargreaves rgb — Vernon Hargreaves (File photo)

Former Wharton High cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III was drafted No. 11 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28. Hargreaves, a 2013 graduate of Wharton, played three years at the University of Florida before declaring for the NFL draft at the end of last season. The 5-foot-10, 204-pound corner was a three-time All-SEC player at Florida, and two-time All-American. While at Wharton, Hargreaves was a consensus five-star recruit, and widely viewed as one of the nation’s top five players in the 2013 recruiting class.