The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Michael Murillo

Steinbrenner softball claims best season in school history

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When Brenda Leach took over as coach of the Steinbrenner Warriors, everyone was hoping for a good beginning, but they didn’t know exactly what to expect.

Leach is just the second head softball coach in the school’s history, and the team has never had a losing season since they began play in 2009.

So, when Leach led the team to its best season in school history, it certainly was a good start to her tenure.

The Warriors had a lot of youth on their softball team -- just two seniors -- but they came together and had the best season in school history. (Courtesy of Maureen Famiano)
The Warriors had a lot of youth on their softball team — just two seniors — but they came together and had the best season in school history.
(Courtesy of Maureen Famiano)

And while she expected a good year, even Leach wasn’t expecting as much as her team delivered.

“I had no idea that our record and accomplishments would be what they ended up being,” she said.

The numbers ended up being impressive no matter how you analyze them.

The Warriors compiled a 22-8 record, eclipsing 20 wins in one season for the first time in school history.

And while they won some close games, many victories were dominating performances. Steinbrenner recorded eight shutouts and scored 10 or more runs 10 different times. They began their season with 53 runs in their first three games alone.

While it is important to score runs and win games, those aren’t the only measures of a successful year.

If a team falls short in the district tournament, for instance, all that work won’t amount to much.

But Steinbrenner had its most successful year in that regard. The team claimed the Class 7A District 8 title after slipping past Wiregrass Ranch by a 2-1 margin.

The team then went to the regional tournament.

The Warriors have done that before, but after beating East Bay and Plant City, they reached the regional final for the first time. And while it ended that tournament with a 7-1 loss to Bartow, Leach remains very happy with how the year turned out.

“I’m so proud of all the accomplishments, so many successes this year to be proud of, it’s an amazing feeling,” she said.

While it was Leach’s first year at the helm, it wasn’t her first year with the school. She had served as an assistant the two previous seasons, so the players didn’t have to adjust to hearing advice from someone they didn’t know.

Still, Leach wanted to do things her way, and that meant both adding and eliminating some things from the program.

For instance, she added conditioning for six weeks before spring tryouts so the team would be physically ready for the upcoming season.

Before that, she encouraged all players — not just freshmen and sophomores — to participate in Miss Tampa Bay Softball, an unofficial fall league utilized by players who want to get in some year-round work. Playing together earlier helped them work as a team from the beginning, since they were already familiar with each other.

There were eliminations, too. Specifically, the bickering that sometimes occurs in sports teams. Leach wanted everyone to understand that there’s a job to do, and the Warriors weren’t going to waste time fighting with each other when they could be working to defeat their next opponent.

According to sophomore pitcher Emalee Jansen, it worked.

“We had a great bonding relationship, the entire team,” Jansen said. The Warriors would do things together outside of softball as well, like a dolphin tour over spring break. And when they won the district title, Leach invited them to her house to watch the game together.

Part of the team’s synergy came out of respect for their coach, Jansen explained. After playing softball at Gaither High School (where she won a state title in 1996), Leach was a first-team, all-region outfielder at Hillsborough Community College. She then continued her softball career at Ashland University in Ohio. Having an accomplished athlete guiding them gave the team an opportunity to learn from someone who had already achieved success, and gave them confidence in her approach.

“It was easy to relate to her, because she played college ball,” Jansen said. “She’s just a great overall coach.”

Leach will have a chance to repeat the team’s success next year with returning players like Jansen. Overall the team is losing just two seniors, and while they were important to the team, Leach believes they can fill those gaps and compete in the district and region again.

She also believes that the team’s playoff experience, including the loss, will help them going forward.

“These girls did not enjoy the feeling of losing in the regional final, and I think they’re going to come back more determined and more ready to work, and I think they want it bad as well,” Leach said.

Jensen agrees.

“We’re not done yet,” she said. “We’re striving for better achievements.”

Published May 13, 2015

 

JUNE ATHLETIC CAMPS AT PHSC

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Pasco-Hernando State College will host a series of athletic camps beginning in June.

A boys and girls basketball camp for players ages 7 to 17 will be June 8 to June 10 from 9:30 a.m. until noon. There also will be a special skills session on the same days from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $75 for the general session, $50 for the skills session, or $120 for both.

A boys’ baseball camp for ages 7 to 13 will take place June 8 to June 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $75.

A girls’ fast-pitch softball camp for ages 8-17 will be held June 8-11 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The cost is $65.

Two girls volleyball camps will take place June 15 to June 17. An individual skills session for ages 8 to 8 will be from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There will be a specialty session on the same days from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $100 for each camp, or $175 for both.

All sessions will be at the college’s campus at 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey. For information and to register, visit PHSC.edu/athletics/summer-camps.

GAITHER VOLLEYBALL CAMPS IN JUNE

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Gaither High School will have its 2015 Cowboy Volleyball Camps beginning in June. The middle school camp, which includes incoming ninth-graders, will be from June 8 until July 15, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The high school camp will be from June 9 until July 16, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Camps will be closed June 29 through July 3. The cost is $75 and teaches conditioning, training, drills and skill development. For information, call (813) 975-7340, ext. 535, or email Gaither volleyball coach Tim Boylan at .

WESLEY CHAPEL CHAMBER GOLF TOURNEY MAY 15

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The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host its third annual golf tournament on May 15 at Lake Jovita Golf Club, 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City. The cost is $125 per person or $500 for a foursome. It includes golf, cart, range balls, lunch contests, some beverages and an evening reception. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with lunch at 11:30 a.m., and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. For information, call the chamber office at (813) 994-8534.

Treat mom, save money this weekend

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Mother’s Day is an opportunity to spend quality time with your mom, grandmother, spouse or anyone who best fits that “mother” role.

It’s a day to do something special.

But it’s not a time to be irresponsible with your finances. Sure, you could spend a bunch of money on expensive flowers and take her to a fancy lunch. But what message would you be sending? That you’re not watching your money? That you’re not the kind of person who looks for good deals?

You won't be the only mother-child pair at the zoo on Mother's Day. (Courtesy of Lowry Park Zoo)
You won’t be the only mother-child pair at the zoo on Mother’s Day.
(Courtesy of Lowry Park Zoo)

Mom taught you better than that.

No, if you want to really impress mom, show her that you’re responsible when it comes to your wallet. Show her that you can have a good time and be smart with your money, too. Let her see how much time you spent finding great values that you can both do on a budget.

Actually, you’re not really spending a lot of time looking for deals. You’re just reading this column. But she’ll be impressed either way.

The truth is that you can have a great time with your mom all weekend and save a lot of money. A few different places have Mother’s Day specials that make it easy to spend the weekend doing fun things. Here are some ways you can spend time with mom, without spending a fortune:

  • Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. Mom gets in absolutely free with a paid child or adult admission. You can check out all their regular exhibits that cover areas like astronomy, robotics and other modern technologies. That includes a special exhibit on 3-D printing and a large area called “Disasterville,” which simulates the effects of natural disasters such as tsunamis, tornadoes, earthquakes and volcanoes. They also have “The Amazing You,” “Mission; Moonbase” and other interactive exhibits to keep everyone entertained. Outside they have a butterfly garden and forest preserve, too.

If mom likes science and technology, this is a great place to take her. There’s a lot to do, and it’s always changing. So if you haven’t seen and done everything, put this on your Mother’s Day agenda.

By the way, this deal also includes an IMAX movie and a Planetarium show. That’s a great deal, and saves you around $23.

  • Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. If seeing live animals appeals to mom, she gets in free at the zoo with a child or adult admission. And we have a good zoo in Tampa: “Parents” magazine named Lowry Park Zoo one of the top 10 zoos in the country for kids. And whatever’s good for kids is probably good for moms, too.

The zoo is split up into different areas. Safari Africa and Ituri Forest is the place to see cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and many other animals. At the Asian Gardens and Sulawesi Aviary, there are tigers, crocodiles, komodo dragons and leopards, not to mention more than a dozen bird species at the aviary. There’s also a free-flight aviary with even more birds.

The Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center is not only a place to see underwater animals, but the world’s only nonprofit manatee hospital. Primate World has primates (naturally) and Wallaroo Station has a goat petting station, water play area and koalas.

(The koalas don’t play in the water area, but it would be awfully cute if they did).

The zoo also has regular feedings the public can attend, a special “Spirits of the Sky” show featuring birds of prey, and animal keeper talks throughout the day. It’s a full day of diverse animal exhibits and attractions. And most of it is outside, so if the weather is nice, it’s a great place to walk around. Finally, if you or mom like photography, it’s hard to find a better place to bring the equipment and add to your collection. Plus you save about $28.

  • Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive in Tampa. “Parents” magazine also likes our aquarium, naming it a top-five kid-friendly aquarium. And they have a lot of things to see, and moms are free with a paid admission.

The aquarium is a lot more than giant tanks with fish swimming around. Outside, they have a 2-acre water play area for kids. The Wetlands Trail explores Florida’s ecosystem, while the Journey To Madagascar focuses on the wildlife from that island. They have a giant coral reef exhibit, a special penguin area and a number of shows throughout the day.

Just creating a habitat for all the different types of sea life is impressive.

The aquarium, which has been a part of the area for 20 years, features both educational and interactive exhibits, offering lots of ways to appreciate the thousands of animals and plants that live there.

If you or mom has a special affinity toward the water, this is a great place to take her for Mother’s Day. This special saves you between $22 and $24, depending on where you buy the ticket.

Now, you might think that three fun places is simply too much for just one day. And you’re probably right.

But the great thing about these promotions — aside from saving a lot of money, of course — is that they’re good both Saturday and Sunday. So you can take mom to one of them the first day, and visit the others the next day. Or whatever your schedule will allow.

Besides, why should celebrating mom be limited to just one day? Go ahead and make a weekend of it.

On a budget, of course.

So while other people are emptying their wallets on flowers that will be thrown out in about a week or an expensive lunch that will be forgotten by dinner, you’ll creating a weekend of memories with mom.

Which plan is she more likely to remember?

Besides, if you’re worried about food, McDonald’s usually has a free breakfast for mom on Mother’s Day. It’s not fancy, but it’s just the place to plan out your fun day together, and talk about how much money you’re saving.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Published May 6, 2015

Geocaching is elaborate game of hide and seek

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If you want to visit the Tampa Bay Geocaching Store in Land O’ Lakes, it’s easy to find. Just go to

N 028 13.552

W 082 27.421

And, you’re there.

If using a geographic coordinate system to find a local business seems unusual, it is.

But if you’re geocaching, it’s actually the best way to find where you’re going.

Caches usually have a logbook documenting who found it and when. Elaine Erickson can look through one of her own caches and see a record of how many people have been there. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Caches usually have a logbook documenting who found it and when. Elaine Erickson can look through one of her own caches and see a record of how many people have been there.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

So, as a tribute to the hobby they serve, the store lists its coordinates on its website, along with its traditional address, 4710 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Geocaching isn’t easy to describe by comparing it to other outdoor activities.

Part treasure hunt, part sightseeing trek and part community bonding experience, it’s a game you can play close to home or just about anywhere in the world.

“It’s fun to do and gives you a chance to get out of the house, get into nature and see different things,” said Elaine Erickson, owner of the Tampa Bay Geocaching Store.

Erickson has found around 1,200 caches from more than a dozen states during the last seven years, and she never tires of the thrill of finding a new one.

Participants leave small geocaches (waterproof containers) at random locations across the planet. They’re hidden, but only to people who aren’t geocaching. The goal is to make them available to other players, so they post the coordinates on list sites and mobile phone apps used by those who want to find them. Players then input those coordinates, and after a little snooping, usually find the geocache and the logbook that’s placed inside. The logbook reveals how often the site has been visited and how far people have traveled to find it. And, once you find the geocache, you can record your name in the logbook.

There’s also usually a small prize associated with finding a geocache.

It’s customary to take an inexpensive trinket from the site when you find it, and leave a small trinket for the next person who finds it. The items can be as creative as the locations in which they’re found.

There are a few rules, though.

For instance, you can’t plant them on private property and you can’t place them near a school or anywhere else where activity near the cache may prompt concerns about suspicious behavior.

You can’t litter, either. In fact, many geocachers take the time to clean up litter in the cache area when they see it. It’s part of the community philosophy, Erickson explained.

Not surprisingly, geocaching took hold only when technology allowed everyday people to find specific locations across the globe with relative ease.

In the past 15 years, it’s grown to include millions of people around the world, with several websites and clubs devoted to playing.

There are more guidelines and details, and it’s not surprising that it’s unfamiliar territory for many people.

“I get people all the time coming in here going, what’s geocasing?” Erickson said, noting their inability to pronounce the hobby’s name. People also think it has something to do with rocks, she said.

To help explain things better, Erickson is hosting a free geocaching class on May 9 at her location from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. She’ll go over the basics, answer questions and even take the group to their first cache.

She’s hopeful that new geocachers come out of the group and participate in the activity. Erickson goes geocaching with friends and on her own, sometimes finding just one in a day and other times dozens — her record is more than 50.

It’s a pursuit that appeals to people of all age groups, abilities and schedules, and is only limited by a person’s free time and interest in looking.

“It’s a family friendly activity,” she said. “Anybody can do it.”

For more information about geocaching or the free class, call (813) 335-6787 or visit TampaBayGeocaching.biz.

Published May 6, 2015

 

Four Sunlake athletes choose college teams

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Four different athletes. Four different sports. Four different colleges.

And one very proud high school.

From left, Jake Roberts, Logan Wolfe, Cobi Shirmohammad and Justin Pipes all signed on with colleges at a ceremony at Sunlake High School on April 30. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
From left, Jake Roberts, Logan Wolfe, Cobi Shirmohammad and Justin Pipes all signed on with colleges at a ceremony at Sunlake High School on April 30.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“Seeing them sign to continue their sports career while they’re continuing their education — it’s like the best thing,” said Sunlake High School athletic director Reesa Pledge. Pledge helped moderate a special signing event in the school’s gymnasium on April 30, where four students earned praise from their coaches and cheers from their friends and families.

And then they signed commitments to play their sport of choice at the next level.

Basketball at PHSC
Justin Pipes wasn’t thinking about college basketball when he started playing the game at age 6. But now that it’s his future, he feels grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m just truly blessed,” Pipes said.

He’s blessed with a full scholarship to Pasco-Hernando State College, and blessed with talent at the shooting guard position.

But he’s aware that the competition is tougher at the college level than what he faced during high school.

To prepare for the extra difficulty, he’s already making some changes to prepare for his college career.

For instance, he’s hitting the gym every day to put on 20 pounds or more of muscle as he prepares to face bigger and faster players, and to take advantage of opportunities to score for his new team.

But the opportunities in the classroom are also important to Pipes.

He plans to study business in the classroom even as he studies his opponents on the court. He chose PHSC because they have a strong program, and he’s looking forward to the task of facing college-level players and matching his growing skills against theirs.

“It’s a challenge, but I’m willing to face that challenge and make myself better as a person, and as a player,” he said.

Golf at Trinity Baptist College
Jake Roberts’ golf swing is taking him to the next level. He enjoys the pressure — and the risk — that comes with an individual sport like golf.

“I like it better than team sports, because if you mess up it’s all on yourself. It’s no one else’s fault,” Roberts said.

It’s also on the individual when they succeed, and Roberts’ talents will bring him to Jacksonville’s Trinity Baptist College on a partial scholarship. Now he’ll face longer, harder courses than he tackled in high school. Roberts plans to face them by focusing on his own improvement, spending hours practicing and working with a personal trainer to stay in shape.

He’ll study sports management in college, and would like to consider broadcasting opportunities as well. But he won’t be thinking much about his college competition. The key to his success has been managing his own game rather than his opponents on any given day.

“I just think about myself. I don’t ever think about anybody else. I just think about playing the course every day,” Roberts said.

Football at Southeastern University
Logan Wolfe was a standout fullback and outside linebacker at Sunlake, and he’ll be playing football for Southeast University in Lakeland.

But not at either of those positions. He’ll be playing safety.

“It’s exciting,” Wolfe said about his new job on the gridiron. “Safety’s a position I’ve always wanted to play because my idols like Sean Taylor (the Washington Redskins player who passed away in 2007) and Ed Reed (longtime Baltimore Raven) played safety. So it’s pretty exciting to get a chance to play what they played.”

To play that position, he’s adding some weight in order to match up better with the competition.

His eventual goal is to become a firefighter. But until then, Wolfe will be playing defense at the college level.

That might be intimidating to some incoming freshmen, but he feels like the Seahawks’ football success has prepared him well to tackle the new challenge. The coaches worked him and his teammates hard, he said, and they expect a lot out of each player. He might not have realized it at the time, but it got him ready for the next stage of his career.

“I did not know that it would prepare me to play at this level, but now I realize all the stuff they did, and I’m forever grateful for all my coaches and what they did for me,” Wolfe said.

Soccer at Corning Community College
Cobi Shirmohammad’s first long journey is an important one. He’ll be attending Corning Community College in New York.

“I’ve lived here for 18 years, and I’ve actually never been on a plane before, so it’s going to be a trip,” Shirmohammad said.

Just getting back on the pitch will be a trip for the midfielder/striker, since he’s been out of commission since breaking his collarbone in the state semifinal. He’s already back up to 95 percent movement and was cleared to play a couple of weeks ago, which is just a few months after the injury. The time of the field hurt in terms of not getting in time with the Rangers, his club team. But it did let him focus on studying which college opportunity would be right for him, getting his schoolwork in order and taking care of business away from the game. In college he plans on studying sports medicine.

Now that he’s ready to return, he plans on making sure his stamina and conditioning are up to par, especially since he’ll be dealing with a colder climate. But he’s excited about playing college soccer, and hopes his community college time turns into another opportunity at a four-year school.

“I think it should take me to the next level after this to complete my college career, and hopefully move forward from there,” Shirmohammad said.

Published May 6, 2015

SUNLAKE CHEER CLINIC IN JUNE

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The Little Seahawk Cheer Clinic, for elementary and middle school students, will be June 17 and June 18 at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Attendees will receive a T-shirt and will have an opportunity to cheer with the varsity cheerleaders during the first quarter of the Seahawks’ first home football game of the season. Funds raised will go toward purchasing uniforms for the school’s cheerleading squad. The clinic will be both days from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $25 per session, or $45 for both. For information, email head cheerleading coach Pennye Garcia at .

Meals On Wheels keeps delivering for East Pasco

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East Pasco Meals on Wheels attracts a lot of good people to the cause of preparing and delivering meals to the homes of those who need them.

The group includes hardworking and community-minded volunteers, and is led by a former postmaster.

“I just prayed that God would put me somewhere I could be used. When this (opportunity) opened, it was ideal for me,” said Beth Aker, who left her position as postmaster of the Saint Leo post office a few months ago to take the position of executive director.

These Meals On Wheels ‘doghouses’ are receptacles stationed throughout Zephyrhills where residents can bring recyclables for the organization. The recycling helps fund the organization’s operations, which are approaching $200,000 a year. (Courtesy of East Pasco Meals on Wheels)
These Meals On Wheels ‘doghouses’ are receptacles stationed throughout Zephyrhills where residents can bring recyclables for the organization. The recycling helps fund the organization’s operations, which are approaching $200,000 a year.
(Courtesy of East Pasco Meals on Wheels)

Aker was already familiar with the organization, since she had volunteered for them in the past.

In her new role, she’s tasked with trying to expand the program, reach people who need their services and raise enough money to keep things running smoothly.

Achieving those goals starts with education, Aker said.

Many people think Meals On Wheels is just for the invalid or homebound.

They do serve people in those situations.

But they also serve many people who temporarily prefer to have a meal delivered.

People in that category include individuals recovering from surgery or recovering from the loss of a spouse.

If there’s a need, Meals On Wheels can deliver each weekday for just $4 a meal.

There’s a board-reviewed program that considers financial hardship cases as well.

Another misconception is the type of food they deliver. These aren’t simple, frozen meals cobbled together from donations.

Considerable care goes into making sure customers get a variety of meals, and they’re never frozen.

“Our meals are cooked fresh every single day here,” Aker said. “Every meal comes home-cooked.”

A recent menu offered barbecue pulled pork, potato salad and baked beans one day, and sliced ham with oven-roasted potatoes and applesauce on the next. They also come with other sides and a dessert.

Meals On Wheels also makes accommodations for dietary restrictions for vegetarians and those with diabetes or allergies.

It also provides a varied menu.

Customers might go two months without seeing the same meal repeated, Aker said.

Each day the organization serves between 110 and 120 meals, with that number dropping a bit when the snowbirds leave town. Serving that many meals around lunchtime is a challenging task, and Meals On Wheels relies on a team of volunteers to make sure the meals get to their intended recipients in time.

Two of those volunteers drive their route together.

After 63 years of marriage, Dick and Kate Rudnicki are used to doing things as a team. They’re retired, but still enjoy doing one route a week, and sometimes more when Meals On Wheels is short-staffed.

“We like to volunteer, and we know people need things. It’s something we enjoy doing,” Dick said. On a busy day they’ve delivered as many as 21 meals, starting in the late morning and finishing up around noon.

The Rudnickis are from Michigan, and were snowbirds until recently, when they decided to become full-time residents. They’ve been volunteering for Meals On Wheels for years, and believe it’s an important service for many people in the area.

“I think it’s a great organization,” Dick said. “It really serves a desperate need.”

Serving that need is valuable, and it’s also expensive. Operating costs approach $200,000 per year, and the East Pasco chapter doesn’t get any state or government funds. Their money comes from donations from individuals and businesses, and a recycling program that allows residents to donate what they would leave on the curb anyway.

East Pasco Meals on Wheels has receptacles (they call them “doghouses”) in various locations around the Zephyrhills area, including parks. Residents who are interested in donating to their cause can leave cardboard, aluminum cans and newspapers, which will then be picked up by the organization. Meals On Wheels receives the proceeds from those recyclables.

That money goes to help fund their day-to-day operations, which they hope to expand in the future.

There’s a need for expansion.

Meals On Wheels has had to turn away people in the Wesley Chapel area because they don’t have the volunteers to serve them.

And, if they have to turn away people who need their meals, Aker feels like they’re not doing their job.

“Everything that we do, we hope to grow to be able to help more people,” she said. “Because there is such a need out there for lots of different reasons.”

And when those needs are met, the people who receive meals are very grateful.

The Rudnickis, who are in their 80s, plan to keep continue delivering meals as long as they’re able.

Part of the satisfaction of volunteering, Kate said, is the response they receive from customers.

“You get hugs and you get thanks, and it’s very rewarding,” she said.

East Pasco Meals On Wheels is located at 38145 15th Ave., in Zephyrhills. The organization is always in need of driver and kitchen help. For more information, call (813) 782-2793.

Published April 29, 2015

Thai fighting traditions in Land O’ Lakes

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Muay Thai is a combat sport, and elements of it can be seen in popular mixed martial arts competitions on television. But at KOH Muay Thai, 6450 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., students get an appreciation for the sport that’s very different from televised battles.

“You don’t see people disrespect their opponents,” said head trainer Ben Marrs, who is also co-owner of KOH Muay Thai. “There’s no trash-talking. If you knock your opponent out, you go see if he’s OK. You bow to him. If you have a good fight with someone, win or lose, you always show respect.”

Head trainer Ben Marrs adjusts the equipment of Raef Toler during a Muay Thai workout session. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Head trainer Ben Marrs adjusts the equipment of Raef Toler during a Muay Thai workout session.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Marrs teaches Muay Thai the way he learned it: With the principles and customs that come straight from Thailand. His first trainer was from Thailand, and Marrs himself spent a great deal of time there, competing and learning the discipline from the place where it originated.

While KOH Muay Thai has a ring where competitions can take place, most of their students don’t actually fight there. They have to earn the ability to spar, and most of them are there for fitness and the self-defense benefits. And those benefits can be pretty significant according to Marrs.

“You can leave here in one class and take something away from it that will help you for the rest of your life. One class,” he said.

Most students, of course, take more than one class. They become regulars.

That includes his business partner’s son. Co-owner Melisa Philange put her son, Owen Male, into a Muay Thai program after she felt he wasn’t progressing in a different martial art.

Even though her son is just 6 years old, Philange is happy with what he’s gained from it.

“It’s fantastic. I love it. He does so well. He has a nice sense of respect for himself.”

Learning Muay Thai, and the traditions that go with it, is good for young people, and can also help with problems associated with bullying, Philange said.

KOH Muay Thai is something people of all ages can learn and practice.

One of the teens involved is Raef Toler. He didn’t originally see himself as someone who would become heavily involved in martial arts. But now that he’s found Muay Thai, he’s hooked.

“I was anxious at first, but when I got in here I was like, you know what? This is something I really love to do,” Toler said.

The Land O’ Lakes High School junior now comes by at least twice a week after school, both for self-defense purposes and for an intense workout. After just a few weeks, he’s excited about his progress and is interested in fighting on an amateur basis.

Whether someone wants to start competing or simply wants to get in better shape, another philosophy they honor is the concept of togetherness.

“It becomes like a family,” Marrs said. For him, that often includes cooking for a class that meets on Saturdays, preparing authentic Thai cuisine that he studied while overseas.

But Marrs’ main passion is teaching, and after achieving the lofty rank of Kru Yai (assistant master) earlier this month, he’s in even better position to see his students transition into healthier, happier people.

“That’s the best part. I watch people who join, they come in, and I watch their body change in four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks. And they feel so good about themselves,” he said.

And for Philange, she’s happy to bring authentic Muay Thai to an area that has martial arts academies, but nothing as dedicated to the philosophy and spirituality of this particular discipline.

“There’s nothing like it,” said Philange, who also lives in Land O’ Lakes. “It brings culture to our community.”

KOH Muay Thai has a current promotion where students can take their first class for free. For more information, call (941) 713-1257.

Published April 29, 2015