Mike Camunas

2023 Sunshine Athletic Conference Fall Awards

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The Sunshine Athletic Conference, which is made up of the 14 public high school athletic programs in Pasco County, announced its 2023 Fall All-Conference Teams and Players, voted on by the sports’ respective coaches. The awards are split into East and West divisions of the county. Here are the East Division first teams and the players and coaches of the year.

Wiregrass Ranch senior quarterback Luke Knight was one of Pasco County’s top offensive players, throwing for 3,872 yards, 43 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, while leading the Bulls to a 9-3 record and regional semifinals berth. (Mike Camunas)

Football

Team Champion: Zephyrhills

Offensive Player of the Year: Luke Knight, Wiregrass Ranch

Defensive Player of the Year: Milton Garcia, Cypress Creek

Coach of the Year: Nick Carroll, Zephyrhills

Offense

QB – Luke Knight, Wiregrass Ranch

RB – Malachi Askin, Cypress Creek

RB – Cody Gwinn, Land O’ Lakes

WR – Isaiah Riggins, Wiregrass Ranch

WR – D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills

TE – Zach Merriman, Sunlake

OL – Jaeden Ortiz, Wiregrass Ranch

OL – Austin Slusher, Cypress Creek

OL – Christian Starkey, Wiregrass Ranch

OL – Juan Torres, Pasco

OL – Logan Lagrone, Zephyrhills

K – Cameron Canard, Cypress Creek

P – Trevor Harden, Land O’ Lakes

UTL – Tristan Lennon, Zephyrhills

Defense

DL – David Kirk, Cypress Creek

DL – D.J. Pope, Pasco

DL – Khalial Buckenroth, Wiregrass Ranch

DL – Khris Cruz, Land O’ Lakes

LB – Ola Omoloye, Wiregrass Ranch

LB – Coy Martin, Cypress Creek

LB – Lukas Colella, Zephyrhills

LB – Leroy Vickers, Pasco

DB – D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills

DB – Milton Garcia, Cypress Creek

DB – Roman Sercu, Cypress Creek

Volleyball

Team Champion: Sunlake

Player of the Year: Brooke Ashkenase, Wesley Chapel

Coach of the Year: Elyse Garcia-Zapata, Sunlake

First Team

Brooke Ashkenase, Wesley Chapel

Annabella Grace Korta, Wesley Chapel

Izabella Horruitiner, Land O’ Lakes

Amelia Snider, Sunlake

Sofia Sierra, Sunlake

Emily Teets, Wesley Chapel

Zayda Thomas, Sunlake

Boys Golf

Team Champion: Wesley Chapel

Golfer of the Year: Connor Newbold, Cypress Creek

Coach of the Year: Josh Raskopf, Wesley Chapel

First team

Connor Newbold, Cypress Creek
Colin Mead, Wiregrass Ranch

Tien Do, Wesley Chapel

Carter Boynton, Wesley Chapel

Max Haines, Sunlake

Girls Golf

Team Champion: Sunlake

Golfer of the Year: Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake

Coach of the Year: Austi Dial, Sunlake

First team

Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake

Hailey Stricker, Sunlake

Skylar Lee, Cypress Creek

Darien Jeffrey, Pasco

Brooklyn Beckstead, Wiregrass Ranch

Boys Cross-Country

Team Champion: Sunlake

Runner of the Year: Will Poe, Zephyrhills

Coach of the Year: Randal Reeves, Sunlake

First team

Will Poe, Zephyrhills

Skylar Manatt, Cypress Creek

Dylan Powell, Cypress Creek

Sunlake High junior cross-country runner Cade Culpepper and senior runner Abigail Williams both named First Team honors in this season’s SAC awards. (Mike Camunas)

Christian Hindman, Sunlake

Cade Culpepper, Sunlake

Aaron Barnes, Cypress Creek

Joshua Hindman, Sunlake

Girls Cross-Country

Team Champion: Sunlake

Runner of the Year: Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch

Coach of the Year: Randal Reeves, Sunlake

First team

Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch

Abigail Williams, Sunlake

Katelin Wilcox, Sunlake

Natalia Gaona-Zelaya, Wiregrass Ranch

Lydia Vincent, Zephyrhills

Thalia Kushman, Land O’ Lakes

Kaitlyn Zabrocki, Sunlake

Boys Swimming

Team Champion: Sunlake

Swimmer of the Year: Cayden DeTillo, Sunlake

Diver of the Year: Blake Zevin, Sunlake

Coach of the Year: Guerby Ruuske, Sunlake

First team

200 Medley Relay – Cayden Detillo, Brayden Morsey, George Patrocinio, Connor Canfield, Sunlake

200 Freestyle – Cayden DeTillo, Sunlake

200 Individual Medley – Juan Benitez, Sunlake

50 Freestyle – Huy Duong, Sunlake

100 Freestyle – Connor Canfield, Sunlake

100 Butterfly – Juan Benitez, Sunlake

500 Freestyle – Jackson Porter, Wiregrass Ranch

200 Freestyle Relay – Owen Kerrigan, Braden Morsey, George Patrocinio, Connor Canfield, Sunlake

100 Backstroke – Cayden DeTillo, Sunlake

100 Breaststroke – George Patrocinio, Sunlake

400 Freestyle Relay – Huy Duong, Cayden DeTillo, Connor Canfield, Juan Benitez, Sunlake

Girls Swimming

Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes

Swimmer of the Year: Regan Bright, Sunlake

Diver of the Year: Emily Coss, Land O’ Lakes

Coach of the Year: Jill Hebert, Land O’ Lakes

First team

200 Medley Relay – Regan Bright, Reagan Faiella, Ava Edwards, Jena Ruste, Sunlake

200 Freestyle – Ava Edwards, Sunlake

200 Individual Medley – Regan Bright, Sunlake

50 Freestyle – Jordyn Rolle, Wesley Chapel

100 Butterfly – Regan Bright, Sunlake

100 Freestyle – Callie Trussler, Sunlake

500 Freestyle – Sadie Minich, Wesley Chapel

200 Freestyle Relay – Abigail Hahm, Katie Purcell, Emily Coss, Emelia D’Allesio, Land O’ Lakes

100 Backstroke – Kylie Naramore, Cypress Creek

100 Breaststroke – Sadie Minich, Wesley Chapel

400 Freestyle Relay – Regan Bright, Ava Edwards, Callie Trussler, Jena Ruste, Sunlake

Published November 22, 2023

Local golfers take home state medals

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

A pair of high school golfers both recently finished out their 2023 seasons near the top. They brought home medals from the two-day Class 3A state tournament, which began on Nov. 10 and was held at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills.

Sunlake senior Alyssa Mixon and Steinbrenner freshman Dannika Hines both finished tied for fourth place, after the duo individually shot 145 totals.

Mixon, who has signed to play golf for Bradley University in Illinois, scored rounds of 72 and 73, while Hines had rounds of 68 and 77.

Alyssa Mixon (Courtesy of Sunlake High Athletics)

Dannika Hines (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High Athletics)

CDS volleyball wins 3A state championship

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Though the Carrollwood Day School (CDS) Volleyball Team lost the first set during their Class 3A title match on Nov. 9, the Patriots (31-2) stormed back.

Thanks to three straight winning sets — 25-23, 25-19, 29-27 — CDS secured its second volleyball state championship, defeating Miami Westminster Christian 3-1 at the Winter Haven Health Center at Polk State College.

The Patriots won its first title since 2017. They were led by freshman Lydia Chinchar, who is the coach’s daughter and who had a match-high 37 kills. She finished the season with a team-high 573 kills.

CDS, ranked No. 3 overall in the state and 21st nationally by MaxPreps, had a long road to the championship, beating defending state champion Clearwater Central Catholic, defending region finalist Sarasota Cardinal Mooney and topping Berkeley Prep — one of the team’s regular season losses. In the state semifinal, the Patriots beat highly ranked Orlando Lake Highland Prep.

Coach Doug Chinchar, prior to becoming head coach this offseason, spent 11 seasons as head coach at Bishop McLaughlin, where he led the Hurricanes to state semifinal appearances in three straight seasons (2018-2020), including a state final appearance in 2018.

Local martial arts students bring home hardware

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

(Courtesy of Wesley Chapel Martial Arts Academy)

Students from the Wesley Chapel Martial Arts Academy, 2237 Ashley Oaks Circle, competed at the Florida Taekwondo Open Championship on Nov. 4 at the Bradenton Convention Center, with several bringing home medals.

With more than 300 participants in attendance, these local athletes brought home prizes: Jovan Borojevic, gold medal in Sparring; Lorenzo Lora, gold in Sparring and Weapons; Gabriel Davila, silver in Sparring; Jayden Cortez, gold in Sparring; Colin Lopez, gold in Sparring and Weapons; Isaac San Martin, gold in Breaking and silver in Forms; and Jasai Montelongo, gold in Sparring and gold in Form.

A one-tank drive

November 14, 2023 By Mike Camunas

It may have been a handful, but it was, after all, a tank full.

I mean, I was — incredibly and actually, really and truly, no fooling — driving a tank. A fully-fledged, 17-ton — rolling-on-treads — tank.

“There’s not another place in Florida where you can do that,” said John Kinney, co-founder of Tank America, in Orlando — a very non-Disney “theme park” and Florida’s only tank-driving attraction.

“In fact, there are very few in the country, and world, where you can drive a tank,” he said.

Tim Jernigan, tank-driving instructor at Tank America, guides a FV433 Abbot military tank around the course at the Orlando-based adventure park that is Florida’s only tank-driving attraction. The theme park lets visitors take a 17-ton repurposed British tank on the ½-mile course up hills, through mud holes, on hair-pin turns, across straightaways and even to crush cars. The attraction has nine tanks, including four APCs. It has become a popular destination for buddy trips and even bachelor parties. (Mike Camunas)

So, to say it’s an unforgettable experience is no exaggeration — either by myself or Kinney.

Visitors can trek over to Tank America, climb onto and lower themselves into a tank, and traverse it as if they were driving a car.

It’s an adrenaline-infused, wild ride.

One that is definitely worth the (one-tank) trip.

A ride in the park
Tank America may seem like another one of Orlando’s many, many tourist attractions, but it is far from it.

In fact, it’s not even near all the others non-Floridians flock to yearly on International Drive or in Lake Buena Vista under the shadow of mouse ears.

This is more of an experience.

It started out on the Space Coast before a COVID shutdown, which brought Kinney and his tank-driving instructors to Orlando.

Tank America is set on a 14-acre jungle and forest terrain — filled with hills, mud holes, hair-pin turns and straightaways.

MisFit is just one of nine FV433 Abbot military tanks at Tank America in Orlando, which visitors can take along a ½-mile course filled with hills, mud holes, turns and more. It is Florida’s only tank-driving attraction.

It has nine repurposed, British-made FV433 Abbot military tanks from the 1960s. They’re outfitted to allow willing and eager drivers power through the ½-mile course on a recon mission, in search of a “downed plane.”

Like any other visitor, I sat through the training and safety video and went over just how to drive a tank, the proper way.

My tank “commander” and instructor, Tim Jernigan, doesn’t have a military background, but he guided me on a well-laid out course and eventually through a 100-foot, nearly five-foot-deep mud hole. I also drove over some crushed cars.

It was, to put it bluntly, thrilling.

The tanks, which can reach up to 30 mph, don’t have steering wheels, but two levers, each controlling one of the treds.

It takes careful and precise work to stay on course.

The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas sits in the cockpit of a FV433 Abbot military tank, or Prometheus, at Tank America, where he was able to guide the 17-ton military vehicle over a ½-mile course and through a 100-foot long and nearly five-foot deep mud hole.

Luckily, Jernigan, who spoke to me through headphones the whole time, is equipped with a kill switch, just in case.

Not that I needed it.

Jernigan and I found the “downed plane and its pilot” (a mannequin hanging from a parachute in a tree) and returned to home base.

“You’re a natural,” Jernigan told me.

“Maybe I can be an embedded journalist,” I replied, thinking to myself: As long as I am in the safety of a metal beast like this tank.

An easy recruit
So, I know what you’re thinking: Who is crazy enough to climb into the tiny driver seat of a tank?

The answer is a lot of people.

Kinney says his attraction is quite popular with tourists and locals. In fact, it turns out a tank-driving experience is also a popular gift-giving experience.

Tank America also has APCs, or armored personnel carriers, in which a large group of visitors can pile in and ride a tank around the attractions’ muddy, jungle terrain that has become a popular destination for bachelor parties.

Kinney said they see a lot of girlfriends, wives and significant others buying it as a birthday or Christmas present, but they also get a lot of group outings, such as bachelor parties or guys’ night out.

For that, four of the nine tanks Tank America has on the property are APCs, or armored personnel carriers, and groups can pile into the back compartment and ride around.

Additionally, there are several add-ons for tank driving, such as adding passengers to the smaller Abbotts, getting an extra lap around the course and, of course, ripping through full cars multiple times.

And, since no one is going to believe you, the whole drive is recorded on multiple video cameras mounted on the tanks. That way you can humblebrag on social media.

I was given Prometheus to drive, which, as it turns out, is a celebrity of sorts. It was featured in the 2011 movie ‘Super 8’. Another, Deuces Wild, was featured in 2010’s ‘Iron Man 2’ and 2012’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’

Let’s just say I was starstruck as I lowered myself into the cockpit and couldn’t stop grinning the entire time I was driving around the 240-horsepower, 12-V turbo armored car with a 10-mile-ranged gun sitting next to me.

It’s easy to get swept up in this, like a teenager getting a car on his or her 16th birthday. But that’s part of the appeal, right?

While Kinney and company, rightfully so, boast being the only tank-driving attraction in Florida, it’s really an experience unlike any other — as long as you’re 16 years old and brave enough.

In the end, you’re in a tank, you’re driving it up hills and through mud, and crushing cars.

And, to think, it’s an experience, just a tank full away from this area.

Tank America
Where: 6605 Muskegee St., in Orlando
Details: Attention! It’s time to climb into, or onto, a FV433 Abbot military tank at Florida’s only tank-driving attraction and theme park. Eager drivers can take a 17-ton repurposed British tank on a ½-mile course set on 14 acres of jungle terrain, with rolling trails through the forest. The course features hills, mud holes, hair-pin turns and straightaways. Drivers don a headset, and with the help of an instructor, they also can crush cars and search for a downed plane.
Cost: Starts at $199.
Info: Visit TankAmerica.com

Published November 15, 2023

Tim Jernigan, tank driving instructor at Tank America, works on some of the communication gear on Prometheus, a FV433 Abbot military tank that was driven by The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas.

The inside of an APC at Tank America can seat multiple riders, perfect for a party or large, adventurous outing at the Orlando-based attraction.

Riders and visitors at Tank America, in Orlando, will get a briefing on the history of the tanks, how to drive the tanks and tank safety in this room prior to traversing the ½-mile course, with its jungle-like terrain.

Dade City plans for a new James Irvin Civic Center

November 14, 2023 By Mike Camunas

One of Dade City’s most recognizable and heavily used buildings is headed toward a rebirth.

The City of Dade City and the Pasco County Recreation and Natural Resources Department are working on a project to tear down the existing structure and rebuild the James Irvin Civic Center.

An artist rendering shows how a new James Civic Center and the renovation of Naomi Price Park in Dade City would reshape the long-standing park that sits across the street from the historic Dade City Cemetery. (Courtesy of CPH Corp)

The current building at 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd., in the heart of Naomi Price Park, originally was erected in 1963.

City officials reached out to residents on Nov. 6 and Nov. 9 asking them what exactly they wanted out of the facility.

At the same meetings, residents had a chance to see artist renderings of the planned reconstruction project.

No timeline for project start was unveiled, but those attending were encouraged to list the amenities they are seeking in a new civic center.

This is one of eight projects the city intends to complete. So far, it has earmarked $32 million of its budget for those projects.

The project will entail tearing down the existing building and erecting a new, larger, state-of-the-art facility, of which the city has already earmarked $1.2 million.

In public forums held Nov. 6 and Nov. 9, Dade City residents and locals were asked for their input on various amenities they would like at the completely new James Irvin Civic Center, and to weigh in on designs. The design seen here won overwhelming approval from the dozens that attended, mainly because it included a much-desired gymnasium. (Courtesy of CPH Corp)

The project also involves renovation of Naomi Price Park. The park already has basketball courts, a playground, pavilions and restrooms. New park amenities include tennis and pickleball courts, a community garden, gazebo and learning trail.

“I grew up here and what was needed then and what is needed now is much different,” Dade City Mayor Jim Shive said. “We’re excited to see the designs and can’t wait to see final ones, but we know we will need to put more money aside (for rebuilding James Irvin Civic Center). But the input, especially (on Nov. 6 and Nov. 9) has been invaluable.”

CPH Solutions LLC, an architecture and engineering firm, presented a tentative artist rendering of the new facility on site, while also presenting two alternative floor plans that residents and locals were asked to vote for their favorite.

Overwhelmingly, those who came to Moore-Mickens Education Center on Nov. 6 and the current James Irvin Civic Center on Nov. 9 voted for the floor plan that included a large gymnasium, as well as multipurpose rooms and a kitchen.

“People definitely want a gym — a multipurpose indoor space,” Shive said, also noting that feedback on that came from residents wanting a place to hold and/or attend events away from the outdoor elements.

Erected in 1963, the James Irvin Civic Center gets its namesake from one of the most active members of the Dade City community. Irvin attended Moore-Mickens as a young teen and was known for his honesty and conscientiousness. He mentored young men, served as a deacon at his church and coached/officiated Little League games, including the one between Taiwan and Canada during a 1977 international competition.

James Irvin Civic Center, 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd., sits inside of Naomi Price Park in Dade City and is set to be completely rebuilt as a modern, state-of-the-art facility featuring a gym. The current building was erected in 1963. (Mike Camunas)

In addition to owning Main Street Cleaners, one of the oldest businesses in Dade City, Irvin was an active volunteer with the Pasco Public Schools Foundation, the Community Alliance of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, and the city’s Historical Preservation Advisory Board.

Knowing the love for Irvin, and the history of Price Park, in which it was Branch Camp No. 7, a World War II Prisoner Camp, was another reason the city reached out to its residents. City officials wanted to be respectful of the historic site.

“Instead of renovating the current building, we found it more financially feasible and logical to tear down and build from scratch,” City Manager Leslie Porter said. “But it was important to us to remember that these are still historical sites and they’re important to the city. When it comes to Dade City, we’re always considering the historical aspects, especially with all our projects.”

The new civic center is one of eight current projects either in the planning stages or soon-to-be in progress. Other projects include a new park at Church Avenue and Eighth Street, which will include a splash pad and amphitheater, Touchton Park renovation and the streetscape renovation to Seventh Street.

“We are all excited about all the projects and improvements because we know the impact it will have on Dade City,” Porter said. “We’ve been listening to the community and working with them, hand in hand, to bring what they want to Dade City, which is growing exponentially.”

“This is all very exciting,” Shive added. “We can’t wait to bring them all to our city.”

James Irvin Civic Center
Where: 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City
Details: A multipurpose, city-run building located at Naomi Price Park in Dade City. Plans call for tearing down the current building, which dates back to 1963, and replacing it with a state-of-the-art facility that includes multipurpose rooms, a gym, kitchen and more. The City of Dade City has already earmarked more than $1.2 million to fund the project.

Published November 15, 2023

Swinging into Dade City

November 14, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The Market Place, held monthly every first Saturday at Agnes Lamb Park in Dade City. Local vendors set up shop to sell their wares from fresh produce to soaps to jewelry to artwork and more. Attendance to the monthly event is free, and it’s held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

David Post, left, and Regina Post swing their granddaughter, Eleanor, as they stroll through The Market Place. (Mike Camunas)

Dade City resident Edward Perez, left, and Zephyrhills resident Adam Perez check out a 1929 Model A classic car on Nov. 4, just outside the Pasco County Historic Courthouse on Sixth Street, in Dade City.

Out of Our Hands gallery on Seventh Street in historic downtown Dade City features artwork from mostly local artists and from across Florida. The gallery celebrated its fifth anniversary on Nov. 4.

Dade City residents, from left, Timothy Williams, Mandy Tetrea-Williams, Sera Williams and Lily Williams pose for a selfie with Dade City Mayor Jim Shive at Agnes Lamb Park on Nov. 4. They are new residents in the community.

The Market Place, held monthly every first Saturday at Agnes Lamb Park in Dade City, features local vendors who sell items including fresh produce, soaps, jewelry, artwork and more. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and attendance is free.

Classic and refurbished cars were lined up on Nov. 4, surrounding the Pasco County Historic Courthouse in Dade City.

Wildcats get a taste of states, seek more next season

November 14, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The Wesley Chapel Boys Golf Team visualized its shot — as golfers do — and took full swing at it. In the end, the team’s shot at the state tournament landed perfectly.

The Wildcats knew what it would take to get to the two-day Class 2A State Tournament that started Nov. 7 in Howey-in-the-Hills. And, they took full advantage of a young, talented roster and secured a spot through tough play and arguably the best season in program history.

From left: Members of the Wesley Chapel Boys Golf Team sophomore Jacob Doonan, sophomore Carter Boynton, sophomore Tien Do, senior Michael Hale and sophomore Camden Battey pose for a team photo following their two-day appearance at the Class 2A State Tournament, at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, where the Wildcats finished tied 10th with an overall score of 663. It was the program’s first state tournament since 2011 after the team won the Sunshine Athletic Conference Championship, the Class 2A-District 9 and an at-large regional tournament bid. (Courtesy of Josh Raskopf)

They finished 11-1, including a Sunshine Athletic Conference Championship and a Class 2A-District 9 title, and capped off the season with a 10th place finish at states, with sophomore Carter Boynton finishing 10th overall individually thanks to a 151 (7 over par).

“The season was tough, but down the stretch at conference, at districts and regionals, we started having fun, as a team, as players,” said Boynton, who shot a 76 and 75, respectively, at the state tournament. “Once we got to states, and since it was our goal all season, we didn’t really have any expectations (on how’d we finish). We just wanted to get there and we did, and we had fun.

“The whole year,” he added, “we talked about making it to states and we finally did after working for it all season — it felt great. As a team, we’re friends and look to have fun on the course, which is why I think we’re so successful.”

Coming into the season, the Wildcats had lofty expectations and goals, which, of course, included making the program’s first state tournament appearance since 2011. Thanks to adding Boynton, a Minnesota transfer, and fellow sophomore Tien Do, a transfer from New York, it was mission accomplished.

“Sure, they work a lot and have swing coaches, but they play as a group of friends on a weekly basis,” coach Josh Raskopf said. “They just love golf and they’re just going to get better, and by next season, I expect they will be even better.”

Despite some great results, the players do expect to top their 2023 state tournament scores.

Do finished 31st with a two-day 159 total, while fellow sophomores Jacob Doonan (172) and Camden Battey (187) finished 71st and 93rd, respectively. The team’s lone senior, Michael Hale, who narrowly missed a trip to states in 2022, finished 86th with a 181.

But, as golfers do, they want their scores to be better.

Wesley Chapel sophomore Carter Boynton follows through on a shot during the Class 2A State Tournament, at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, where he shot a two-day 151 (7-over par) and a tie for 10th place.

“I take away (from our state tournament appearance) on how it went, how our team did and how our team is going to come back and try to take hardware,” Boynton said. “It’s the state tournament, so you’re a little nervous at first, but you try to stay focused and play your game.

“But (next year’s) goal is already there. We’re going back by just playing golf with friends.”

These golf buddies came together before the season and bonded, allowing them to put together a near-perfect season. Despite the Wildcats one loss — falling to nearby district rival Cypress Creek by two strokes — it missed coming in second at the regional tournament after a four-hole playoff. The team made the state tournament as an at-large bid due to its successful season.

“We had to stay focused all season because if we missed our shot at states with one of (the two) regional (winner spots), we knew our most clear path would be to win districts and have a great regular season,” Raskopf said. “We made sure we went out there every match and kept that hyperfocus through the whole season. It can be draining, but we knew that we were always going to put up competitive numbers.”

Raskopf already has big ambitions for next season. With four of the team’s top five golfers just sophomores, and now with state tournament experience, he expects those golfers just to get better.

And to continue to take their shots at the state tournament.

“Absolutely, the expectation next year is, realistically, in the top three or five,” Raskopf said. “The new expectation is making (states) for the next two years with this group of boys. (Making states) was always the question if we were really going to do it, but it’s not a question anymore. We know we have the talent and drive to get to the next level and break through.

“By their senior years, they’ll want to be holding the top spot that year, but, honestly, they want it next year.”

Additional State Qualifiers, Results

Class 3A
Boys
Jack Vanderschuur, Steinbrenner – 74, 77 – 151 (T-19th)

Girls
Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake – 72, 73 – 145 (T-4th)
Dannika Hines, Steinbrenner – 68, 77 – 145 (T-4th)

Class 2A
Girls
Fasauni Marshall, Freedom – 97, 96 – 193 (83rd)

Class 1A*
Boys
Conor Whalen, Bishop McLaughlin

*(Class 1A state tournament results not available at time of publication).

Published November 15, 2023

Track star competes in Pan Am Games

November 14, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Local track star and 2018 Zephyrhills Christian Academy graduate Evan Miller recently competed in the 2023 Pan American Games, joining Team USA in Santiago to compete in the 200 meter and the 4×400 relay from Oct. 20 to Nov. 4.

Miller won two Class 1A state championships while at Zephyrhills Christian Academy.

In the 4×400, and running with teammates Derek Holdsworth, Christopher Royster and Richard Kuykendoll, Miller and Team USA finished fifth with a 3:08, finishing behind Brazil, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela, respectively.

In the 200 meter, Miller disqualified in the semifinal Heat 1 wave.

Additionally, over the Fourth of July weekend, Miller competed in the V12 Summer games in Alachua, winning gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter sprints.

Youth cooking skills are served

November 7, 2023 By Mike Camunas

These youngsters are ready to dish, dish, dish.

They, in no short order, have signed up at Young Chefs Academy, the new cooking school that provides weekly classes and workshops for kids, tweens and teens who are interested in developing and sharpening their culinary skills.

Wesley Chapel young chef Axel Martinon happily seasons meat that will be put into a chili dish, during a class at Young Chefs Academy, a cooking and culinary school that opened in Lutz in October. Youthful and hopeful chefs can sign up for classes that teach them to prepare, cook and present meals and hone their culinary skills in a kitchen environment. (Mike Camunas)

The academy provides a kitchen space for kids passionate about learning how to prepare, sautee, mince, season, mix and match recipes and, finally, present meals and dishes.

“They may address me as ‘chef,’ but they always don’t want a chef because sometimes real chefs aren’t always good at breaking down and teaching (how to cook),” said co-owner and head chef Paul Neale, who, by trade, is not a traditional chef. “They have to learn some things, like using a real knife, and you teach them technique and why it’s held this way, and safety and efficiency.

“But when you teach them something and it clicks, it’s just amazing to see the progress and how they get better and then the food is better.”

Neale, along with his wife, Lisa, opened the new location of Young Chefs Academy in Lutz in October, adding to their other location in Seminole. The Wesley Chapel residents were searching for culinary classes for their 12-year-old son, T.J., when they happened upon the Young Chefs Academy franchise, which turned out to be the perfect opportunity to launch a business.

However, neither were trained chefs, with both working in the corporate world before retiring.

Sara Melendez watches as an instructor at Young Chefs Academy in Lutz teaches her the proper technique to prepare and chop kale for a dish.

“We are good cooks, we are not chefs — we’re here to teach that now,” Lisa said. “When we were looking (for T.J.), we found (Young Chefs) and thought it would be neat to own and teach that, and it’s all the rage with (cooking) shows, but it’s also a life skill. So, we fell in love with the concept.

“Young Chefs teaches us everything we need to know to teach,” she added.

Some of the academy’s staff are chefs. Some have been cooking for a lifetime and are passionate about it, some are culinary students and some are culinary students to be.

Lisa said it took about two years to get into their new location that comes with a fully functional kitchen and appliances. All classes will provide the food, tools, recipes and the know-how to prepare various meals. Some of the meals will be easy; some, more difficult.

Students at Young Chefs Academy in Lutz practice prepare ingredients for dishes with plastic knives before graduating to the real thing.

It then comes down to the adult chefs to teach the younger versions proper techniques in preparing, from slicing and dicing, to food preparation. That also includes why certain foods take certain flavoring better and what pairs best.

Each class has about 10 to 12 young chefs, but Lisa added the spaces filled up fast.

“Young Chefs can teach you how to cook, how to prep, how to pair, how to slice and dice,” she said. “What we can’t teach is the passion for cooking, for food, for preparing it for others. We’ve seen with the kids we have so far that passion for them to cook, which is what makes teaching these cooking classes just so amazingly fun.”

Owner and head chef at Young Chefs Academy in Lutz Paul Neale leads a round-kitchen class at the newly opened school where young, budding chefs can hone their culinary skills.

Paul added: “I like to cook, I’ve always been in the kitchen, but I’m not a chef. The franchise teaches you how to cook, how to prepare, how to teach, but it’s a life skill, and kids will try things they normally wouldn’t. They’re making it, but then trying food they might not normally eat if they weren’t making it, because now they’re proud of it.

“They want to try it and they want their parents to try it.”

Paul and Lisa point out the popularity of cooking by youth may not necessarily be new, but the boom of cooking shows on TV has helped get kids into the kitchen either besides, or in addition to, say, a soccer field or karate or ballet studio.

“Plus, parents have to cook, so kids want to be in the kitchen with them,” Lisa added. “It’s something they want to do with them, so I think a lot of these kids want to participate as something the family does together.”

Whatever the reason may be, these young chefs are eager to dish out meals.

Parents reap benefits from taking their kiddos to Young Chefs Academy in Lutz, because they get to taste the dishes their young chefs prepared and cooked during class.

“I love coming here so far because I like how they give you the recipes to try and you have to learn how to do it — you taste it and keep trying till you get it right,” 10-year-old chef Noah Diaz said. “You gotta learn how to cut and actually how to prepare (food), and you have to actually learn how to do all the things you would in a kitchen. You’re learning how to cook different things and that’s a lot of fun to me.

“Plus, you then learn what food goes with which and how to pair recipes and make dishes — you’re learning how to be a chef!”

Young Chefs Academy
Where: 23606 State Road 54, in Lutz
Details: This academy provides weekly classes and workshops for kids, tweens and teens who are interested in the culinary arts and in developing, building upon and sharpening their cooking skills.
Info: Visit WesleyChapelFl.youngchefsacademy.com.

Published November 08, 2023