The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

Local softball player headed to World Series

By

Softball player Shannon Saile, who played in the Land O’ Lakes Little League, will take part in the inaugural Athletics Unlimited (AU) Pro Games on Aug. 9 in Greenville, North Carolina, the home of the Little League Softball World Series. 

The AU Pro Games is an addition to the tournament, which will be held from Aug. 6 to Aug. 13. All 60 professional softball players on the 2023 Athletes Unlimited Championship Season roster will play a doubleheader at East Carolina University’s softball stadium on Aug. 9 at 4:30 p.m., ET. Both games will be televised live on ESPN2.

Athletes Unlimited players also will take time on Aug. 8 to visit Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park to interact with all 12 participating teams from around the world, providing each of them with a unique and memorable experience exclusive to this event. All players and coaches competing, as well as their families, will receive complimentary tickets to the AU Pro Games event on Aug. 9, and have additional opportunities to interact with the world’s best softball players before and after the games.

For more information on the AU Pro Games, visit tinyurl.com/3z3dtvjp.

Add Ichetucknee Springs to your bucket list

By

One could spend all day comparing Florida state parks, especially the ones that include springs, and there several in this state.

But why bother? Why not spend that day lazily going down a spring-fed river or paddling up to the swimmable spring head?

One could do just that at Ichetucknee Springs State Park.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park, in Fort White, is a 6-mile, spring-fed lazy river with glistening turquoise waters. It’s a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, with its tubing, swimming, paddle-boarding and all-around relaxing experiences. The waterways, at 72 degrees, are open year-round and take visitors down through shaded hammocks and forests of cypress, maple, oak and pine. (Mike Camunas)

Like many of its fellow sister springs — Weeki Wachee, Rainbow, Rock Springs Run — Ichetucknee is a hidden, turquoise-watered, 72-degrees year-round paradise, and it’s found in the most unlikely of places.

It offers a day’s worth of paddling up its 6 miles, or plenty of time to head down on a tube, similar to the other spring parks mentioned above.

And, like its sister springs, Ichetucknee is definitely Worth The Trip.

Phosphate state
As is true for many sites and natural land formations in Florida, this one involves phosphate.

More than 70 years ago, the land now occupied by Ichetucknee Springs State Park  was owned by the Loncala Phosphate Company. During the 1950s and ’60s, people discovered tubing, which brought college students from Gainesville to the river and springs as a summer ritual.

In 1970, Loncala sold the property to Florida for the protection of the spring-run ecosystem (and also to the tune of $1.85 million).

After it was cleaned and facilities were built, the river and springs were declared a National Natural Landmark in 1972.

The Blue Hole, found just below the head spring of Ichetucknee Springs in Fort White, is the go-to and very popular spot for relaxing and swimming at the top of this 6-mile lazy river.

The park contains hardwood hammock and limestone outcrops. Like many rivers in this part of North Florida, the Ichetucknee is fed by natural springs that boil up from the aquifer.

And, that is some of the most gorgeous water visitors will ever see.

Its blue-green currents will zip tubers and paddlers down the river.

The Ichetucknee Springs River, unlike the Weeki Wachee Springs River, has considerably less or no places to wade around. 

Weeki Wachee, however, recently put an end to visitors beaching, grounding, mooring or anchoring their watercraft on the shores to prevent deterioration.

At Ichetucknee, expect to see plenty of wildlife, from otters and manatees and turtles, and maybe even an alligator or two.

Of course, you’ll also see typical birds, such as herons and ducks.

And, in the water there will be crayfish, bream, bluegill, largemouth bass, mullet, catfish and several types of minnows.

With over 6 miles of this lazy river fed by nine Florida springs, Ichetucknee Springs boasts not just the perfect-speed current and 72-degree water year round, but shaded hammocks and forests of cypress, maple, oak and pine.

Blue by you
Ichetucknee Springs State Park offers tubing, paddle-boarding, kayak, snorkeling and scuba diving, so it’s not reinventing the wheel in terms of adventurous activities.

But it offers different views and landscapes than its fellow parks.

For starters, the river is deeper and stronger than Weeki Wachee and Rainbow River, and its shores are larger and taller.

Also, just below the unreachable spring head at Ichetucknee Springs, there’s the Blue Hole, or swimming area, that can be enjoyed by all. It’s roughly the size of a very large pool, but about as deep as an Olympic-style pool. It’s a popular spot for snorkeling.

Ichetucknee Springs in Fort White is the perfect destination for tubing and exploring on a kayak or paddleboard, and even features a few high shores of bedrock.

Near the swimming hole are picnic tables and the Riverside Grill where lunch and snacks are served. Additionally, there are nearly 2 miles of boardwalks and trails surrounding the woodlands in this area.

Visitors have options, in terms of exploring the nine-springs-fed river.

Everyone checks in at the general store/visitor center, and visitors can put in at Dampier’s Landing, which is just a five-minute walk. Here, boarders can go out and paddle up river, while tubers can do a quick float down to the South Takeout.

Both paddlers and tubers can take a tram to the Midpoint Launch. The North End Launch, which is close to the aforementioned Blue Hole and Riverside Grill, is no longer open due to environmental concerns.

Still, visitors can take a nice float down the river, to the end of the state park.

Always ‘itchy’
In all, Ichetucknee Springs is worth the trip for the same reasons nearly every other springs in Florida is worth the trip: it’s a free-flowing, watery oasis that should be on the must-see list of every weekend warrior, paddle-boarder, influencer and adventure seeker.

It checks every box that one would want out of a day on the fresh water — from its crystal clear water, to its natural surroundings, wildlife and swimming.

And, like many state park destinations, right here in Florida, nothing else quite compares.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Where: 12087 Southwest U.S. 27, in Fort White
Details: A 2,241-acre Florida State Park and National Natural Landmark featuring a scenic, 6-mile, nine-springs-fed river. The attraction lets visitors experience the natural beauty of its blue-green waterways year-round. The gentle current of a bright turquoise river guides swimmers, tubers and paddle-boarders through shaded hammocks and forests of cypress, maple, oak and pine. Pets are permitted inside Ichetucknee State Park, however, they are not permitted on or near the water. Fishing and camping are not allowed in the park.
Info: Visit Ichetuckneesprings.com, or call 386-497-1500.

Revised August 04, 2023

Dampier’s Landing is one of four launch points at Ichetucknee Springs in Fort White. This one is perfect for those looking to paddle upstream to the Blue Hole and then to let the lazy river bring them back for a relaxing ride.
Ichetucknee Springs in Fort White also includes several boardwalks and trails that hug the 6-mile river and the surrounding woodlands.
Lunch and snacks are served at the Riverside Grill near the Blue Hole at the top of Ichetucknee Springs.
Several smaller tributaries feed into Ichetucknee Springs, in Fort White, coming from natural springs that boil up from the aquifer below.

C.R. 54 improvements nearly complete

By

Sometimes plans change.

While the project is nearly complete, the finished product of the County Road 54 Phase II will be different than originally planned, Pasco County officials told The Laker/Lutz News.

County Road 54 Phase II in Zephyrhills will consist of a two-lane roadway section east of U.S. 301 and west of 12th Street/Wire Road, with the addition of left and right turn lanes on County Road 54 at the intersection of 12th Street/Wire Road — and a left-turn lane on Wire Road. (Mike Camunas)

Originally, County Road 54 was expected to have a four-lane roadway section, east of U.S. 301 and west of 12th Street/Wire Road. Additionally, it would be a two-lane roadway section between 12th Street/Wire Road and 23rd Street. 

The section and plans, which are adjacent to Zephyrhills High, were per the Pasco County Commission’s approved route study. 

After 60% completion design phase, and during the utility coordination stage, it was discovered there would be substantial right of way costs resulting from impacts to a new Duke Energy transmission easement. Those costs would have occurred in the part of the project where the four-lane roadway section had been proposed, the county added. 

Relocating the Duke Energy facilities would cause significant impacts to the high school.

Design alternatives were provided, and the evaluation of alternatives involved five inter-agency meetings with staff from Pasco County, the City of Zephyrhills and the Pasco County School District. Parties involved agreed to a project redesign.

The current project consists of a two-lane roadway section east of U.S. 301 and west of 12th Street/Wire Road, with the addition of left and right turn lanes on County Road 54 at the intersection of 12th Street/Wire Road — and a left turn lane on Wire Road.

The remainder of the project’s design is unchanged from the original design, according to county officials.

Right and left turn lanes are proposed on County Road 54 at the intersections of 20th Street and 23rd Street, while a new traffic signal is proposed at 23rd Street.

Published August 02, 2023

A blast from the fast(est)

By

Seth Williamson does everything fast.

Run. Walk. Talk. Even learn.

These are some of the reasons this 7-year-old has earned the title of “Fastest Kid in the Nation.”

That, and he’s also the back-to-back winner of the 100m dash at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Track and Field National Championships.

Wesley Chapel 7-year-old Seth Williamson sprints down the track at Cypress Creek High during practice for Speed Starz Track/Running Club. (Mike Camunas)

“It’s pretty cool being (the Fastest Kid in the Nation),” the tiny Wesley Chapel speedster said, humbly. “I do like telling people that, sometimes, but I like running fast — faster than my friends, but I don’t like beating them. I want to run with my friends sometimes.”

Williamson held onto his 100-meter dash, and Fastest Kid in the Nation, title when, on July 10 at the AAU Primary National Championships at Doctor Phillips High in Orlando, he left his competition in the dust with a 15-second finish time. He would also finish fifth in the 200 meter (31.93) and second in the long jump (3.59 meters).

“It was a lot of fun to compete (in the championships) again,” Williamson said. “It was fun to go over there and go all over (the place) to run track. I was really happy to win again.”

Williamson, for nearly two years now, trains with Speed Starz Track/Running Club — a Wesley Chapel-based program that teaches athletes of all ages the basic fundamentals of running. The club uses professional and advanced running techniques and drills. BeBe Roberts leads the club that has worked with numerous elementary, middle and high school athletes in Pasco County who excel in track and field and other sports.

However, when Williamson showed up on his first day, Roberts — a former track star himself — saw the raw talent and potential.

“When he came to me at 6, during the practice sessions, I put him with the 8- and 9-year-olds, and he was beating some of them! This kid is only 6 and on the track for nearly the first time and beating kids that are much older than him, so I knew this kid is going to be something serious in track and field.

“He is way ahead of the game right now.”

Williamson is ahead of the game — and a lot of other runners.

Roberts calls this little blur  — whose nickname is The Flash, just like the comic book superhero — a quick study that’s on a whole other level.

“He picks up on everything real fast,” Roberts added. “I mean, some of the high school kids can’t pick up this stuff that fast, but not Seth. I tell him one thing, and he picks it up like that, and we’re talking about some advanced stuff.

Seven-year-old Seth Williamson, of Wesley Chapel, is the ‘Fastest Kid in the Nation,’ a title he earned by winning multiple championships last and this year during AAU Track and Field National Championships. On July 10 and July 11, Williamson defended his 100-meter dash title, this time finishing his run in 15 seconds. He also came in fifth in the 200 meter and second in the long jump in the 7-year-old division.

“At his age, he’s on a Level 10 when other kids his age are at a Level 1. … It makes coaching him easy because even at the track meet (during the National Championships), I told him, at the 65-meter mark, ‘Stay high (with your head), keep your posture up, and he did — you can see it in the video, and he won. 

“It (looks) like a professional (running).”

Williamson says he loves working with coach Roberts at Speed Starz.

“Coach BeBe is a good coach,” he said. “I like him a lot. He’s taught me how to have a fast start and how to have good form.”

Williamson showed his ability to learn quickly when he took on the long jump. Roberts said the young athlete didn’t practice the long jump much since “he’s a straight sprinter,” but still went out and placed well.

“He just went out there and got second in the nation,” Roberts said. “I mean, we get to the meet and then all of sudden, people are pointing him out and saying, ‘That kid right there — he’s the one to beat,’ and he was only fifth in the preliminaries (for the 100 meter). Everyone thought they had a shot on him, but then he surprised everyone.

“He’s a remarkable athlete — a fast learner and fast on the track, which is a great combo.”

Roberts said he’s “never seen someone this talented, this smart at (track), not at (Seth’s) age,” but also feels privileged to coach such a talented athlete at such a young age.

For Williamson, he’ll try to prove he’s not a flash in the pan — as fast as he can.

“Track is more easy (of a sport), since you can’t get hurt as often or as easily,” he said. “I like football and soccer, too, but I don’t play them. I just want to be on the track.

“I run everywhere, pretty fast, and I like running a lot.”

Speed Starz Track/Running Club
Details: Speed Starz Track/Running Club is a Christian-based track club in Wesley Chapel. It is designed to teach athletes of all ages the basic fundamentals of running, by using professional and advanced running techniques and drills. To see highlights of Seth Williamson accomplishments, visit his official Instagram account at @seth2flash.
Info: SpeedStarz.webflow.io/about

Published August 02, 2023

Local team takes regional tourney

By

(Courtesy of Brad Savage)

The Lutz Bananas, a 12U team based out of the Lutz Cal Ripken League, off Lutz Lake Fern Road, took first place in the Southeast Regional Tournament in Virginia, held July 18 to July 23.

The Bananas, which are named after the Savannah Bananas, the fun, social media phenomenon exhibition baseball team, now moves on to the Cal Ripken 70/Majors World Series in Branson, Missouri, scheduled from Aug. 3 to Aug. 12.

The Bananas represented Florida in the tournament where they faced teams from North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. They went 5-1, outscoring opponents 44-24.

The Bananas won back-to-back one-run games to reach the final where they topped Williamsburg 8-5 for the title.

The Lutz Bananas are representing the Southeast Region and will play against Arkansas, Hawaii, Midwest Plains, New Jersey and Idaho in their first 5 games in the World Series.

Team members include Caedon Allegra, Calvin DeMasi, Aaron Hanstedt, Bryce Hanstedt, Kamden McCoy, Patrick Sandomenico, Braden Savage, Evan Stevens, Elijah Sutton, Cody VanOpdorp and Dominic Verpault and coached by Ryan Hanstedt, Brad Savage and Pete DeMasi.

PHSC adds team

By

Pasco-Hernando State College is adding a women’s flag football team to its intercollegiate sports offerings beginning in August. The program was initiated through a $10,000 grant provided by the NJCAA Foundation, NFL Flag and Reigning Champs Experiences. Madison Burr is slated to lead the team as head coach in the upcoming fall season that will focus on raising awareness, player engagement and talent building, scrimmages and practices. An eight to 10 game regular season schedule is being built for next spring with matches and tournaments in and out of state.

Woodard working hard in her hometown

By

Normita Woodard was out walking with her grandbaby.

She was in the heart of downtown Dade City, when she came to the corner of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Eighth Street.

It was there she decided to run for city commission.

“That was a game-changer,” Woodard, the 53-year-old Dade City native and now Group 5 representative on the city commission. “Being on that road, I thought, ‘How did Dr. King, how did Rosa Parks — how did those people stand up and get the change they wanted?’

“I served my country (in the U.S. Army), so why not come back and serve the constituents of my hometown? … It’s important our (African American) voice is at the table, that we have the opportunity to make sure equality is done because systemic racism is there — people might not even realize it’s being done, but it’s our job to bring those disparities to the forefront.

Normita Woodard, a native of Dade City, sits in front of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse. She also sits on the Dade City Commission, serving in the Group 5 seat since her election in 2020. She was unanimously selected in May, as mayor pro tem, a position she considers to require listening to and answering to all Dade City residents. (Mike Camunas)

“I’m really happy to be able to serve and ensure we have equality for all.”

Home is where the heart is
Woodard wanted to see the world.

She joined the Army after graduating from Pasco High in 1988 and had two tours in Iraq and another in Afghanistan during the first Gulf War.

“When the bombs started falling, I knew I wasn’t in training camp anymore,” she recalled.

During her 10 years in the military, she rose to the rank of Sgt. First Class. She finished her service at MacDill Air Force Base as a decorated veteran — earning the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

But she felt pulled back to Dade City.

She became a principal’s secretary at Lacoochee Elementary and also worked part-time at Steph’s Southern Soul Restaurant, owned by her godmother.

“I thought I’d have a job where I didn’t have any responsibility,” Woodard said. “I quickly found out that that’s not me.

“Being commissioner, you need to be available to go around the city, and I’m in a position now where if I get an email or call, I have that flexibility.

“One of the reasons I came back to Dade City was just being able to walk down the street and say ‘Hey!’ to whoever and actually know that person,” she said. “I don’t want us to be a town where we just pull into the driveway and go into the house and have no interaction with the neighbors.”

When Woodard decided to run for commissioner on that game-changing walk, she knew she’d also be filling a big seat. Eunice Penix, who had been commissioner since 1993, opted not to seek reelection.

Woodard knew Penix well. Penix also is a Dade City native, and both women attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

In a tight race that tallied 772 votes, Woodard edged out Christopher King, founder of The Gentlemen’s Course, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on educating youth in proper etiquette and anti-human trafficking efforts, 405-367.

“I believe her passion and influence is drawn from having grown up in Dade City,” fellow commissioner and Dade City Mayor Jim Shive said. “She is passionate about bringing their voice to the table.

“She always enters every task with enthusiasm, a big smile and says, ‘We got this!’”

An unexpected role
In April, City Commissioner Knute Nathe resigned from his Group 4 seat to serve as a Pasco County judge and was quickly replaced by newly appointed Lisa Simon.

However, Nathe also was the mayor pro tem.

Shive, without hesitation, nominated Woodard at the commission’s meeting in May. Commission colleagues backed the motion unanimously.

Normita Woodard, left, and Dade City Mayor Jim Shive attended a Juneteenth Celebration at Lewis Abraham Boys & Girls Club in Lacoochee.

“I believe Commissioner Woodard understands her role and the importance of diversity and equality in representing the causes of African Americans, as well as all who reside within the jurisdiction of Dade City, no matter their ethnicity,” Shive said. “I believe she is an inspiration to the African American community and the city, as a whole.

“She is an inspiration to many young girls and women within the community in her role as an elected official and Mayor Pro Tem.”

Woodard said becoming Mayor Pro Tem was never on her radar, nor was becoming any sort of government official. She was heavily involved in activities during high school, but never part of student government.

“I became very versed at public speaking through FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and that something fostered deep down I didn’t even know I had,” she said.

Now, her focus is on developing Dade City the right way.

She opposes more residential development, but welcomes more commercial growth. She points out that when Dade City lost Lykes Pasco, the beverage plant, in 2004, the city lost a lot of jobs and its economy suffered.

She has confidence in her hometown.

“Dade City is resilient. When that (the loss of a major business) happens in other places, you see that place die off. Dade City didn’t do that,” Woodard said. “It’s important to me that we preserve the proud heritage in Dade City. I don’t want it to look like Tampa or Orlando.

“Am I against development and growth? Absolutely not, but I need to be able to sleep at night with my votes and feel like I’ve done that in this role.”

Walking the path
On that walk with her grandbaby, Woodard had the choice to go to Naomi Jones Park or the opposite direction to Price Park. She says she chose Price Park because the facilities were better.

The walk still influences her actions as a commissioner.

One of her initiatives, with the help of City Manager Leslie Porter, is getting a new building to replace the Irvin Civic Center.

That center has been deemed too small and outdated. Impact studies and research have shown tearing down the current building, as well as moving to a more suited spot in the park, is the best option.

Woodard said she loves working with fellow commissioner Ann Cosentino, who leads the commission’s youth council. Those youth come to city hall to see the commission in action.

Woodard also wants more summer programs for youths.

Those were cut back this year and held at Pasco Middle due to limited space.

Porter said Woodard is an advocate for youths.

“She inspires young girls and women in the community through her outreach efforts and motivational words,” Porter said. “Mayor Pro Tem Woodard inspires the Black community in Dade City by encouraging their involvement, ensuring their voices are heard and representing them at each and every interaction she has.”

Woodard, for her part, walks the walk.

“I make it my business to be present, so another child, who looks like me, can see they can also make an impact,” Woodard said. “When it counts, Dade City unites together. At parades, everyone is standing shoulder-to-shoulder, from one end of the city to the other. We might not agree on everything, but at the end of the day, we all come together, no matter what the color of our skin is.

“To me, that will always be Dade City.”

Published July 26, 2023

Art that speaks their language

By

Kendry Abreu Valerio used to be embarrassed to speak his native language.

However, now three years later thanks to art projects through Pasco County Schools’ English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, he is fluent in English — as well as a budding artist.

“I really learned English through this program and, at the same time, you learn a lot more about art and artists,” he said. “It feels a lot better now that I know I can speak English.”

Cox Elementary student Jazmyn Martinez Macayo, 8, smiles in front of her artwork poster board during the Dade City & Zephyrhills Young Artists Exhibit, at the Dade City Armory on July 18. About a dozen artists, all of whom were part of Pasco County Schools’ summer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, researched artists and created artworks — in a project aimed at helping them to hone their English language skills. (Mike Camunas)

His work was among about a dozen young artists on display at the first-ever Dade City & Zephyrhills Young Artists Exhibit, at the Dade City Armory on July 18.

He’s also one of many ESOL students who have learned English through hard work and creative, beyond-the-textbook art projects.

Students were told to research artists that inspired them, then create their own art. They had to present their art as if it was featured in an exhibit.

“It taps into the student’s creativity, for starters,” ESOL Curriculum Specialist Magda Mckenzie said. “It also makes kids feel comfortable, so they don’t feel embarrassed when speaking the English language. … So, we started working on developing oral English skills, and as we were focusing on specific artists, they read and studied a lot of biographies.

“Then they would have to tell us about their art.”

Pasco Middle student Mónica Hernández, 12, smiles as she shows off her artistic piece at the Dade City Armory on July 18 during the Dade City & Zephyrhills Young Artists Exhibit.

As a longtime Dade City resident, Mckenzie was inspired when she was driving downtown and saw that the Dade City Center for the Arts (DCCA) was hosting its Art Walk.

She thought: Why not have an exhibit for the students and their art?

Mckenzie approached DCCA with the idea, and the nonprofit’s vice president, Lucy Avila, and the center agreed to host the exhibit.

“A lot of times, when you’re trying to learn a second language, you’re doing two things at once: you’re learning content and, at the same time, they’re learning the language — that’s a tough thing to do, so I think this gives them an avenue to them be more successful,” Mckenzie said.

“Teachers love (the presentations), too, because the parents are involved, and when the parents see the progress, that definitely means a lot to the teachers.”

The student artworks represented nine different Latin American countries.

The exhibit was part of the ESOL summer session.

Dozens of people attended the Dade City & Zephyrhills Young Artists Exhibit, at the Dade City Armory on July 18.

For 3 ½ hour days, four days a week for five weeks, the students worked on their research, their artwork and their presentations.

“Every week they had to practice on how to talk to anyone, face-to-face, on their art, and what and who inspired them,” Mckenzie said. 

“And be able to do all of that in English.”

Students were from East Pasco elementary, middle and high schools, and were excited to show off their art and new communication skills at the exhibit.

Abreu Valerio, who said his artwork was inspired by Picasso, says he is now as confident as his fellow incoming Zephyrhills High freshmen — the ones whose first language is English.

“Having to present today really helped because you then hear English more and more and more,” he said. “It feels better because, sometimes, if you don’t know English, some people even make fun of you — so it feels really good that I know it so much better now.”

Isabella Lopez Flores, an 11-year-old Pinecrest Elementary student, said she was inspired by artists such as Frida Kahlo and Oscar Olivares, the latter being Venezuelan, such as herself.

She said the art project taught her English, and more.

About a dozen or so young English for Speakers of Other Languages students displayed their program artwork during an exhibit on July 18.

“It teaches you about a lot of places and things, but also a lot about art and artists,” she said. “I learned more about the countries and the world and more English. It wasn’t harder; it was more helpful — much more than reading a book, especially for me.

“When I didn’t know that much English, I would talk to my friends and they would help me learn more English, but would also help me through Spanish when I would need to talk to the teacher,” she said.

“It was all very helpful, but now I’m confident speaking to anyone in English.”

Dade City Center for the Arts
Details: The Dade City Center for the Arts brings the arts to the city and community by providing opportunities for artists to showcase their talents. The group uses community outreach and collaborates with Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University and area businesses. The organization is devoted to enhancing the Dade City environment through the arts and art events, including the Dade City Hale Bale Painting Project, the Kumquat Window Decorating Contest and the Dade City Art Walk.
Info: Visit DadeCityArts.com.

Published July 26, 2023

Local club soccer team one of best in nation

By

They’re just teenagers.

But they are some of the best teenage soccer players in the nation.

Hailing from the likes of Lutz, Trinity and Wesley Chapel, the Florida Premier 2010 Under 13 girls soccer team is developing a stellar reputation.

The team — made up of all 13-year-olds — has amassed a record of 78-1-5 in the past two years, is champion in the region, in the state and even ranked fourth nationally. And, this comes after playing the past year in the Elite Club National League (ECNL).

Florida Premier 2010 Under 13 ECNL Girls team competed in the national playoffs in San Diego, California, in late June and advanced as far as the Sweet 16 round. Team members include, top row, left to right: Kallie Bliestein, Nola Eagle, Kenza Mikou, Eve Douglass, Nora Gulliford, Ava Ortiz, Kourtney Weber, Jaeda Russell, Maria Kartes and Tori Carapazza. Bottom row left to right: Estel Heimann, Aziza Symmonds, Ariana Dos Santos, Addison Jericho, Madison Starkey, Makenna Lawler and Jenah Amireh. (Courtesy of Scott Lawler)

Additionally, the team played in the national playoffs in San Diego, California, in late June, finishing in that tournament’s Sweet 16.

“Even before I started working with them, the chemistry was already there, so my goal was to maintain that,” said the team’s coach, Leo Martini.

“We, as a club, and in the first season in the ECNL, we were facing the highest competition in the country,” he added. “We really didn’t know what to expect at first, but the 2010 team is very special. We had great starts in the season, so it made us recalibrate the goals. Once we knew we were going to qualify for the champion’s league (playoffs), we had to create bigger goals.

“And making the (national) Sweet 16 was a great accomplishment.”

According to its website, the ECNL, which was founded in 2009, “represents the epitome of excellence in youth soccer, for boys and girls, as the league and its clubs, players, coaches and everyone involved seeks to constantly ‘Raise the Game’ for the future.

This FP girls team is made of the best of the best from that age group. All the players were born in 2010, but still need to try out — yet many had been playing together for years, either in recreational or travel competitive leagues.

That’s true for Makenna Lawler — one of the team’s defensive backs that helps keep opponents at bay on offense.

“In ECNL, that’s the highest league you play, so you’re competing against some of the best players and teams across the country,” the Cypress Creek Middle eighth-grader said. “It’s been a great experience because we’ve also never experienced anything like this or ever got to see what it was like out there or to be there (in the national playoffs).

“There’s five or six core players that have been playing together since rec (league) or Happy Feet, but we’ve won a lot, which makes the experience even better — especially going from playing locally or in Florida to then going to play in South Carolina and now California.

“It was like a dream — barely felt real.” 

Makenna Lawler, center, and Madison Starkey, right, defend against an opponent during a recent soccer match. (Courtesy of Jim Schlett)

The team had won previous tournaments — the Jefferson Cup in Richmond, Virginia, and the Disney Showcase in Orlando — and while excited about the playoffs in San Diego, its run ended at the hands of the top-seeded San Diego Surf in the round of 16.

“Obviously, the quality of the player definitely makes it so special,” Martini said. “It’s a whole team of very good players that are very versatile and they work really well together — and have for a long time, meaning they’re really well coached, which just makes my job that much easier.

“They’re very committed and disciplined — and they’re all just 13, but not one of them is scared to train four times a week.

“They have a great mentality and love being pushed to that (next) level.”

That is exactly what the players wanted. They knew, and still know, that this highly competitive level will push them and be beneficial.

“When you think about it and compete with other teams around the country, it’s really fun and interesting to do that,” said Nora Eagle, a Martinez Middle eighth-grader who plays outside back. “It was really fun to be able to go to San Diego and compete with the top teams in the country. I feel very proud of the team and its accomplishments. It was a long, hard journey and worth it to come together as a team and realize what we’ve done.”

And the team realizes there is still more to be done.

“I think we can do way better next year,” Lawler said. “The elite eight or final four or finals — if we work together and train enough, we are capable of anything.

“It will take a lot of hard work and dedication for our team, but we’re very hungry for next season and to be national champs.”

Published July 26, 2023

XC runner excels, honored at PHSC 

By

Gabrielle Marshall (Courtesy of PHSC)

Gabrielle Marshall, a Gaither High graduate and cross-country runner for Pasco- Hernando State College (PHSC), received the Larry Monts Award on June 21. 

The honor goes to those who have excelled in academics, athletics and altruism. Cross-country coaches from across the state make the selection.

Marshall earned her associate’s degree from PHSC in Fall 2021 and a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing in Summer 2022, while leading PHSC to consecutive Florida College System Activities Association Athletics Championships. She ran under the guidance of Jacki Wachtel, the FCSAA Region 8 coach of the year. While enrolled, Marshall worked at Moffitt Cancer Center. She also served as a special need’s ministry and youth volunteer and worship leader in her local church.